I took the course, "The Book of Hebrews and its Reliance on the Old Testament," which so excited me by its perception and thought-provoking suggestions that I formed my own study group at home to discuss it.
Susan Alexander, Portales, NM
I am an undergraduate student at Trinity Southwest University and I am taking all of my courses from a distance with BibleInteract. My Academic Advisor is Dr. Davis, and she has been very helpful.
Lorraine Wilson, Kerrville, TX |
|
1. What are "ancient methods"? |
| |
Ancient methods are best explained by first comparing them with modern methods.
- Modern Scientific Methods of Bible Study are now common. We search for the "historical Jesus" by examining the New Testament for evidence of editing that combines various sources. The oldest source, we theorize, reveals the "real Jesus."
- Modern Conservative Reactions against this historical critical method have spawned an approach to Bible study that assumes an inspired and unified text. Not only does this encourage sola scriptura (only the Bible) but also sensus literalis (only the literal meaning, which is viewed as the"one truth").
- The Unfortunate Result has been two diametrically opposed methods of Bible study whose proponents frequently argue and rarely dialogue.
- What We Have Lost is an ability to view the depth and meaning of Scripture as the ancient Israelites would have perceived it, the very people who composed Scripture and who originally received it.
- Ancient Methods of Bible Study are re-created ancient methods of searching the Scriptures for depth of meaning that applies to real and practical life situations. People in the first century (at the time of Jesus) believed that God had placed everything in Scripture that mankind would ever need to know. If an answer was not in the plain or simple words (that is, the literal meaning), there were methods to penetrate the depth of Scripture for deeper levels of understanding. After all, if the infinite God was the author, then the depth and richnes of Scripture would be infinite also.
Return to top
|
| |
2. How did BibleInteract come to know about (and recreate) these methods? |
| |
A significant number of ancient Hebraic sources date from approximately 200 BCE - 100 CE.
- Second Temple Literature includes the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha
- The Talmud refers to ancient methods of searching the Hebrew Scriptures for deeper meaning but one must ask, "Do these later sources (ca. 200-600 CE) truly reflect the first century?" We respond, "If one can see these methods being used in the earlier sources, then the record in the Talmud must be reliable."
- These methods Are Evident in the Second Temple Literature. As for the early rabbinic sources in the Talmud, we have found these to have recorded only the results of these methods (i.e. legal rulings) and to have developed and modified beyond the methods of the first century. The New Testament, on the other hand, exhibits ample evidence of these ancient methods as well as the mechanics of how they operated.
Return to top
|
| 3. Since these methods are "ancient," are they applicable today? If not, why? If so, how? |
The real question is this. "Is all of Scripture applicable today?" The people at the time of Jesus certainly believed it was. As we re-capture an understanding of how the people of the ancient world viewed Scripture, we begin to answer this question as they did. "Yes, all of Scripture is applicable to all people at all times." As the people at the time of Jesus used methods to search the Scriptures for answers to all of their questions, so can we. The goal then, and now, is to walk in the ways of God.
Return to top |
| 4. How can a serious student of Scripture learn about these methods? |
BibleInteract uses the ancient Hebraic approach to teaching, which is quite different from our modern tradition that is Greek in its origin.
- Do you recognize the teacher (or preacher) who stands in front of the group (sometimes elevated)?
- Have you been part of the group that listens, perhaps takes some notes, and goes away with "greater knowledge"?
- That is Greek, not Hebraic.
BibleInteract teaches you how to search the Scriptures with ancient Hebraic "eyes and ears" and the penetrate the depth of Scripture with ancient Hebraic methods. You will learn to become curious, to ask questions, and to work with a study partner or small group in order to dialogue, to search, to penetrate, and to apply.
Return to top |
| 5. Can any serious student apply these methods to his/her study of Scripture? |
You do not need to know the original languages (although knowing them will allow you to go even deeper).
- All of the BibleInteract materials operate these ancient methods so you can experience others working with them.
- BibleInteract offers several introductory Courses and Mini-Lectures that explain these ancient methods and demonstrate how to use them.
- The Discussion Forum operates these ancient methods. If you are a member of BibleInteract, we welcome you to participate in a Discussion Forum. If not, you can view our member comments in the Discussion Forum.
- Become a member of BibleInteract and join our interactive website.
Return to top
|
| 6. Does applying these methods affect practical application of Scripture to one's life? If so, how? |
It certainly does. People in the ancient world typically knew the Scriptures by heart and these sacred texts became an integral part of their lives. They did not turn to Scripture for "head knowledge" (that is a Greek concept) but for practical advice to practical problems. They believed God had placed everything in Scripture they would ever need to know. Their goal was to walk in the ways of God.
Return to top |
| 7. "Deeper understanding" of Scripture seems to be connected to the application of these methods. How can a student of Scripture be certain that "deeper understanding" relates to truth rather than falsehood? |
BibleInteract encourages serious students of Scripture to first explore the New Testament for passages that use ancient methods of searching the Hebrew Scriptures for deeper meaning. How does one identify these passages? Look for citations and allusions to the Old Testament. These may be a prooftext (the author makes a point and cites Scripture to support it). We used to think they were all prooftexts, but we are now learning that many (perhaps most) are using ancient methods to search the Scriptures (the Hebrew Scriptures, that is, since the New Testament had not yet been written).
BibleInteract encourages you to consider this question. If the original audience heard a deeper meaning behind the literal words, is it not incumbent upon us to hear that also?
However, we offer a word of caution. Until you thoroughly understand the ancient methods and can recognize their use and resulting meaning in Scripture, we do not recommend that you try to duplicate what the ancient authors were doing, namely, extracting your own deeper levels of meaning from Scripture. But don't let that discourage you because all of Scripture is filled with deep and rich meaning behind the literal words that the original audience heard in the words of Scripture itself. And so can you hear and understand once you learn how to listen.
Return to top |
| |
