Possible Approaches to Good Bible Reading
At this point I am not discussing the unique techniques of interpreting specific genres but general hermeneutical principles valid for all types of biblical texts. A good book for genre-specific approaches is How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, published by Zondervan.
My methodology focuses initially on the reader allowing the Holy Spirit to illumine the Bible through four personal reading cycles. This makes the Spirit, the text and the reader primary, not secondary. This also protects the reader from being unduly influenced by commentators. I have heard it said: “The Bible throws a lot of light on commentaries.” This is not meant to be a depreciating comment about study aids, but rather a plea for an appropriate timing for their use.
We must be able to support our interpretations from the text itself. Five areas provide at least limited verification:
(1) historical setting
(2) literary context
(3) grammatical structures (syntax)
(4) contemporary word usage
(5) relevant parallel passages
(6) genre
We need to be able to provide the reasons and logic behind our interpretations. The Bible is our only source for faith and practice. Sadly, Christians often disagree about what it teaches or affirms.
The four reading cycles are designed to provide the following interpretive insights:
(1) The first reading cycle
(a) Read the book in a single sitting. Read it again in a different translation, hopefully from a different translation theory
(i) word-for-word (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
(ii) dynamic equivalent (TEV, JB)
(iii) paraphrase (Living Bible, Amplified Bible)
(b) Look for the central purpose of the entire writing. Identify its theme.
(c) Isolate (if possible) a literary unit, a chapter, a paragraph or a sentence which clearly expresses this central purpose or theme.
(d) Identify the predominant literary genre
(i) Old Testament
1) Hebrew narrative
2) Hebrew poetry (wisdom literature, psalm)
3) Hebrew prophecy (prose, poetry)
4) Law codes
(ii) New Testament
1) Narratives (Gospels, Acts)
2) Parables (Gospels)
3) Letters/epistles
4) Apocalyptic literature
(2) The second reading cycle
(a) Read the entire book again, seeking to identify major topics or subjects.
(b) Outline the major topics and briefly state their contents in a simple statement.
(c) Check your purpose statement and broad outline with study aids.
(3) The third reading cycle
(a) Read the entire book again, seeking to identify the historical setting and specific occasion for the writing from the Bible book itself.
(b) List the historical items that are mentioned in the Bible book
(i) the author
(ii) the date
(iii) the recipients
(iv) the specific reason for writing
(v) aspects of the cultural setting that relate to the purpose of the writing
(iv) references to historical people and events
(c) Expand your outline to paragraph level for that part of the biblical book you are interpreting. Always identify and outline the literary unit. This may be several chapters or paragraphs. This enables you to follow the original author’s logic and textual design.
(d) Check your historical setting by using study aids.
(4) The fourth reading cycle
(a) Read the specific literary unit again in several translations
(i) word-for-word (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
(ii) dynamic equivalent (TEV, JB)
(iii) paraphrase (Living Bible, Amplified Bible)
(b) Look for literary or grammatical structures
(i) repeated phrases, Eph. 1:6, 12, 13
(ii) repeated grammatical structures, Rom. 8:31
(iii) contrasting concepts
(c) List the following items
(i) significant terms
(ii) unusual terms
(iii) important grammatical structures
(iv) particularly difficult words, clauses, and sentences
(d) Look for relevant parallel passages
(i) look for the clearest teaching passage on your subject using
a) “systematic theology” books
b) reference Bibles
c) concordances
(ii) Look for a possible paradoxical pair within your subject. Many biblical truths are presented in dialectical pairs; many denominational conflicts come from proof-texting half of a biblical tension. All of the Bible is inspired, and we must seek out its complete message in order to provide a Scriptural balance to our interpretation.
(iii) Look for parallels within the same book, same author or same genre; the Bible is its own best interpreter because it has one author, the Spirit.
(e) Use study aids to check your observations of historical setting and occasion
(i) study Bibles
(ii) Bible encyclopedias, handbooks and dictionaries
(iii) Bible introductions
(iv) Bible commentaries (at this point in your study, allow the believing community, past and present, to aid and correct your personal study.)
Robert James Utley, The Beloved Disciple’s Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John, vol. Volume 4, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999), iv–vi.