BBI Part Three

Now that the biblical interpreter has asked a series of questions, what next? The logical solution is to begin to research and find answers for those questions.  This response is typical and EVENTUALLY necessary, but still premature.


BBI Part Three: Read Again
The third step in interpreting the Bible would be to read the passage again now that you have some questions. The first read introduces you to the text, the second part introduces questions that illuminate the areas where further understanding is necessary prior to interpretation.  The third part, re-reading is a necessary element since it will clarify the questions, or in the language of BBQ Pitmasters that I have enjoyed viewing recently "render the fat," getting rid of some unnecessary elements and infusing the other questions with more meaning/flavor!

This third part is the element that determines which questions are crucial to the interpretive process and which are merely peripheral questions that may be simple rabbit chases.  Since the goal is to interpret the text and not to chase rabbits the inclusion/ignorance of this part is crucial to the final product.

How then should one read? I suggest the descriptor: carefully.  What does this mean? The word has two avenues of understanding and both should be heeded.  First, carefully implies to make sure of avoiding potential danger. Rabbit chases are replete with potential danger. The opportunity exists for heads to be bumped on low hanging limbs, clothes to be snagged, torn or shredded by thorns, branches, and wires, and for the object of the chase to be lost and other more appealing avenues pursued that have no relationship to the primary concern, the text itself.

Second, carefully implies to be done with attention. Attention must be given to clues, to implications, to prior perceptions of the text, and even to what tradition might inform regarding the text. The lack of attention to the details of the text and its interpretive world leads to the hubris of "original thought" when very little is actually original regarding biblical interpretations.

Having read with questions in mind, part 3b is to identify the questions worth pursuing in the interpretive process. This will lead to part four.