Biblical Interpretation Honor

Missionary & Community Activities

Requirements

  1. Why is it important to interpret the Bible correctly?

    Answer: To understand the meaning of the Scriptures, avoid heresies and divisions, apply biblical principles faithfully, and know God and the plan of salvation. Wrong interpretation has generated historical sects. 2 Tim 2:15 teaches us to handle the Word well. Adventists value the historical-grammatical method. — Adventist biblical hermeneutics. Fundamental principles: 1) The Bible interprets the Bible (sola scriptura). 2) Literal-historical-grammatical sense. 3) Cultural and linguistic context considered. 4) The Holy Spirit guides (John 16:13). 5) Theological coherence between the OT and NT. Risks of poor interpretation: uncontrolled allegory (Origen), proof-texting (isolated verses), cultural syncretism. Famous heresies generated: Arianism, Gnosticism, Mariolatry. Adventists defend the historical-grammatical method against the historical-critical method (which questions inspiration). Key text: 2 Pet 1:20-21 — Scripture does not allow for private interpretation.

  2. With the help of your pastor or elder, study what the following means:
    • Revelation;
    • Inspiration;
    • Illumination.

    Answer: 1) Revelation: the act by which God makes known to human beings truths that they could not discover on their own, communicating with the prophets through visions, dreams, and direct messages; it is God taking the initiative to reveal himself. 2) Inspiration: the action of the Holy Spirit guiding the biblical writers so that they faithfully recorded, in their own words and style, the message that God wished to convey, without doctrinal error (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21); it guarantees that the Bible is the reliable Word of God. 3) Illumination: the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of the reader or hearer, enabling them to correctly understand and apply the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-14); it is what makes it possible to spiritually understand what was revealed and inspired. — Adventist triad. Revelation (revelatio): the initial action — God communicates previously unknown truths. Modes: visions (Daniel), dreams (Joseph), audible words (Moses), the incarnate Christ (Heb 1:1-2). Inspiration: how the messages were recorded — the Adventist model of 'thought inspiration' (inspiration of the thought, not verbal word-for-word). The writers kept their style and vocabulary, but the Spirit guided the content. Illumination: the reader receives help to understand. Different from inspiration: the reader does not receive a new revelation, only an understanding of the revelation given. Ellen White agrees in 'Messengers'.

  3. Define what exegesis is.

    Answer: Exegesis: the process of extracting the original meaning of the biblical text considering the historical, cultural, grammatical, and theological context. It seeks what the author wished to communicate to the original audience. Different from eisegesis (forcing a meaning). Rigorous exegesis requires Hebrew, Greek, and commentaries. — Fundamental hermeneutical discipline. Greek etymology: 'to lead out'. Stages of exegesis: 1) The original text in Hebrew/Greek (not a translation). 2) Grammatical analysis (syntax, morphology). 3) Literary context (genre, pericope). 4) Historical-cultural context (author, audience, era, place). 5) Comparison with other passages (the analogy of faith). 6) Theological application. Eisegesis (the opposite): imposing preconceived ideas. Tools: lexicons (BDB, BDAG), concordances (Strong), commentaries (SDA Bible Commentary), software (Logos, Bible Works). Adventists follow the historical-grammatical method.

  4. How does exegesis apply to the study of the Bible?

    Answer: Applied to understand the authorial meaning before any current application. Example: studying the 'Sabbath' in Exodus 20:8-11 requires the Egyptian context, the Hebrew vocabulary (shabbat), and the structure of the Decalogue. Without exegesis, the reader projects modern ideas onto the ancient text. It ensures a faithful interpretation. — Exegesis applied in practice. Serious Bible study follows an order: 1) Observation (what does it say?). 2) Interpretation/Exegesis (what did it mean?). 3) Application (how does it apply today?). Skipping steps = eisegesis. Practical example: 1 Cor 11 (covered hair) — exegesis shows the Corinthian cultural context (pagan women covered their heads in worship); current application: the principle of modesty, not a literal imposition. Adventists are rich in the exegesis of Daniel/Revelation: time prophecies, symbols, typology. Tools: Adventist Hymnal, books such as 'How to Study the Bible' (Daley), TVN seminars.

  5. Define hermeneutics.

    Answer: Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation, especially of ancient texts such as the Bible. It comes from the Greek 'hermeneuein' (to interpret). It establishes principles for correctly interpreting a text, considering the context, literary genre, and author. Adventists follow the historical-grammatical method. — Theological discipline. Etymology: from the Greek Hermes (messenger of the gods). Hermeneutics is the methodology (general rules), exegesis is the practical application. Adventist hermeneutical principles: 1) Sola scriptura (the Bible interprets the Bible). 2) Tota scriptura (the whole Bible, OT and NT). 3) Historical-grammatical (the literal sense in context). 4) Plenary inspiration. 5) Christ as the center. 6) The Holy Spirit as the guide. Difference from historical-critical hermeneutics: it accepts inspiration and the supernatural; it preserves authority. Official document: 'Methods of Bible Study' (GC Annual Council, 1986).

