Vintage21 Church

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

Owners night this month, 3/25/08, will continue the theme "taking responsibility for your spiritual growth." We will focus this month on studying Scripture and how to apply it to our lives. It will be a time where I show you how I study the Bible through commentaries, manuscript study, word study, what questions I ask, how I apply it to my culture and more importantly how it applies to me. Please ask your friends to come as this will be a helpful night for anyone! Post here with any questions.
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Pastor Tyler

Sharon Butler · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 28

sweet! i'll look forward to it.

sha a/k/a sharon b
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well-behaved women rarely make history.

Eric Butler · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 56

Is this where you wanted me to put up the quiz we discussed?

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

I think so--honestly, I cannot remember the survey's exact content. If you think this is a good place for it, post away. Thanks buddy,
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Pastor Tyler

Hao · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 29

Tyler,

this Owner's Night is a great time to plug the Journey 202 class: Entering the Story of God, the Study of Scripture that will be taught by Jarred starting April 28th. Sounds like it'll be going right along with what you're teaching that night.

thanks and go Mt. St. Mary's!!!

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

Hao, your sin --go Mount St. Mary's-- is blinding and makes it impossible to read your post. Could you please repent and re-type...
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Pastor Tyler

Jon Beauchaine · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Raleigh

Tyler,

Could you post on here a list of those books you mentioned during the "Studying the Bible" talk? Actually, if you wanted to list those online sites and the various types of Bibles too, that would great as well. And besides the obvious choice of Amazon.com, where are some good places to purchase these things (online and/or retail stores)?
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CAD Tech jon b.

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

I need to post 2 corrections from last night's Owner's talk. They will also be added to the online pdf notes so we get the word out. Thanks:

1) I said Apocrypha a few times but I was meaning Apocalyptic.
--Apocrypha is a section in the Catholic Bible that Protestant Bibles did not include for historical reliability reasons. Apocalyptic is a genre of books in the Scriptures including Revelation, Daniel and Ezekiel.

2) It has been brought to my attention that the ESV, English Standard Version, is actually a Literal Translation of Scripture. Here is a section from their website:

The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on “word-for-word” correspondence, at the same time taking into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original.

In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed a “thought-for-thought” rather than “word-for-word” translation philosophy, emphasizing “dynamic equivalence” rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A “thought-for-thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.

Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between “formal equivalence” in expression and “functional equivalence” in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Within this framework we have sought to be “as literal as possible” while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence.

Let me know if you have any questions.
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Pastor Tyler

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

One of the websites that I mentioned last night was www.studylight.org. In the left column, after you scroll down, there is a link titled Interlinear Bible. This will allow you to study the Greek and Hebrew languages--simply type the desired passage in and the original language and English will come up on the same page. After you type in the passage, it asks you what source you would like to use so, I have posted a brief description of each of the available dictionaries below. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hebrew:

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia - "BHS is widely regarded (by Christians and Jews alike) as an accurate edition of the Hebrew scriptures, and a useful text-critical tool. It is the most widely used edition among biblical scholars. The text of BHS is an exact copy (barring a handful of errors) of the masoretic text as recorded in the Leningrad Codex."

Septuagint - "The Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, translated in stages between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC in Alexandria. The word septuaginta means seventy in Latin and derives from a tradition that seventy (or seventy-two) Jewish scholars translated the Pentateuch (Torah) from Hebrew into Greek for Ptolemy II Philadelphus, 285–246 BC. Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament quoted from the Old Greek."

Greek:

Nestle-Aland 26 Greek Text - "the Latin name of a Greek language version of the New Testament, also known as the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament after the scholars who led the critical editing work. It is the basis of most contemporary New Testament translations, as well as being the standard for academic work in New Testament studies." (Zhubert.com is based on this text)

1894 Textus Receptus - "the succession of printed Greek texts of the New Testament which constituted the translation base for the original German Luther Bible, for the translation of the New Testament into English by William Tyndale, the King James Version, and for most other Reformation-era New Testament translations throughout Western and Central Europe."

The last one is the 1991 Byzantine Greek Text. This website explains that form:
http://www.rpbyztxt.com/
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Pastor Tyler

Whitney Chambers · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 24

Last night's info was really great, and I enjoyed hearing it. Thanks, Tyler!

