NBST 610
Presuppositions have to do with how we view the whole Bible and serves as the foundation on
which to build our method of study. Scott Duval and Daniel Hayes suggest that
preunderstandings refer to all of our preconceived ideas, thoughts, ideas beliefs, opinions and
understandings that we bring to the text which we have formulated either consciously or
subconsciously. It also consists of thoughts, experiences that we have of the text that make us
assume we already know or understand it. They go on to say that there are some presuppositions
that evangelicals hold, they include the authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the Trinity
understanding of God. (Duvall, 89). Our presuppositions and preunderstandings shape and
influence the way we approach scripture.
One test of our preunderstandings is whether they line up with what the scripture says (Klien,
163). All that we have come to know about scripture must always be subject to what is written in
the Bible. Duvall suggests that preunderstanding can tilt our understanding of the Bible and
move us to a place of misinterpretation.(p,94) He suggests that we submit our preunderstanding
to the text, placing our preunderstanding under the text as opposed to over the text. By
distinguishing all of our preconceived ideas and beliefs and then being open to changing them
and bringing them in line with a serious study of the text we can correctly interpret the text.
Another method of changing preunderstandings is to be engaged in the “Hermeneutical spiral”
Meaning as we continue to study the Biblical text its message should affect and alter our
preunderstandings in a repetitive manner bringing about progressive spiral of development. The
meaning of the text has not changed but our understanding/ interpretation has been altered,
enhancing the ability to understand more correctly (Klein,166).
In my own life many of the presuppositions I had came from the misinterpretation of the
scriptures of many of my relatives and friends. Growing up in the Baptist church at a certain age,
usually around eight or nine years old you were expected to become a candidate for baptism by
reason of Christian experience. Normally you would think that this would be glorious thing, but
at such a young age I never really understood the true meaning of being baptized. I believed that
it was just something I was expected to do. I believed in Jesus and accepted him into my life but
I did not know him like I do know. Years later after walking with Jesus I truly understood the
symbolism of the immersion in the water and significance of Baptism.
Offer a definition of the terms "presuppositions/foundational beliefs" and
"preunderstandings." How can we test preunderstandings to see if they are adequate or
appropriate? What can be done to change preunderstandings? List some of the
presuppositions or preunderstandings from your own life that may inform your reading of
Scripture. How does a person's intellectual and spiritual history (i.e., education and
religious instruction) influence the interpretation of texts? In what way then is objectivity
possible in the interpretation of Scripture?
I will submit that a person’s intellectual and spiritual history contributes a great deal to how a
person interprets text. There are certain influences that can be directly attributed to one’s
education and subject knowledge. Those who were raised in very religious households and
attended religious schools should be more knowledgeable about scripture than someone whose
only exposure to scripture was only occasional. There are exceptions to this , but this would
follow logic.
According to Duvall, achieving total objectivity is impossible for a reader of any text (Duvall,
94). He goes on to say that it should not be the goal of any believer to interpret any scripture
without faith or adopting the methods of unbelievers. Instead he argues that we should interact
with it and evaluate it in the light of our study of it. The key is to approach the text without
letting our preunderstanding block out what God wants to convey to us. For me this means to
enlist the help of the Holy Spirit to point out each truth to help me interpret God’s word.
J., Duvall Scott J. and Hays Daniel. Grasping God's Word A hands on approach to Reading, Interpreting,
and applying the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Jr., Klein William W. Blomberg Craig L. Hubbard Robert L. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Nashville
Tenn: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2004.
2.Using the 9 items to consider when reading sentences as listed in chapter 3 of Grasping God's
Word (i.e., repetition of words, contrasts, comparisons, lists, cause and effect, figures of speech,
conjunctions, verbs, pronouns), list as many observations as you can find in Acts 1:8.
You may list these by noting what category the item falls under (e.g., "contrasts") and then
offering an example of that item. For example, an observation would be to note that the sentence
starts off with the conjunction "but," which connects the sentence to the one above it in a
contrasting matter. This item could be listed under both "conjunctions" and "contrasts." We will
follow the basic instructions for this assignment as given on page 64 of your text. Do not offer an
interpretation or an application of the text. At this point I want you to list as many of the 9 items
as you can find. How do you think this exercise helps you to understand the text better?
What did you discover that you did not already notice about this passage?
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my
witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.
Repetition of words
You 3 Times – is the object of the sentence, refers to the apostles
Will 2 Times
In 2 Times
And 4 Times
The 3 Times
Contrasts
“ but” Implies contrast .
“but” Implies that this sentence is in disagreement with the one before it.
Comparisons
-Power refers to Holy Spirit- Power will come upon them when they get the Holy Spirit
-Power refers to witnesses- Holy Spirit and Power
Lists
In Jeruselm
In Judea
In Sumaria
Ends of the earth
Cause and Effect
“ When the Holy Spirit comes upon you”
-Indicates a cause and effect exist between the power and the Holy Spirit
-the power won’t come until the Holy Spirit comes
-gives timeframe
“You shall receive power
“You shall be my witnesses”-
-receiving power and being witnesses are connected by “and”
Figures of speech
To ends of the earth
-Preach the gospel to all mankind.
-Every place where there are people.
Conjunctions
And
but
Verbs
Shall be
Shall receive (future tense)- Power
Will be – ( active voice) implies after the Holy Spirit has come
Will be -is the verb future tense implies that this will happen after the Holy
Spirit has come
Comes
Pronouns
You
Holy Spirit
I found that this exercise made me take a deeper look at the scripture text
and concentrate on the actual sentence structure and implied meanings. I
also gave more thought to the situation and timing of the last words spoken
by Christ on the earth. I tried to imagine what the Apostles were thinking
and what emotions they were experiencing. I learned that in verse 6 and
Jesus warned his disciples not to be concerned about God’s future plans but
to use their energy to spread the gospel.
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