  6. How does hermeneutics apply to the study of the Bible?

    Answer: It provides principles for interpreting Scripture coherently: historical-cultural context, literary genre (narrative, poetry, prophecy), comparison of passages, Christ as central, the Holy Spirit. It distinguishes eternal principles from cultural applications. Without hermeneutics, Bible study becomes subjective. — Hermeneutics applied in Adventist practice. Operational principles: 1) The Bible interprets the Bible (cross-references). 2) Literary genre defines the approach - narrative is read differently from poetry/prophecy. 3) Immediate context (neighboring verses), remote (the book), biblical (all of Scripture). 4) Original languages when possible. 5) Christ-centered. 6) Present-day application after exegesis. Types: historical-grammatical (Adventist), historical-critical (liberal), allegorical (medieval), extreme-literal (fundamentalist). Official Adventist document: 'Methods of Bible Study' (1986). Resource: the Adventist Bible Study Handbook.

  7. With the help of your pastor or elder, do exegesis and hermeneutics of the following texts:
    • Exodus 3:5;
    • Acts 10:12, 13;
    • Colossians 2:16.

    Answer: Ex 3:5: 'take off your sandals' - God reveals holiness. Acts 10:12-13: Peter's vision opens the way for the Gentiles, it does not revoke the diet. Col 2:16: Jewish ceremonial sabbaths abolished with Christ, not the 4th commandment. Each text requires contextual analysis and care to avoid wrong conclusions. — Adventist exegetical analyses. Ex 3:5: the context is the theophany of the burning bush; holiness demanded reverent respect; the universal application is reverence for the sacred. Acts 10:12-13: the context is Cornelius (a devout Gentile), Peter refused to eat with Gentiles; the vision symbolizes the inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel (Acts 10:28); the animals are merely a figure, the Levitical dietary laws remain valid as healthy principles. Col 2:16: 'feasts, new moons, sabbaths' = the ceremonial trio repeated in Lev 23, Num 28 - it refers to the annual sabbaths (Passover, Tabernacles), not the weekly one of Ex 20. The Sabbath of the 4th commandment is eternal.

  8. Choose one of the texts from the previous requirement and explain it, using exegesis and hermeneutics, to one of your friends or family members.

    Answer: Evangelistic application of hermeneutics. Strategy: friendship first, doctrine later. Setting: café, home, park — informal. Presentation: an opening question ('what do you think about the Sabbath?'), listen before speaking. Context: explain that Paul was writing against the gnostic heresy in Colossae (1st century); 'sabbaths' in the plural are ceremonial (Jewish festivals), not the seventh day. Compare Lev 23:38 ('besides the sabbaths of the Lord'). Apply: the principle of eternal weekly rest and celebration. Close: an invitation to read the Bible together, a series of studies, hospitality.

  9. Regarding the methods of biblical interpretation, define:
    • Preterist method;
    • Futurist method;
    • Historicist method;
    • Idealist method.

    Answer: 1) Preterist method: holds that biblical prophecies, especially those of Daniel and Revelation, were already fulfilled in the past, mainly in the first centuries of the Christian era, in the context of ancient Rome and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. 2) Futurist method: teaches that most prophecies will only be fulfilled in a future period, at the end of time, usually associating them with a seven-year tribulation, an antichrist yet to arise, and events immediately before the return of Christ. 3) Historicist method: understands that prophecies are fulfilled continuously and progressively throughout history, from the time of the prophet to the end of the world, encompassing the unfolding of empires and of the church; it is the perspective adopted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 4) Idealist method: sees prophecies as timeless symbols and principles, spiritual lessons about the struggle between good and evil, without identifying a literal and specific historical fulfillment in concrete people or events. — Four hermeneutical schools. Preterist (preterism, from the Latin 'praeter' = past): the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were fulfilled up to the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70) or the Roman Empire. Originating with the Jesuit Luis de Alcázar (1614). Futurist (futurism): prophecies suspended, the 1st-3rd (churches) were fulfilled and the future tribulation will be fulfilled. Originating with the Jesuit Francisco Ribera (1591). Historicist: from the time of the prophet to the 2nd advent (Daniel 2 = Babylon → the Stone). Adventists use it, a Protestant heritage (Luther, Calvin). Idealist: perpetual symbolism (the struggle between good and evil). Implication: the antichrist, the 1,260 days.

  10. Write a text of at least 500 words, identifying which of the previous methods is used by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the reason for its use, and whether, in your opinion, it is the most coherent method.

    Answer: The SDA Church uses the historicist method. Reasons: it is consistent with the prophets (Dan 2); it was adopted by the Reformers (Luther, Calvin); it identifies the papacy as the antichrist (Rev 13); it allows for the 2,300 evenings ending in 1844; it is consistent with the heavenly sanctuary. It is considered the most consistent with the Bible. — The Adventist doctrinal position. Historicism emerged from the Protestant Reformation (16th century), a reaction to papalism. Adventists inherited it through William Miller (Millerism) and the founders. Application: the prophecies of Daniel were fulfilled from Babylon to the time of the end; Revelation shows the history of the church in 7 phases (Rev 2-3); the 'little horn' = the papacy; the '1,260 days' = 538-1798. Preterism is more Catholic-Jesuit (it hides the papacy); futurism is modern evangelical-Protestant. Adventists resisted change because of their clear position on 1844 and the heavenly sanctuary. Key text: 'The Great Controversy' by Ellen White.