...many a pastor has put the applicational horse before the interpretive cart. It is crucial that we distinguish these two, and deal with interpretation apart from application. Obviously, there is a huge intersection between the two, but we confuse them only to our peril. Too many Christians are impatient with interpretation and simply want to get to the application. Sadly, too many pastors accommodate them and the result is often eisegetical anarchy. One of the question that must be asked before one gets into application of a text is whether such a passage has direct validity, indirect validity, or merely illustrative, historical, or negative value for believers today.Read the whole post for a great lesson on how to understand The Great Commission in it's historical context.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The Applicational Horse Before the Interpretive Cart
Dan Wallace with a good word on interpretation of the Bible.
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I would agree with this. But its funny how in my particular setting, application is not stressed enough. Many pastors love to talk about content and then slap on a 3 min. application at the end. I don't see the Scriptures matching up with that when it comes to Christ's teaching and Paul's letters. There seems to be a high priority on teaching for life change. (Ex: Ephesians 1-3 focused doctrine, 4-6 focused application.) Likewise, it's clear from passages even like the Great Commission that our aim in disciple-making is that we "teach them to OBEY all that [Christ] commanded." I understand how some preachers rush to application and leave out interpretation. This is certainly a valid concern. Yet others do so much interpretation they never get to application for their people. That too is a big concern.
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