THE BIG PICTURE

Many Christians form their beliefs from isolated Bible texts taken out of context, rather than from an integrated understanding of the progressive revelation of the whole Bible.

In order to properly understand any particular passage of Scripture, it is necessary to consider carefully the context of the passage. The three primary rules of Bible interpretation are, "Context, Context, and Context." Otherwise, an isolated passage could be made to say almost anything. 

Here are some contexts we must observe when studying a passage of Scripture:

1. We must observe the immediate context, the paragraph and the theme of that book of the Bible. What is the overall theme of the book? How does the passage we're studying develop that theme? 

2. We must consider the context of the whole Bible and how the passage we are studying fits into the progressive revelation of God and His plan. This means, of course, that if we have not read through the entire Bible (more than once) we are not well-equipped to make definitive interpretations individual passages! That does not mean that a new Christian cannot gain spiritual benefit from a given passage until he has read the whole Bible, but it does mean he should approach the Bible humbly with a learner's attitude, willing to grow in his understanding. 

3. We must consider the historical and interpersonal context of a passage. Books of the Bible were written in a particular time and place and to particular people. What was the setting in which the book was written? Who was it addressed to and why? 

4. We must seek to understand the literary context of a passage. The Bible includes different kinds of literature: History, Biography, Instruction, Parables, Poetry, Prophecy, Apocalyptic, Letters (both personal and formal), and various subcategories. Many errors in interpretation and doctrine come from not considering the kind of literature the passage is found in. 

In conclusion, the Bible is not to a book of inspirational sayings. It is, as W. Graham Scroggie expressed it, "The Unfolding Drama of Redemption." The Bible the progressive revelation of God and His plan for the redemption of fallen people and all of fallen creation. Failure to see that Big Picture is what has led to myriad errors in interpretation. And the Internet is replete with "Bible teachers" who are all too willing to share their errors!