New Learning Journey of Biblical Interpretation

For years I heard Biblical Interpretation is one of the toughest course in the school. I recall many years ago, I have attended Precept upon Precept by kay Arthur and 40 days in the word by Pastor Rick Warren. I wonder could it be the same method.

First Day of Class

First day of class, we play a ice-breaker. Every students must get to know their new classmate. We have to find out their name, the church they attend, the ministry they serve and one thing they find hard to do Biblical Interpretation?  It was my turn to introduce my new classmate Wee Lin. I could remember her name, church and ministry except one thing I miss out. I forgot to mention she could not serve Praise and Worship for the time being because she lost her voice. Through this experience I begin to understand why Biblical Interpretation is so important.

Two common mistakes people often make. Firstly, we often use our own understanding or our culture to interpret the bible. Second, quote a bible scripture to support a prayer. We did not realized by doing it, we actually interpret the scripture wrongly. Worse, we loss the nature text which the author wants to say to his reader. The treasure remains unknown.
 

Exegetical Research

I often heard preacher mentioned this word “Exegesis”. The word totally foreign to me. Our first assignment was to find relevant resources concerning Paul. We went to the library find some Bible dictionary, Encyclopaedia, Bible background study commentaries to gather some information. I found some interesting information. The author who wrote the letter of Ephesians is not Paul but someone else. The letter was written 4 years apart. My job is to dip into the question that was not found in the bible. I searched over the resource to understand where was he when it was written? In what way would the date and place of the written affect my interpret it. How I interpret the date and time of Paul’s letter. Through the research my curiosity lead me to find new insights. 
 

Class Interaction/Presentation

On Tuesday, we have our class presentation. Our group topic “Making Sense of The World around the Text. I find is very challenging to break the segments into part and input the meaning. Other group share their information of the author who wrote the book of Ephesians. The answer can be vary. At the end of the day, our aim is not to judge who is right or who is wrong. This exercise will help us to see outside the world. First, Historical-Cultural Context, second, Literary Context, 3^rd, Biblical Text. This will lead us to get the natural meaning.

Last night our group had a discussion. Assuming we already done background study on Matthew 18:19-20, we use our answer to form a sentence to tell the congregation the outline for the sermon.  When we present to the class, our first attempt is not well done. We glad to have other group give their suggestion. We exchange our views with other groups. During the tea-break we share our assignment experience. My classmate taught me how to add pictures in the blogger. 

New Discover The Nature of Word

Have you ever wondering where do word come from? In ancient people used make the sound “猫” to describe cat. I like to make the sound猫to tell my family members that I am back home that gave us the arbitrary sign. Interesting word will only excess to some particular culture. Language has to do with the culture. That language” 猫猫” only understood by my family. Some words like “shalom” was not found in the English dictionary. As such we use bible dictionary or commentaries to find the meaning.
 

Conclusion

As I reflect why the authors emphasize the important to study the historical. We have to listen to our sovereignty God. He speaks to the ancient as well to us modern Christians. We honor God if we humble because God hate proud people. God speaks to His beloved children through His message. If we devote our time to understand the context, our eyes are open to see scripture become alive and revelation. God use His word to minister to His people. (Duvall & J Daniel. Grasping God’s word. Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2005) Pg 2, 3, 4

In the past, I often felt sermon or inductive bible study is not enough for me. I was so hunger for the word of God. I am glad I came for this course. I pick up the skill to do Biblical Interpretation. The process is very tedious and discomfort. We struggle a lots. The author said interpretation is more like a power struggle in which the reader impose or forces his or her will on the text. (Duvall & J Daniel. Grasping God’s word. Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2005) Pg 9. Our lecture Bro Han Hui said Biblical Interpretation similarly driving lesson. We learn part by part. Gradually we coordinate our hand and leg to drive the vehicle. More importantly we must get the step correct.

I practiced diagramming for a few times but none got it correctly. I don’t have confident to do it again. Somehow I cannot escape diagramming for my current course. This round we asked to do Ephesians 6:14-17. The upper portion I did not get it correct but I got it right for lower portion. There’s a saying if you don’t do it, you will never know you can do it. I just have to keep on practicing until it become natural to me.

