Anush John's Sermon Podcast

The Basics of Biblical Interpretation [1.0] The Literal Interpretation. [1.1] The dictionary sense: ” . . . the natural or usual construction and implication of writing or expression; following the ordinary and apparent sense of words; not allegorical or metaphorical” (Webster’s). When do we prefer NOT to use the literal sense: 1. When the figurative makes good sense. Or the figurative seems to have a more spiritual sense. 2. When the literal makes less sense. e.g. John 1:14  3. When leaders have interpreted something figuratively. 4. When a concept is figurative in one location, we tend to use it figuratively elsewhere. Eg. Acts 2  When should we use the figurative sense? 1. When that is incompatible with the context or purpose of the passage. 1 Cor. 3:13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. Matthew 8:22 2. When parallel passages explain the word or phrase in ques