As we’ve discovered over the last three weeks, Biblical interpretation can sometimes be a difficult task. There are elements both within ourselves and within the text that we must understand to the best of our ability before we can be certain of what the Scriptures are saying to us – and even then, we must admit that we are limited. Hence, the final instal... read all »

When we read a passage from the Bible, we are not the first ones to have read it. “Well, that’s obvious, Glen.” I know, I know. But sometimes, we are not always aware of what is obvious. So, what I mean is this: the books of the Bible were written first to those who were the original recipients. Now, this may not be such an important thing to remembe... read all »

“Book, chapter and verse!” This is a common criterion among those of us who wish to know what the Bible says – and where! If someone is going to assert that the Bible is saying a certain thing, we will not take that assertion for granted – we want to see it for ourselves. Such diligence is good practice. However, we must also remember that th... read all »

Whether we know it or not, we practice interpretation each time we read the Bible. In fact, we interpret whenever we read just about anything: the newspaper, a street sign, a novel. We are always interpreting, both consciously and subconsciously. However, it is good for us to move interpretation as close to the conscious level as much as possible, so that we’re ... read all »

“Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, [Jesus] went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ (...) In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remember... read all »