This very brief video uses a popular passage of scripture that has frequently been misinterpreted to explain the importance of knowing the context of any passage of scripture before you arrive at its meaning: there is only one meaning.
Todd Friel gave the popular interpretation of the above passage of scripture from Revelation, and then explained why it was wrong.
What were the essential contextual elements noted by the video: 1, the verse about knocking on the door directly followed a verse confronting their complacent manner of worship; 2, the book of Revelation is about the Christ who is returning in judgment, not the pre resurrection Christ; therefore, 3, Jesus’ work of salvation takes place elsewhere in scripture, not in this book which is about judgment. So, the entire book and the verses surrounding the verse in question are not about salvation, but judgment.
Did it register upon your consciousness that the erroneous interpretation had been taught to believers by church teachers and pastors? However, even though our pastors may have taught us incorrectly about the above passage (or any other passage), that does not excuse our ignorance of its true meaning.
Act 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
I have to say that I also have much to learn regarding the study of hermeneutics. I usually defer to Bible commentaries and study Bible footnotes; and listen to sound Biblical preachers for their interpretations regarding scriptural meaning. When those are not available, I check my own assumptions about context…when I have access to scholars. Bible commentators and preachers often speak of context, giving clues as to how they have ascertained it; noting these things and practicing them, can help you learn basic interpretation. Also, listen for reference to the sources they use in preparing sermons and expositions, perhaps you can use the same sources?
I have come to trust the following commentators, yet, they need checked against each other, as they sometimes err.
Calvin; the commentaries on the free Bible software, E-sword, including: Albert Barnes; John Gill; The Expositor’s Bible commentary; Jon Courson; Matthew Henry; and John MacArthur…. I have learned via Bible study that these commentators are faithful to scripture. And as scripture says, God gave to His church, apostles, preachers, teachers…for the edification of the body of Christ.
However, there are many impostors out there calling themselves apostles, prophets, preachers, teachers…one must be born again and abide in God’s means of grace to be led to godly teachers; and to discern the true from the false teachers (see post on means of grace in the category of Christian Walk). (This blog will provide you with examples of many godly and ungodly preachers.)
Furthermore; after studying Psalm 51 and the Sermon on the Mount in depth (a few years on each), I noticed that the knowledge I acquired from those studies seemed to enable me to understand many other parts of scripture more fully. Those two passages are about the law and grace; how to deal with sin…and those things are foundational to the Bible, perhaps that is why my knowledge of the entire Bible seemed to be bolstered. Also, in writing the document about Bible covenants for the Baha’i post, I became much more acquainted with another foundational aspect of the Bible, the covenants of grace, which enabled me to better understand many other passages of scripture.
Therefore, I am saying that I believe careful Bible study is a great aid in learning to arrive at the correct meaning of scripture, because in careful study (see Proverbs 2 :1-5) one becomes acquainted with doctrine; the plot of the Bible; God’s way of doing things; His requirements and prohibitions…. All of these are pieces of the puzzle of correct scripture meaning.
May God bless your study of His word and enable you to seek His enabling grace to walk with Him.
[While reviewing this post today, I purchased Herman Who? Hermeneutics for the rest of us from Wretched Radio. I will review it before fall. It was $24.99.]