A SPACE FOR A STRANGER TO REST

MY EXPERIENCE OF A STRANGER

Recently I attended a course “Hospitality” at ACTS College by Rev Dr Davina Soh. I am happy the courses helped me to understand the essence of hospitality from the biblical context. Below are some of the experiences I had with others:

CAB OFFER

I remembered many years ago when I was a teen, I was chatting with my best friend at Harbour Front bus stop formerly known as World Trade Centre till almost midnight. My best friend managed to catch a bus home and left me at the bus stop. I waited for an hour with no sign of the bus. I realised that I had missed the last bus. I was alone and frightened. I was afraid to walk home alone in the dark night. I thought I should wait till morning to catch the first bus home. It was during this time that I saw a man in his twenties walking towards me. He asked why I was sitting at the bus stop alone. I told him that I had missed my bus and I have only a bus concession card and house keys. He said he wanted to take a cab home and asked if he could give me a lift home. I asked for his contact number so that I could return the money to him. He declined with a smile and said that there is no need to pay him back. Because he worked in Batam, he would usually take a ferry back to Singapore and a cab home at this hour.

FOOD OFFER

There are times when my classmates prepared and offer their food or dessert (Cheng Teng  etc). These experiences happened during my most difficult time and I was very touched by their kindness. I can understand how it feels when one is abandoned, lonely, and sad or having some difficult time. It is not a big deal to the person who offered their help or food, but to me, it meant a lot. I am grateful for the warmth, love and comfort offered to me.

                 

THE ART GALLERY

I was at the art gallery one day and the picture of Jesus who is the Son of God eating with the sinners caught my attention. People questioned Him why He wanted to eat with the people who are of lowly status, poor, broken and sick. I saw that it was because of His love for them regardless of whether they are poor or rich. 

MY EXPERIENCES

I struggled while attending to a drunkard man who has just been newly released from the prison or a woman asking for financial assistance at my work place.  The only thing that I could do is to provide a form for them to fill in and direct them to another centre to seek help. This caused me to reflect on the way I looked at them.

I felt awkward talking to unfamiliar people. God is humorous. When I say NO, God will make a way. I felt that this is the course I really need as  I am an introvert.  Though I look so cool on the outside but not within. People may think that eating a meal with people is no big deal. Eating with our fellow Christian brothers and sisters is more than just about eating a meal; it’s about fellowshipping and sharing our lives with one another. As a human being, we should treat everyone equally. As a community in the body of Christ we ought to show hospitality to each other.

We are given an assignment to have a meal with my classmates. I had lunch with my classmates within an hour and got to know them better. We shared our ministry, hobby and our life stories. It is a bonus to me. I treasured these precious moments with my classmates. As I thought of the sinners having a meal with Jesus,  I believed they must be very excited and felt it an honour to eat with Him.  

I learned to listen, respect and care for our older members. Last week, my mother had a fall at home and she accidentally spoiled the table fan which we bought for less than a year. I did not get upset; instead I asked her if she had injured herself. I applied what I have learnt in the class to care for her.  My mother is in her old age and she cannot see clearly. Therefore I have to ensure her safety at home. Praise the Lord, my mother responded well to my concern. I can see from her face the comfort she felt and  she is now more careful. I try to make an effort to accompany my parents to watch TV and have meals with them, whenever possible. We communicated with each other too. Every day I woke up earlier to go the market to buy food for my father and give injection for his diabetes.  Though it can be very tiring at times, and especially when I am not well, I am glad to make a difference in their lives.

There are times when I forgot to switch off our home broadband and left it overnight and my mother will usually nagged at me. I thank God that lately my mother did not nag at me but she gently reminded me to switch off the home broadband when I am not using it. She was so patience with me.  

I saw a Bangladeshi worker sweep and washed the floor in my neighbourhood. When I see them I will greet them. During Chinese New Year, I included them in the celebration of CNY and show them appreciation by giving them Mandarin oranges.

Few weeks ago, I saw a woman walking in the rain; her hands are full of things. I quickly ran to shelter her. She was surprised and she shared with me that her son took away her umbrella.  

I learned a valuable lesson that hospitality is not so much of benefitting myself, or gaining profit or making me happy when I do a good deed. When I was a stranger I received help from people and I am now paying forward by helping others. Christine D.Pohl said “ Hospitality becomes for the Christians community a way of being sacrament of God’s love in the world, a role which certainly fits the image in Romans 12 of hospitality as an expression of our lives offered up as “living sacrifice.”¹ It not easy for me to open myself, it requires courage and risk. Hospitality is a way of life; it must be cultivated over a life time. ”Hospitality is one of those things that has to be constantly practiced or it won’t be there for the rare occasion.” ²                  

1.      Christine D.Pohl,”Making Room (Wm.B.EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO), 34.

2.      Christine D.Pohl,”Making Room (Wm.B.EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO), 176.