Hey friends! It’s been a while since I last posted a newsletter - my apologies for that. It’s good to be back and I’m excited for today’s topic! It is actually something I have been wanting to talk about for quite a long time now.
One of the most important things to be intentional about as Christians is the Bible. We get to know God through scripture and get to understand the plans He calls us to. But it can be quite confusing and overwhelming to understand how to approach scripture.
My church did a series a while back where they spoke about how to ‘chew on the word of God'. Part of what we discussed was how important knowing context is in order to understand the meaning of scripture. This was not something I had really heard anyone share before and it is not the first thing that is spoken about when we discuss how to read the Bible.
Today I want to share what I learned from that sermon because it was really helpful. I will have some links to resources, including this sermon, below.
One of the main points that was emphasised by my pastor was that scripture does not have different meanings for different people, but it can be applied differently.
scripture does not have different meanings for different people, but it can be applied differently.
All scripture in the Bible has one true meaning that God intended it to have. It cannot be twisted into what we think it means. This is why it is really important to consult trusted resources when studying the Bible.
So what type of context is necessary?
Historical Context
The Bible was written in completely different time period to the one we live in and to a different audience. Their way of life was completely different to way of life. There are many references in the Bible to the specific circumstances they found themselves in that we do not inherently understand. In the same breath, we were not the direct recipients of any text in the Bible. It was all either written to the Israelites, as personal reflections, the early churches, or someone specific like Timothy.
So the context we should look for when reading any book in the Bible is:
The author of the book? (It isn’t always the title name of the book)
Who was the book initially written to?
What was the culture and setting it was written in?
Why was it written?
How it fits in to the overarching story of Jesus Christ.
One of the resources I find really helpful to give me a general overview of each book is The Bible Project. They have videos that answer all these questions and help you understand the overall message and purpose of the each book in the Bible.
Theological Context
When we read scripture, it is important for us to do so through the lens of knowing who God is and how much we need Him. Some points to focus on are:
Knowing what the character of the Father is
The short falling of human nature
Christ and the redemptive work He has done on the cross
What His work means for us and our future
It comes down to knowing His character, our character and God’s plan for us (His plans that have happened - the cross - and the plans He still has for us - eternity).
When we read the Bible with an understanding of the One it is about, we can understand it much better and apply it correctly to our lives.
Literary Context
If you were to begin reading a novel, you probably wouldn’t open it up on a random page and read random snippets from the book. You wouldn’t understand anything about the story or characters. Instead, you would open up to page 1 and read continuously from the start until the end of the book to get the whole picture.
It is the same with the Bible.
We can go so much deeper into scripture when we read through a full book of the Bible rather than trying to pick verses out of it.
Similarly, when we quote from books, we do so to summarise a bigger message or picture that was portrayed in the book. We quote because we can’t necessarily repeat an entire passage or chapter that covers the point you are trying to make.
In the same way, if scripture is being quoted, it is important that it is applied in the same context in which it initially appears.
There are many examples of popularly quoted verses that are not actually applied correctly. One of them is so common I was quite shocked when we discussed its true meaning:
Philippians 4:13 says “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” This is often used by sportsmen as they compete or as encouragement in challenging circumstances.
If you read the preceding verses, though, you will discover that this verse doesn’t actually speak towards being capable of doing every possible or impossible thing. It is actually about contentment and financial circumstances.
Philippians 4:12-13 “In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content - wether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Quite crazy right! And such a good example of the importance of context.
So what are some practical steps you can start taking be intentional about reading scripture in context?
In your daily quiet time, read a full book in a Bible instead of focusing on random passages. Usually I will read about a chapter per day but it depends on what works best for you.
If this is something you already do, the next step could be to read the entire Bible from beginning to end. I have been slowly working my way through the Old Testament and it has been giving me such incredible understanding into the words of the New Testament.
Consult reliable resources that talk about the context of scripture.
If you want to quote a scripture or hear a verse quoted, at minimum, go to that scripture and read what is written before and after it. It is also great to actually research the context of the book it is in and all the questions on the historical questions above.
Some sources to help you out:
The sermon this is based on: https://youtu.be/NBwC57r3UE4?si=iKxUMU6_dUfehRjn
The Bible Project for historical context: https://bibleproject.com/videos/
Enduring word for theological and literary context: https://enduringword.com/#commentary
I pray this newsletter will help you to navigate the Word of God better and give you deeper understanding into the loving message of the Gospel.
Have a great rest of your week and we’ll chat again soon,
Cailyn xx
