February 1: “What does it mean?” by Eric Reynolds

2 Timothy 2:15, “...rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”

A video recently making the rounds on the internet shows 2 teenagers in a room with a rotary dial phone. They are completely flummoxed as to how to operate this device they have never encountered. While hard to imagine for those of us who grew up leaning against the wall to have a phone conversation, it is the reality for the youngest generations. Likewise, when we read Scripture, we need to under- stand the context in which the words were spoken, even though it was hundreds, or thousands of years ago.

Theologians employ the term “exegesis” to describe the careful, systematic study of the Scripture to dis- cover the original, intended meaning. In the book How to Read the Bible for All its Worth, the authors describe exegesis as, ”...the attempt to hear the Word as the original recipients were to have heard it; to find out what was the original intent of the words of the Bible.” As you read, passages begin with the ‘back there and then.’

For example, in the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus makes a point to mention that when the father saw his son at a distance, he ran to greet him. Seems reasonable, right? We have all seen news stories of heroes returning from war and dropping their duffle bags to run and grab their families in an embrace. However, in the Jewish culture in which Jesus lived, older men did not run as it was considered undistinguished. Knowing just that fact, does it change the way you understand the story? Historical context provides a depth to the Biblical account that greatly contributes to understanding. Having a resource such as The New Ungers Bible Handbook will aid greatly in determining the context in which the accounts were written.

After understanding what it meant to them (exegesis), next move to what does it mean to me, today? That is the task theologians call Hermeneutics. Hermeneutics seeks the contemporary relevance of his- toric texts. To understand how the Bible applies to 21st-century America, start with understanding what it meant in the time it was written. Don’t invert the two processes. The message for today cannot conflict with the original intent. The text cannot mean what it never meant.

A couple of suggestions to get started. Try reading different translations of the Bible. Read the entire passage at one time. The Message translation does not have the chapters and verses most translations do, so it reads more like a book. This will help in seeing the theme or big picture being painted as opposed to taking one line or phrase and trying to apply it in a way that doesn’t meet the original intent.

Finally, just read. As Pastor Brent has said, “Bible reading and study isn’t intended to make your smarter, it’s intended to change you.” How can you be changed?

Father God, lead me in understanding through the Holy Spirit. Amen.