The Bridge to Historic-Cultural Context

Understanding God’s Phrase–Second of Three Blogs

As I develop in my Bible finding out course of, I perceive that discovering God’s which means (authorial intention) in Scripture will not be one-dimensional. On the elementary degree, when studying a selected passage, the reader should “zoom out” to see how the textual content connects with earlier and subsequent passages. Nevertheless, beginning information of historic context is paramount. Why is that this vital? Yahweh used authors in particular occasions and specific conditions. On the fundamental degree, as soon as we perceive what He was conveying to previous audiences, we will higher perceive what He’s saying to us immediately. The Lord’s phrase is for individuals of all occasions.

At the moment, we’ve got extra sources than ever to assist us make this historical-cultural connection. Bible handbooks, commentaries, Bible atlases, and Bible histories are just a few examples of instruments that may be utilized. Whereas the web has sources, readers should rigorously extract correct and dependable data.

So, what questions ought to we ask ourselves as we search to grasp historical-cultural context? In Greedy God’s Phrase, Duvall and Hayes counsel the next inquiries to get began: [1}

• Who was the author?

• What was his background?

• When did he write?

• What was the nature of his ministry?

• What kind of relationship did he have with the audience?

• Why was he writing?

• Who was the biblical audience?

• What were their circumstances?

• How was their relationship to God?

• What kind of relationship did they have with each other?

• What was happening at the time the book was written?

• Are there any other historical-cultural factors that might shed

  light on the book?

After understanding what the text meant to the original biblical audience and discerning our cultural differences, Duvall and Hayes call out the “Principlizing Bridge.” This is where we identify the intended meaning of the author. The serious Bible reader will then determine how the author’s meaning fits with the rest of the Bible’s theological principles. Finally, we should apply these principles to how we live today. [2}

My recent personal examples of engaging cultural-historical context:

• Applying the Duvall and Hayes questions in a study of Ephesians, I asked myself, “Why did Paul write to the church in Ephesus, and who was he writing to?” His relationship with the church and their environment made it clear. Of his letters to churches, Ephesians is the most general. Specifically, it does not appear to address specific issues or conflicts in the church. But with that said, his audience lived in a setting that would exert tremendous pressure on the church and new Christians. Paul knew the church audience at Ephesus; he ministered there for three years. It can be inferred that Paul realized the lure of Christians to assimilate back into the culture and traditions they had left behind. Maintaining a unified body under Christ would have been an extremely important exhortation. Regarding culture, Ephesus is much like America- affluent and influential, with many alternative gods. Reminding Christians of Christ’s love and their walk with Him was vital in Ephesus as it is in America today.

• Understanding the historical-cultural context helps us to recognize our pre-understandings and faulty views. Growing up, I believed Pontius Pilate was sympathetic to Christ or some kind of “hero,” as he seemed reluctant to give Christ to the Jewish crowd. His statement drove this perception, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves (Matthew 27:24b).” However, the political reality that only Rome had the authority to legally execute those convicted of a crime paints a different picture. In addition, referencing the historian Josephus, we understand Pilate’s unsympathetic nature towards Jewish laws. This context shines a different light on Pilate for the reader, and it is beneficial in understanding the author’s environment at the time. Pilate acted in self-preservation and desired to appease the mob. The writers of the Gospels understood this reality.

Comprehending historical-cultural context is not an option for those who desire to understand the Lord’s intended meaning. The authors of the text did not lay out all the nuances and understandings of their culture for modern audiences. These things were assumed and did not have to be explained to the original readers. Thus, we must research to understand their environments fully.

In conclusion, the Lord conveyed His message through different authors and at other times. Audiences of all times must seek His meaning by understanding historical environments. May the Lord give us all the desire to pursue His truth continually. Blessings!

1. Duvall, Scott, and Hayes, Daniel. Grasping God’s Word (Grand Rapids, MI; Zondervan Academic, 2020), 120. Kindle.

2. Duvall and Hayes, Grasping God’s Word, 26-31. Kindle.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the way of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of Yahweh,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not rise in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For Yahweh [e]is aware of the best way of the righteous,

However the best way of the depraved will perish.