How to Understand the Bible Correctly - Masterclass

Week 2: Core Hermeneutics – Canonical Hermeneutics and Progressive Revelation

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and content of “Jesus’ Bible” (the Hebrew Bible) and its implications for interpretation.

2. Explain the original relationship between the Old and New Testaments within the biblical canon.

3. Trace the redemptive storyline of Scripture from creation to new creation.

4. Analyze the macrostructure of the Bible and its covenantal significance.

5. Apply redemptive-historical hermeneutics to interpret Scripture in light of its unfolding narrative.

6. Distinguish the interpretive roles of the Torah, historical writings, and the prophets.

7. Understand the continuity between the Gospels, apostolic instruction, and biblical history within God’s redemptive plan.

Literary and Grammatical Hermeneutics

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of literal hermeneutics and their application to historical genres.

2. Identify and interpret key features of apocalyptic, poetic, prophetic, and instructional biblical genres.

3. Recognize and interpret biblical idioms and figures of speech within their literary context.

4. Analyze how genre influences the meaning and application of biblical texts.

5. Apply grammatical tools—such as verb forms, syntax, and number usage—to enhance accurate interpretation.

6. Evaluate specific case studies to practice genre-sensitive and grammatically sound interpretation.

The Fuzzy Boundary between Poetry and Narrative

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Conduct close readings of biblical texts to observe literary and structural features.

2. Identify theological and practical implications derived from the text.

3. Apply interpretive insights to the original (ancient) cultural and historical setting.

4. Draw faithful applications for contemporary (modern) contexts.

5. Analyze different interpretive approaches to the Psalms as a case study.

6. Reflect on personal and providential applications of Scripture in light of its broader message.

Redemptive Hermeneutics and Typology

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Explain the foundational principles of Christ-centered (Christocentric) hermeneutics.

2. Distinguish between salvific and non-salvific content in Scripture and their interpretive implications.

3. Trace key themes through progressive revelation and identify major biblical trajectories.

4. Understand the significance of Old Testament offices (prophet, priest, king) in redemptive typology.

5. Define and apply typology as a method of interpretation rooted in redemptive history.

6. Analyze how Jesus fulfills Old Testament themes and figures.

7. Identify and interpret direct Messianic prophecies in their original and New Testament contexts.

A Case Study for Historical Backgrounds

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Engage with complex historical events through concrete, text-based analysis.

2. Recognize the interconnectedness of historical developments and the nuances of human experience.

3. Draw meaningful connections between historical events and the interpretation of Scripture.

4. Analyze multifaceted historical phenomena with depth and clarity.

5. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate the significance and lessons of historical contexts.

6. Cultivate empathy by considering diverse perspectives on historical and cultural issues.

7. Identify and articulate parallels between past events and present-day challenges to enhance the relevance of biblical interpretation.

Interpretation of Narrative Texts

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Identify and apply a structured framework for interpreting biblical narrative texts.

2. Analyze the narrative form of Scripture, including plot, characters, and setting.

3. Evaluate how narratives communicate theological meaning and normative instruction.

4. Distinguish between descriptive and prescriptive elements within narrative passages.

5. Determine the author’s emphasis and intended message through narrative structure and flow.

Symbolic Analysis: Poetic, Prophetic, and Apocalyptic Texts

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between biblical symbolism and allegory in interpretive practice.

2. Identify the origins and functions of symbols in biblical literature.

3. Explore the interpretive keys and patterns used to understand prophetic symbolism.

4. Analyze prophetic constellations and composite symbols for theological meaning.

5. Interpret poetic symbolism within biblical poetry using genre-sensitive methods.

6. Evaluate prophetic symbolism through specific case studies.

7. Examine apocalyptic symbolism, identifying its imagery, structure, and theological significance.

Thematic Analysis: Themes, Motifs, and Word Studies

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Conduct word studies using local literary context to determine meaning.

2. Trace the use of key terms across the biblical canon to uncover theological themes.

3. Analyze word usage in light of Jewish cultural and religious backgrounds.

4. Incorporate insights from Greco-Roman sources to clarify semantic range and usage.

5. Interpret Johannine word patterns through close study and test cases.

6. Identify and distinguish between concrete motifs and abstract theological themes.

7. Utilize symphonic theology and topical hermeneutics to integrate Scripture’s diverse voices into unified interpretation.

Week 10: Applied Hermeneutics – Prophetic Fulfillments: The Use of the OT in the NT

Goals for the Week:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Explain the hermeneutical principles of biblical theology as they relate to the unity of Scripture.

2. Identify the interpretive presuppositions held by biblical authors in their use of the Old Testament.

3. Apply the promise–fulfillment framework to trace prophetic connections between the Testaments.

4. Differentiate between analogy and typology in prophetic correspondence.

5. Recognize the enduring authority of the OT within NT narratives and theological structures.

6. Analyze prophetic reversals and inverted fulfillments in the NT’s use of the OT.

7. Synthesize a final methodology for interpreting the OT in light of its fulfillment in Christ and the NT witness.