Basic Bible Interpretation

Chapter 1: 1. List three reasons, according to Zuck, that makes Bible interpretation essential. 2. List and describe four different gaps that must be bridged in Bible interpretation. 3. Provide a working definition of hermeneutics. 4. List three qualifications necessary for Bible interpretation. 5. Discuss what is necessary for a layperson to interpret the Bible.

Chapter 2: 1. What are four different approaches that have been used in Bible interpretation? 2. Explain the significance of Hillel and Shammai. (Bonus: To whose school did Paul belong?) 3. Define allegory. 4. What is the Greek translation of the Old Testament called? 5. Who were the two prominent Alexandrian Jewish allegorizers? 6. Who believed that the Scriptures were the property of the Church? 7. Of the schools in Antioch and Alexandria, which one promoted allegorical interpretation? 8. Who was the founder of the school at Antioch? 9. Who would be the greatest commentator of the early church? 10. Who was responsible for the Latin Vulgate? 11. What was Martin Luther’s approach to Bible interpretation? 12. What is the only approach to the Bible that “enables believers to understand God’s Word properly as the basis for godly living…”?

Chapter 3: 1. What are the ingredients involved with communication? 2. Write out Ramm’s remarks concerning the importance of finding the literal sense of writing. 3. Based on axiom one, what is suggested to be the goal of Bible interpretation. 4. Is the meaning to be found in the author’s intent, the text, or both? Why? 5. Axiom one should generate at least six questions. List them. 6. Explain the difference between revelation and inspiration. 7. How is the word inspiration as used in the Bible different from the way it may be used today? 8. What is the general rule of thumb when interpreting a verse that has two possible interpretations? 9. If we look on the Bible as only a human book, what will be our approach? What if we view it as only a divine book?

Chapter 4: 1. What is one of the greatest problems in Bible interpretation? 2. Define the “historical-grammatical” approach to interpretation. 3. What is included within the concept of “culture”? 4. What is the significance of Jesus referring to Herod as “that old fox…?” 5. On page 91-92, write out each question and mark it as either “P” or “T.” 6. List three principles that help determine if something is cultural or if something is timeless. 7. Given the illustrative patterns to follow from Zuck, how would you respond to the issue of foot- washing that he raises on page 96?

Chapter 5 1. What relationship does the grammatical approach to Scripture have to the verbal inspiration of Scripture? 2. What four key ideas are contained in the grammatical approach? 3. What four factors influence the meaning of a given word? 4. Provide examples that demonstrate why etymology is not always a reliable guide. 5. List three reasons why it is extremely important to consider context. 6. Zuck provides some illustrations on why it is important to know the parts of speech. In one sentence, please explain what this section has taught you.

Chapter 6 1. Define “rhetorical interpretation.” 2. Define what is meant by literary genre and give some examples of different genre found in the Bible… 3. List five different types of psalms. 4. How does understanding the literary quality help with Bible interpretation?

Chapter 7 1. How does Sterrett define a figure of speech? 2. List three reasons why a writer would use a figure of speech. 3. What guidelines will help us recognize figures of speech? 4. Write out Radmacher’s statement on figurative speech and the literal truth it conveys. 5. What are some different types of figures of speech? 6. What is an anthropomorphism? 7. What is a hyperbole? 8. How do you interpret a figure of speech? 9. Explain Jesus’ words to Mary in John 2:4. 10. Take the quiz on page 167.

Chapter 8 1. Define typos. 2. To be an official type, what is necessary? 3. What 5 elements must a type have? 4. Explain the difference between typology and allegorizing. 5. What is one of the five questions that must be asked in determing whether or not a type is valid in Scripture? 6. If Adam, Jonah, and the brass serpent are not official types, what are they? 7. What four steps should be followed in interpreting types? 8. Define symbol. 9. What ordinances of the church are symbolic actions? Chapter 9 1. Define parable. 2. What were the two purposes of Jesus’ parables? 3. What are three Guidelines for interpreting parables? 4. Define allegory. 5. Explain the differences between parable and allegory. 6. Define fable. 7. What three guidelines should be followed when interpreting allegories? 8. What should the reader look for when reading parables of allegories?

Chapter 10 1. Define prophecy. 2. Why should we study prophecy? 3. What two issues are basic to the study of eschatology? 4. Define premillennialism. 5. What are the three major tenets of covenant theology? 6. What two essential concepts are necessary for dispensational theology? 7. What questions should be asked when studying the prophecies of the Bible?

Chapter 11 1. What is one of the most difficult aspects of Bible interpretation? 2. List five purposes of Old Testament Quotations. 3. Why are Old Testament citations used in the New Testament? 4. What are the four views concerning Scripture meanings? 5. Define sensus plenior. 6. What procedures should we follow when interpreting New Testament quotations of the Old Testament?

Chapter 12 1. What are the two errors Christians make when applying the Bible? 2. Who said that the Bible “is not merely to be repeated or known, but to be lived and felt.”? 3. What does the phrase “adequate and equipped” mean? 4. List five of the nine steps to applying the Bible to our lives 5. What should our applications be based on? 6. What principle can we learn from Genesis 24? 7. What is the ultimate goal of Bible study? 8. Define the acronym “SPECS.”