I went to Mojoe's for dinner afterwards, and had good discussion about it with the girls there with me. One thing that stuck out to me most is how the points of focus (themes/specifics, exegesis & hermeneutics) set it up so that I can linger over the same passage of text for quite awhile before leaving it. That contrasts with how in the past I've been too quick to say to myself: "OK, that verse contains this bit of truth. Awesome, got it, moving on." And sometimes I'd really stop and think about how that truth makes sense of my life and what to then change about how I live... but not always... even though I know (intellectually) that applying scripture brings about its full effects. After all, a conviction that's not lived out does not deserve to go by that name.

But anyway I just found myself excited by what I see as really an opportunity--an invitation--to sit with God's Word and not rush to a conclusion but to really savor what's there. My studying in the past was kind of like the microwavable version where this is more like a slow-cooker. And I think that's gonna be a great change to make in how I approach learning from scripture. Why rush the journey with God?

--Whitney C.
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Interested in the prayer ministry? Email me: prayer at vintage21 dot com!

Pastor Tyler · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Downtown Raleigh

Folks--my notes are just an outline so I have tried to put enough meat to them so you can follow along. Here goes:

Study Scripture –Owners Night
Summary of the heart:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Brother Lawrence “I have at times had such delicious thoughts on the Lord I am ashamed to mention them.”

Why don’t LONG for God like the men and women in Scripture?

How to Study Scripture?

2 AREAS of study

Themes & Specifics

1) Spend 15 minutes a day to read through beginning with Genesis 1 to see the themes of Scripture

2) Spend 1 hour per week studying in-depth a specific passage

Where does Scripture study begin?

Who is God?

How do you like to think of God?

What believe about Scripture?

Inspired by God
Inerrant
Totally Authoritative

We must put ourselves under Scripture…

What is the Nature of Scripture?

Translations

Literal Vs. Free Vs. Dynamic Equivalence

1) Literal: a word for word translation

NASB, KJV & ESV (please see the post regarding 2 corrections)

2) Free: The attempt to paraphrase words/ideas/teachings from one language to another, with less concern about using the exact words of the original.

Message, NLV, Living

3) Dynamic Equivalence –The attempt to translate words, idioms and grammatical construction of the original language into precise equivalents in the receptor language.

NIV

I Corinthians 7:36

Literal... KJV → But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

Free... Message → If a man has a woman friend to whom he is loyal but never intended to marry, having decided to serve God as a "single," and then changes his mind, deciding he should marry her, he should go ahead and marry. It's no sin; it's not even a "step down" from celibacy, as some say. On the other hand, if a man is comfortable in his decision for a single life in service to God and it's entirely his own conviction and not imposed on him by others, he ought to stick with it. Marriage is spiritually and morally right and not inferior to singleness in any way, although as I indicated earlier, because of the times we live in, I do have pastoral reasons for encouraging singleness.

Dynamic Equivalence: ESV (please see previous post regarding 2 corrections) → If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.

HINTS
1)
2)
3)

John 2:1-12 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Exegesis & Hermeneutics

Raging Debate:

Exegesis: ... is the careful, systematic study of the Scripture to discover the original intended meaning. It is the attempt to hear the Word as the original recipients were to have heard it…

1) The Historical Content

Time Frame:
Genre:
Purpose:
Culture:

2 Corinthians 4:6… For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Romans
Hebrews
Greeks

Need tools
• Bible-dictionaries
• Commentary
→ NICNT, Bible Speaks Today, William Barclay
→ Buy 1 commentary at a time, buy used copies from Amazon

Online tools
www.studylight.org
www.zhubert.com
www.blueletterbible.org

2) Theological Content

-What does the passage say about God
-Nature
-Character
-How He works
-What He loves
-What He hates
-How give Him Glory
-How Love Him Back

3) Literary Content: Meanings of words, grammatical relationships in sentences

Examples:
-Praus: Meek
-Splagchnizomal: Compassion

www.studylight.org

4) Context -What most people mean when the say this is, read it in Context

Context answers: What’s the point of the passage/book?

