Today is another subdivision where we learn a Bible study skill. We have looked at scripture and observation. Let me share with you an important step of observation: context.
You cannot observe properly if you do not take time to pay attention the context of the book. Can you believe that some Christians were opposed to the radio in its early days? They said it was a satanic invention, and found Bible verses to support their opposition “Satan is the prince of the power of the air”, they said. They did not take time to understand the context in which Paul said that in Ephesians. We might laugh at this today, but we can make similar mistakes when we take Bible passages out of their context.
In the Bible, context include such matters as the identity of the author and his readers, the time, the topic and reasons for writing the book. There are two types of contexts.
You cannot observe properly if you do not take time to pay attention the context of the book. Can you believe that some Christians were opposed to the radio in its early days? They said it was a satanic invention, and found Bible verses to support their opposition “Satan is the prince of the power of the air”, they said. They did not take time to understand the context in which Paul said that in Ephesians. We might laugh at this today, but we can make similar mistakes when we take Bible passages out of their context.
In the Bible, context include such matters as the identity of the author and his readers, the time, the topic and reasons for writing the book. There are two types of contexts.
Literary context is the words, sentences, paragraphs or chapters that surround and relate to a text. It helps us to see how the passage fits in the larger section of the whole.
Historical context is the language, customs, culture, beliefs and history of the author and his audience. It allows us to enter the world of the readers, speakers, writers and other characters that appear in the literary context, and shows us how a part of the bible fits into the world of the time it was written.
We can learn the context of some books through other books of the bible. For example some of the most interesting stories found in the books of Kings and Chronicles provide the background historical context for the books of the prophets. The prophets wrote to the very kings described in those books, but we rarely make the connections. By the way if you are ever in a rut in your devotional life, or you have had a really bad day and do not feel like reading the Bible, or you are out of touch with your spiritual self, try reading a random story from the books of Samuel, Chronicles or the Kings. You will be surprised at how your heart will warm up towards the characters in the stories and how quickly you will connect with God. Also, it is best to read the stories in whole sections in more or less the same way you read a novel.
Historical context is the language, customs, culture, beliefs and history of the author and his audience. It allows us to enter the world of the readers, speakers, writers and other characters that appear in the literary context, and shows us how a part of the bible fits into the world of the time it was written.
We can learn the context of some books through other books of the bible. For example some of the most interesting stories found in the books of Kings and Chronicles provide the background historical context for the books of the prophets. The prophets wrote to the very kings described in those books, but we rarely make the connections. By the way if you are ever in a rut in your devotional life, or you have had a really bad day and do not feel like reading the Bible, or you are out of touch with your spiritual self, try reading a random story from the books of Samuel, Chronicles or the Kings. You will be surprised at how your heart will warm up towards the characters in the stories and how quickly you will connect with God. Also, it is best to read the stories in whole sections in more or less the same way you read a novel.
The same applies to the books of the New Testament. You get so much more from your small devotional sections if you take time to read the whole book first. When you read it as a whole, do not work too hard to take away a spiritual lesson as much as to understand the characters and the bigger picture that the author had when he wrote the book. That prepares you to learn the lessons of the smaller sections. If you read a whole book especially in the Old Testament, you will understand that some of the stories are not ethic or morals for us to learn. They serve as a warning so that we do not do the things they did and therefore perish the way they did. Examples include Samson's escapades with Delilah, Solomon’s liaison with a thousand women (did he really marry them?), Ahab’s and Jezebel’s greed, the kings Jeroboam and Rehoboam leading their people into rebellion and so on.
Now, back to Philippians. At the Beginning of this study (see the first blog), I gave you a historical introduction to the church of Philippi, taken out of the books of Acts 16. If you have not already done so, take time today to read the whole book of Philippians in one sitting. It will not take you more than 30 minutes to read thoughtfully in one sitting, and it will be worth the time and effort.
Now, back to Philippians. At the Beginning of this study (see the first blog), I gave you a historical introduction to the church of Philippi, taken out of the books of Acts 16. If you have not already done so, take time today to read the whole book of Philippians in one sitting. It will not take you more than 30 minutes to read thoughtfully in one sitting, and it will be worth the time and effort.
Please also post your reflections and comments.
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