June 11, 2008

• Question 75 – Necessities of Bible Study

  Question 75 – Necessities of Bible Study

   

  In your bible studies, after going through the significant words and phrases and the possible grammatical difficulties, you focus on the synchronic analysis and the diachronic analysis of the verse in question.  My question is, can a study of the words, the grammar and the immediate context sufficiently demonstrate the (literal) meaning of a verse without having recourse to diachronic analysis?  I know diachronic analysis is always fruitful, but is it always strictly necessary in determining the meaning of a verse?  I thank you very much for your time, Dr. Sungenis, and I eagerly await your response.  
  
  Gregory

    

  R. Sungenis: Greg, the short answer to your question is no, the diachronic analysis is not always strictly necessary in determining the meaning of a verse, but it is usually necessary. Generally speaking, the context of the whole Bible is necessary in determining the meaning of a verse because nothing one says is ever independent of anything else that has been said, which is especially true with the Bible, since it was written with diachronicity in view (e.g., prophecy, multiple covenants, eschatology, etc.). 

   

  • 11:39 am
  • Leave a comment