Difficult and Familiar Passages
Welcome back to the Know and Do podcast, where we explore the art of interpreting the Bible, also known as hermeneutics. In this episode, we wrap up our series on understanding the Scriptures before taking a short break for the Christmas season. Today, we’ll discuss two types of passages that often challenge readers.
Why Certain Passages Are Difficult to Understand:
Cultural Gaps – Differences between the Bible's cultural context and ours today.
"Contradictions" – Passages that may seem to conflict, though we trust Scripture’s inerrancy.
Conundrums – Complex theological concepts like the Trinity and free will vs. sovereignty.
Steps for Tackling Difficult Passages:
Pray for understanding.
Contextualize – Look at literary, covenantal, and canonical contexts.
Parley with Other Scriptures – Use clearer passages to interpret less clear ones.
Seek Community – Consult church leaders, trusted commentaries, and fellow believers.
Approaching Familiar Passages with Fresh Eyes
Pitfalls of Familiarity include commonly misquoted or misunderstood passages that can lead to inaccurate interpretations.
Steps for Handling Familiar Passages:
Pray for a fresh perspective.
Interrogate the Text—ask questions, read it as if for the first time, and examine the context.
Meditate on the passage’s meaning and implications.
Communicate – Discuss with others, write down thoughts, or teach someone.
Below, find a sample passage and questions to practice these interpretation skills. Remember to like and follow us for more episodes in January. Grace and peace to you!