By Peter Krol
Mike Leake shows us why context matters in the letter of 2 Corinthians. Some might see a universal principle in 2 Cor 12:14: “Children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” But the historical, logical, literary, and biblical contexts show us the limited scope of what Paul meant.
Leake does a great job showing us how to approach the text of Scripture with caution and care for the context.
By Peter Krol
If you’ve been persuaded not to skip the Bible’s genealogies, you might still wonder what to do with them. And Scott Slayton has just the help you need. In his article “How Do I Deal with the Genealogies?” he offers three suggestions:
Questions 2 and 3 are useful in helping us to reflect on the theological benefit of any genealogy, but I find question 1 most helpful when working through a book. Remember that the genealogy is not a waste of words. It’s not as though the author had nothing useful to say, and so he decided to throw in a list of names. No, the author is making a case for something; he’s trying to move his audience to action. And the genealogy helps advance his agenda. We must observe the genealogy carefully to uncover what that agenda is.
Though Slayton addresses his article to pastors, his suggestions are just as fitting for any teacher or student of the Scripture.
By Peter Krol
As a follow-up to last week’s post on the metaphor of the bruised reed in Is 42:1-4 and Matt 12:15-21, here is an article I wrote for Desiring God. Here is a taste:
The metaphor seems self-evident. “Bruised reeds are people who are broken and needy, people worn out and tired and exhausted with life’s circumstances, people neglected by the world, but accepted by Jesus.” We casually toss the phrase out like a trump-suit ace impervious to counter-play. No need to explain; just assert: “Jesus never broke a bruised reed.”
But have you considered why the reed doesn’t get broken? Look at the text carefully, and you might find you’ve become a little too familiar with this biblical phrase and perhaps have missed a profound point. In fact, hastily assuming the “what” may have obscured your insight into the “why”…
We rightly marvel at Jesus’s deep compassion. We rightly delight in his commitment to the down-and-out of society, and we rightly long to imitate his works of service and provision. We rightly praise the one who brought hope and healing to those who had none.
But is the point of the bruised reed image Jesus’s compassion? Should we identify weak, lowly, or otherwise hurting people as the “bruised reeds” who weren’t — and thus shouldn’t be — “broken”? Interpreting the metaphor this way is often assumed rather than argued, but perhaps we’ve grown too familiar with it and should take another look.
By Peter Krol
J.A. Medders understands the temptation to skip boring parts of the Bible, such as genealogies, even in his preaching. But he advises us not to do it. Why?
Medders has some needed encouragement to help us better align our hopes with God’s priorities. And I agree. Each year, as I commit to reading the genealogies along with the rest of the Scriptures, I find myself appreciating them more each time. Medders concludes:
[Genealogies] remind us about a list of names where you are listed. Right now, in Heaven, the Lamb’s Book of Life is filled with the names of those who would be redeemed by the blood of Jesus. And if you believe in the risen Lord, your name is on a page—and it’s written in ink older than the earth (Rev. 17:8). You aren’t listed in Exodus 6 or Matthew 1, but you are listed in Heaven, in a genealogy of Christ’s brothers and sisters.
Check it out!
By Peter Krol
In his second video on what “meaning” means, John Piper gives another reason why “meaning” is what the author intended to communicate through a text. This video takes the famous Golden Rule of Jesus and applies it to the act of reading. Do unto authors what you would have other readers do unto you as an author.
By Peter Krol
In a recent Look at the Book video, John Piper clarifies what we mean when we talk about the Bible’s “meaning.” According to Piper:
The meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate with his words.
The key idea is that meaning comes from the author, not the reader. In particular, the meaning of a text is NOT:
These beliefs arise from thinking that meaning comes from the reader, not the author.
Piper explains what he means, and then he gives examples of how the Bible assumes this definition of “meaning.” It is very important that we understand this as we come to study any passage of Scripture.
By Peter Krol
I’ve made a page listing all the “Context Matters” posts I’ve written so far. You can find it here, or navigate to it from the menu anytime (OIA Method > Examples > Context Matters). I will keep this updated as I add new posts to the series.
By Peter Krol
Whether you are a parent teaching your children, a small group leader, a Sunday school teacher, or a pastor, how can you strive for excellence? Professionals pursue continuing education, athletes need personal training, and academics submit to peer review. What does excellence look like for Bible teachers?
According to Andrew Hess, Bible teachers must develop 8 habits if they want to endure in bringing honor God in their teaching. The 8 habits are:
I appreciate Hess’s decision to call these “habits” and not “tips” or “behaviors.” The habits on this typically feel mundane, but the cumulative effect they will have over a lifetime would be difficult to overstate. Read Hess’s article to see why.
Check it out!
By Peter Krol
Gentle Reformation has a stimulating post with “Ten Short Truths About the Shortest Psalm.” The post gives much of the historical and biblical context for this psalm to help us understand it better. Though Psalm 117 has only 2 verses, much of the Bible’s teaching is contained within.
By Peter Krol
If we can’t focus on anything, we won’t be able to focus when it’s time to read the Bible. Along those lines, Scott Slayton has a few suggestions well worth considering:
Slayton fleshes out these principles in his blog post. They sound like simple principles, but in his blog post, Slayton presents some challenging applications that are worth considering.
Check it out!
