1. A Brief History of Biblical Interpretation
The interpretation of the Bible has been developing and changing ever since it was written. The earliest attempts by early Christians to articulate their faith was through the allegorical interpretation of the Bible, which seeks to find spiritual meaning in the literal words of the text. In the sixth century, Augustine developed a new approach to biblical interpretation – the moral interpretation which argued for meaning beyond the literal text. Since then, scholars and theologians have developed a range of ways to interpret the Bible, from the historical-critical method to reader-response criticism and beyond.
2. Different Interpretive Approaches
Today, there are a range of interpretive approaches available for reading the Bible. On the one hand is the traditional interpretive approach which views the Bible as the word of God, unchanged from its original context and composed of rules, laws and commands which are to be followed without question. On the other hand is the critical interpretive approach which strives to interpret the Bible in its original context and gives attention to the historical, political and cultural settings in which it was written. These interpretive approaches provide an important way to understand the Bible and its various messages.
3. Knowing The Context
In order to truly interpret the Bible, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. This includes looking at the historical, political, cultural and religious settings in which the Bible was composed. By understanding the setting and contexts, we can better interpret the words and stories contained within. Moreover, understanding the context can also help provide insights into the original audience and their expectations when reading the Biblical texts.
4. Literary Genres
The Bible contains a range of different literary genres, from poetry to song, and from wisdom literature to prophecy. Each of these genres contains unique features and conventions which need to be understood in order to interpret them fully. It is therefore important to familiarise oneself with the different genres when attempting to interpret the Bible.
5. Using Biblical Commentaries and Study Guides
Another helpful resource when attempting to interpret the Bible is to make use of commentaries and study guides. These provide helpful insights into the original meaning of the texts and can be a valuable tool when attempting to interpret them. Additionally, many commentaries provide possible contextual interpretations and provide linguistic help for the reader.
6. Communal Interpretation
One important factor to consider when interpreting the Bible is the communities in which it is read and to whom it speaks. This involves recognising the different communities which have read the Bible, both modern and ancient, and understanding how the Bible has been and continues to be read in these different contexts.
7. Creativity and Re-Imagining
The Bible is an inspired and creative text, and the interpretive process can be a creative one. As such, it is important to re-imagine the Bible in new and innovative ways and to explore the multiple interpretations that are available. This could involve translati
