Reader, Writer Exchange Thoughts on Understanding the Bible

Insight Readers Respond Feb. 3, 2023

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Re: The importance of historical context in understanding Christian faith

I have just been reading what Steve Harper says about belief and beliefs, and this brings me back to a thought I've been having. Interpreting the Bible needs always to be done while understanding what was going on in the lives of people during the times when the Bible was written. Historical context matters.

And this is the question that has been on my mind: I don't believe that, at the time any books of the Bible were written, anyone had any idea about what it would be like for people to live where there was a democratic government. The way things developed in Bible times saw people ruled by kings and/or living under the domination of foreign powers. The command to love one's neighbor did not extend to working for a just society and working for the common good, as Christians in nations with democratic governments may understand this now.

I appreciate United Methodist Insight, which I read regularly, and I would appreciate hearing from anyone. Perhaps Steve Harper?   

George Klohck, retired UM elder in the New England Conference, Middlebury, VT

Steve Harper Replies

Hi, George! I am glad that my blog post "Beyond Beliefs" stimulated your thinking. I am always happy when my writing does that.

Your thoughts about historical context are important, and I appreciate them. I have two responses to what you have written. I hope they are helpful.

First, the interpretation of Scripture begins with the observation of historical context. You are absolutely correct in that. The original setting of a passage is crucial for understanding it. This is where a credible exegete is, in the words of Paul, "one who interprets the message of truth correctly" (2 Timothy 2:15). Historical-critical methodology is where hermeneutics begins, and you rightly note this. Thank you.

Second, the interpretation of Scripture is larger than its historical context. With historicity in place, hermeneutics moves on to draw "timeless truths" from time-sensitive passages. Indeed, the entire Bible is time sensitive, so if historical context is the sole interpretive factor, then the Bible's message stops when the last book in the New Testament was written. Nothing in Scripture would apply to life later on if biblical truth is confined to its original setting.

The Christian faith has never believed this about Scripture. From the close of the New Testament era until now, hermeneutics moves from historical context to contemporary relevance. In exegesis, this is the application phase. It's what we do every time we preach, teach, write, or otherwise communicate the Bible's message. Time-sensitive contexts expand into perennial principles and practices.

With respect to your comments about "working for a just society" and "the command to love one's neighbor" both exhortations are clearly connected to a particular historical context. But Micah's words to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God" are larger than his own time. Jesus' admonition is too. If what we read in the Bible becomes moot outside its first setting, then every passage becomes such. And that is not the way Christians either approach Scripture.

We learn this from the first Christians themselves, who reference passages from the Hebrew scriptures written centuries earlier. But they enjoin believers in their day to live congruently with the ancient text. Indeed, Jesus' citation of the two great commandments took texts older than the Israelites' entrance into Canaan, and he used them to tell a lawyer, "God still wants you to do these two things." And twenty centuries later, we tell the world that God continues to want us to live this way too."

So yes, historicity is the context for the message, but the message itself transcends time, culture, social setting, governmental form, etc. Rooted in history (which makes it realistic), the biblical message enters our time (which makes it relevant). The Bible is a history book, but one connected to our history too. Obedience to a message is not confined to its original setting. Working for a just society and loving our neighbors never goes out of style.

George, I hope my thoughts have been helpful to you. Yours were surely helpful to me.

Steve Harper

George Klohck Responds

Hi, Steve,

Thank you for taking time to write this explanation of things to me. This all seems right on! I am still trying to get my head around the idea that people in any Biblical time did not have the freedom/responsibility that people living in democracies count on. The admonitions of Jesus and the Prophets are the same, but there may be a difference in how 21st century Americans hear them from how people living under the rule of kings and foreign rulers heard them.

These are surely difficult times we are living in, and I take responsibility to do my best to know what people in power are doing and to be an advocate for what Micah and Jesus call for.

Best to you from snowy and cold Vermont, George

Editor's note: For more of Dr. Steve Harper's views on how to read the Bible, see "The Jesus Hermeneutic" and "The First-Christians Hermeneutic." If the topic interests you, feel free to email comments to us at Insight.

'Nitty-gritty' prophetic preaching needed

I just finished a two-night seminar by the North Carolina Conference Metro District on the myths regarding disaffiliation. I mentioned in the chat Karl Barth’s comments paraphrased here: “That a preacher’s sermon should include holding the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other….” Our Church and Society and our Social Principles are part of fulfilling our founder, John Wesley’s messages ... and have both hands full as Barth suggested.

However, a vast missing ingredient is the growing absence of vital prophetic messages, too often from our pulpits, conferences and even our Council of Bishops regarding these Social Principles. They're easier to support in some ways from afar, i.e., "What a great job Church & Society is doing,” but the cry from our local communities and pulpits on these matters is waning, if not totally missing.

I’m of the Buccelli opinion while some of the info at the training was valuable, we never got to the “nitty gritty” fears that go beyond disagreement with the Discipline. So, I guess, I’ll have to share those points soon.

Anyway, your Insight is “insightful.” Keep it up, it’s valuable.

Eugene Buccelli, Charlotte, NC

What Jesus taught

Interesting newsletter.  When it comes to believing in Jesus and believing a religion, I believe that we don't need to be told what to believe. Too many religious organizations try to do this.  There is only one way and that is what Jesus taught us.

Bill Bean. Hamilton, MT

Dramatize better

You probably already know that the photograph of the Doomsday Clock shown in your current report, was comedically ridiculed on mainstream late-night television.

Atomic scientists need to find a better way dramatize what is surely a critical situation.

Barbara Osgood, PhD, via email

Editor's reply: Thanks, Dr. Osgood. Yes, we saw Stephen Colbert's joking critique of the Atomic Scientists' "Doomsday Clock" photo. We had the option of another photo with more action that we include below, but it didn't show the unveiled clock! Here's hoping the folks at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists take the joshing in a spirit of encouragement.

The observances are not the same thing

Friends and Fellow United Methodists at Insight:

Please correct your statement that International Holocaust Remembrance Day is known as Yom HaShoah.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is just that. Period. A day of global pause and remembrance of the Holocaust.

Yom HaShoah is another day, set typically in April. Yom HaShoah functions more as a memorial day within Jewish and other religious communities, typically observed with various expressions of religious services.

The two days are distinct in the way they are typically celebrated.

I do think it would be appropriate to acknowledge the mistake in your next issue. Perhaps, if not too uncomfortable, you might acknowledge the lack of research and familiarity with the Holocaust generally that makes this error so embarrassing for Insight editorial staff and perhaps as well for non-United Methodists who read Insight.

Peace and gratitude for your continuing work in other areas of UMC and general religious issues.

William M. Finnin, Jr., Th. D.

Lead Pastor, Big Pine United Methodist Church, Big Pine Key, FL

Editor's reply: Dear Dr. Finnin, you're right on every count. The error you mention came in writing our weekly news report, probably through the lack of fact-checking but possibly just a "brain skip" on the editor's part. We are duly corrected and grateful and will note the correction in the next newsletter issue.

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