Sum up Exegesis → CONTEXT & CONTENT
• Original intent
• Original audience
Let’s do exegesis for John 2

Historical Content

Author → Debate:
• Most Facts
• Fewest Difficulties
Apostle John

Genre -Story or Narrative

Audience
-Ephesus, 1000 miles from Jerusalem
-Why Greeks need a Hebrew Messiah

Purpose
-Teach Theology
-Missional

Theological Content
-Teaches us about Jesus
-Miraculous
-Cares
-Disciples believe

Literary Content

Wedding –What like 1st century
-3 days or longer
-Wedding Party responsible for whole party
-Cana
-SUE

Wine
-What’s Big deal with wine
-Joy

6 stone water jars
-Ceremonial cleaning
-Not able to participate

Do whatever He tells you ⇒ They filled it to the BRIM

Hermeneutics…: seeking contemporary relevance of ancient texts

Hermeneutics is CRUX

Proper Hermeneutics & the original intent
• Mormon’s baptizing dead –I Cor 15
• Jehovah’s Witnesses’ rejection deity of Christ
• Snake Handlers - Mark 16:18
• Prosperity Evangelist –3 John
The Text cannot mean what it never meant

QUESTION of Hermeneutics: How do these non-21st century texts speak to 21st century people?

Answers
1) Do your exegesis w/ particular care so you hear what God’s Word really was
2) Apply God’s Word to genuinely comparable situations

Historical Context

Author → Apostle John—Eye-witness account

Genre → Our culture is image & story based, going to love book of John

Audience → Young Greeks in Ephesus

Theological & Literary Content

Wedding –What like 1st Century
-3 days
-Responsible for EVERHTNING…
-Cana
-SUE

Tight place –Jesus has concern for people

Wine
-What’s the Big deal
-Joy

Jesus turns water into wine
• Mundane/Everyday into the miraculous
• Shameful into Glorious

How might Jesus change, in your life
Mundane ⇒ Miraculous
Shameful ⇒ Glorious

Six stone water Jars
-Ceremonial Cleaning
-Can’t Participate

Dip Hands…

• Christianity not a RELIGION
• Allows give the GOSPEL

Do WHATEVER He Tells you …

Simple list of 10 Questions to help you study…

1. Who wrote/spoke the passage and to whom was it addressed?
2. What does the passage say?
3. Are there any words or phrases in the passage that need to be examined?
4. What is the immediate context?
5. What is the broader context in the chapter and book?
6. What are the related verses to the passage’s subject and how do they affect the understanding of this passage?
7. What is the historical and cultural background?
8. What do I conclude about the passage?
9. Do my conclusions agree or disagree with related areas of Scripture and others who have studied the passage?
10. What have I learned and what must I apply to my life?
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Pastor Tyler

Rob Davis · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Raleigh, NC

I used to think that because my faith was primarily private, that God would somehow magically always show me what the Bible meant. But, after a long time of trying to figure it all out, I eventually got pretty frustrated and spent many months not even approaching it at all.

One huge lesson I've learned is that "there is nothing new under the sun." Of course, you can only take that so far, but I think it's extremely valuable to listen to the voices of those who have gone before us, those who have spent many years walking with God. And, seeking out multiple voices to help make us aware of our own cultural assumptions that we bring to the text. This is where commentaries and other books come in.

If we don't go through the process Tyler outlined last night, we can easily fall into assuming we know what something means, and then possibly even applying it our lives and living by it, but then realizing we hadn't really done our homework and totally missed it. Ignorance in this way seems to be a defining factor for the American church today - what Scripture refers to as "zeal without knowledge."
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http://inandfor.wordpress.com

Luke Wisley · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Raleigh, NC

Tyler,

I saw that you listed Mark 16:18 as part of your notes on exegesis. I am assuming since you listed it that you believe the last 12 verses in Mark are original. Just curious to hear your stance on these verses.

L.G.

Pastor Matt · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 31 Location: Raleigh, NC

The Owners Night Podcast has been updated with the audio from the March Owners Night. Here is the link: http://www.vintage21.com/podcasts/owners/

A great idea would be to suscribe to the podcast. You can do this several ways- Google, iTunes, Yahoo. That way, it will automatically download to your computer each month it has been updated.
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Matt Stevens
Worship Pastor
Vintage21 Church

Eric Butler · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 56

You can also use studylight's search tool in English, find the passage, and click on the little "Greek" or "Hebrew" link above the passage to see the original language next to the English.

If, while in this mode, you click on a word that is underlined a pop-up window will give you the original language and the definition. I don't tend to trust the definitions much, and so I prefer to open the word in a new tab instead, which gives the same information before, but also a list of all uses of the word in the Bible. I often find scanning the actual uses is a lot more helpful than the blurb the site gives.

(A short example: I searched "na'ar" recently in the way, and got a definition that left the strong impression that the word meant "young people", often children. In actual use it is repeatedly applied to "young people" in the sense of "people in the prime of life", like fighting men. Now, that did involve reading something like 200 uses, but the end result was more accurate [and I probably could have got away with reading the first 50])