It is important to be aware of one's assumptions when studying Scripture. The same is true when reading someone else's analysis of a passage. Being aware of the assumptions involves considering their certainty. In a comment on a previous entry, I presented a case where an assumption is applied with more confidence or rigidity than it might deserve. It precludes one or more interpretations that probably better fit the text than the one that results under a strict application of the assumption.
A positive example of applying a framework in the interpretation of a verse can be found in 1 Corinthians 2:10b - “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (NIV). Reading this verse gives me the image of a man methodically exploring a library. The man learns new knowledge as he reads the books. We know that God is a triune God so this analogy is incorrect. The Spirit is God and therefore omniscient. The word searches could have been knows or understands, but those words do not have the sense of activity that search possess. No, searches is the right word, but we have to understand it differently from how we might search for car keys that were misplaced.
Comments
An example of an assumption that affected my thought process with regards to 1 Corinthians 2:9 is my concept of academic citation. I was trained in a modern, academic environment and so think about citing references in a particular way. I would probably have to read Jewish literature contemporary to Paul's time to get a better understanding of how they cited quotes and references to the Law and Prophets. I do not judge that it is worth this type of effort (my effort), but it helps to be aware of my modern bias.
Posted by: CJ Costello on Friday, July 8, 2005