Samson’s rules for hermeneutics1: Consider the author 2. Consider the audience 3. The meaning of words 4. Context 5. Grammar 6. Textual issues 7. Syntax 8. Form of literature 9. Immediate context 10. Document context 11. Authors context 12. Biblical context 13. Prescriptive vs. Descriptive 14. Build doctrine on necessary vs. Possible inferences 15. Interpret unclear passages of scripture in light of the clear 16. Build...
Justin Taylor on the Tabernacle (Extra reading for “Blood Types” sermon)…
” The note on Exodus 25:1-31:17 in the ESV Study Bible points out two important keys to understanding the symbolism of the tabernacle: First, the tabernacle is seen as a tented palace for Israel’s divine king. He is enthroned on the ark of the covenant in the innermost Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place). His royalty is symbolized by the purple of the curtains and his divinity by the blue. The closer items are to the Holy of Holies, the...
Julius Scott on the Lull During the Siege of Jerusalem (Extra Reading for: “Vultures Gather” Sermon)…
“Josephus describes the A.D. 66-70 war in great detail, especially in his The Wars of the Jews. Two events are important for our study. At the outset of the war, A.D. 66/67, the legate of Syria, Cestius Gallus, approached Jerusalem with the Twelfth Legion and occupied the northern suburb, Bezetha. Realizing he did not have sufficient forces to take the rest of the city he withdrew. His army was ambushed in the Beth Horon pass and suffered...
Kline on Covenant (Extra Reading for “What’s New” Sermon)…
“…It will be useful to have a simple outline of the matter before us: [7] 1. Preamble (1:1-5). 2. Historical prologue (1:6-4:49). 3. Stipulations (5-26). 4. Curses and Blessings or Covenant Ratification (27-30). 5. Succession Arrangements or Covenant Continuity, in which are included the invocation of witnesses and directions for the disposition and public reading of the treaty (31-34). To analyze Deuteronomy in terms of a...
Barnes on the Olivet Discourse (Extra Reading for “Birth Pains” Sermon)…
“Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. There shall not be left here one stone upon another – At the time this was spoken, no event was more improbable than this. The temple was vast, rich, splendid. It was the pride of the nation, and the nation was at peace. Yet in the short space of 40 years all this was...