{"id":1870,"date":"2023-11-07T13:05:10","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T13:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1870"},"modified":"2024-01-16T18:37:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T18:37:46","slug":"supplement-to-expanding-on-the-application-step-for-bible-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1870","title":{"rendered":"Supplement to Expanding on the Application Step for Bible Study \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. Introduction<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 31, 2023, I posted an article entitled \u201cExpanding on the Application Step for Bible Study\u201d [link: EXPANDING ON THE APPLICATION STEP FOR BIBLE STUDY | Steve Belsheim<\/a>.  Recently, I came across a very interesting book entitled \u201cA Visual Theology Guide to the Bible \u2013 Seeing and Knowing God\u2019s Word\u201d by Tim Challies and Josh Byers.  The authors use diagrams to assist in teaching the substance of the book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On pages 94-97, Challies et al. discuss the application step of the three-step Bible study method (observation, interpretation, and applications).  This post supplements my earlier discussion with the authors’ questions in their book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  The Overarching Questions for the Application Step<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are the overarching questions to ask in connection with the application step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What response(s) did the original writer intend to elicit from his intended audience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 How culturally-bound are those responses?  Does the intended response(s) apply only to the specific circumstance of the passage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 If a response is culturally-bound, does it represent a cross-cultural principle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Specific Questions from My Earlier Post<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specific questions from the book entitled \u201cPutting the Bible to Work\u201d by Daniel Doriani are below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Does the interpretation influence my character?  Who should I be?  That is, how can I become the person or obtain the character that allows me do what is right, i.e., live in a way consistent with the interpretation?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Does the interpretation present a duty?  What should I do?  That is, what is my duty in light of the interpretation?  How does my present conduct correspond to each applicable duty?  How do I change my life to comply with the duty?  Do I expect this change to be transformational?  What do I plan to do to experience this transformation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Does the interpretation define a goal?  To what causes should I devote my life energy?  That is, what goal(s) as exemplified by the interpretation should I pursue?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Does the interpretation relate to discernment?  How does the interpretation help me to distinguish between truth and error?  That is, how does the interpretation help me gain discernment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.  Specific Questions from Challies et al.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challies et al. use a head, heart, and hands approach to the questions of the application step.  First, under the heading HEAD \u2013 Allowing the Word to Shape My Mind\u201d the questions comprise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage teach me about God\u2019s nature?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage teach me about myself in relation to God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage teach me about doctrine or the Christian life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, under the heading \u201cHEART \u2013 Allowing the Word to Shape My Affections\u201d the questions comprise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage tell me to feel?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage tell me to love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 What does this passage tell me to hate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, under the heading \u201cHANDS \u2013 Allowing the Word to Shape My Actions\u201d the questions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Do I have sin that needs to be confessed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Is there an explicit command that I need to follow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Is there an example that I need to follow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 How can I advance God\u2019s Kingdom based on this passage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Conclusion<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, I believe that if you ask the above questions your application(s) of the single correct interpretation of a text you will develop legitimate application(s) of a properly interpreted text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I wrote in my earlier post, please keep in mind that this method is a work in progress and will undoubtedly develop over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure about your salvation or are not a Christian, you must continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation<\/em> and Spiritual Growth<\/em> (book link at Xulon Press: https:\/\/www.xulonpress.com\/bookstore\/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638<\/a> ).  At Amazon the book link is  https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual\/dp\/1662828632<\/a> .  I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book.  The link to my website for the book is https:\/\/thesalvationmeter.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 please (1) read through \u201cGod\u2019s Plan of Salvation\u201d so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d meaning every word.  If you do, you will be reconciled to God \u2013 saved – through Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe.  As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him.  For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve.  But Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God, whereby Adam\u2019s sin was passed down to all of humanity, creating a separation between God and humanity.  We cannot do anything to bridge that separation so that without God\u2019s intervention, hell is our eternal destination.   Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy, God provided us with the only<\/u><\/strong> means of salvation through Abraham\u2019s lineage by sending the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, God\u2019s only unique Son.  While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, thereby fulfilling the Law, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all people.  Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Jesus\u2019 sacrifice on the cross, thereby exhausting God\u2019s wrath against humanity.  God now calls on every unbeliever to repent of their sins and completely trust in Christ alone that Jesus died for their sins and rose to life from the dead.  Every unbeliever who repents and trusts in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of all their sins (past, present, and future) and born again as a new creation in Christ, possessing guaranteed eternal life with God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25;  Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life.  I know I\u2019m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell.  But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven.  I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation.  Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You so much for saving me.  I am now Yours forever!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or “fair use” is available and\/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be “fair use.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “NCV” is taken from the New Century Version.  Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.  All rights reserved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scriptures marked “NET” are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae  http:\/\/netbible.com copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.  All rights reserved”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “GW” is taken from the God’s Word Bible that is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations.  Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible\u00ae, Used by Permission HCSB \u00a91999,2000,2002,2003,2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible\u00ae, Holman CSB\u00ae, and HCSB\u00ae are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1. Introduction On October 31, 2023, I posted an article entitled \u201cExpanding on the Application Step for Bible Study\u201d [link: EXPANDING ON THE APPLICATION STEP FOR BIBLE STUDY | Steve Belsheim.  Recently, I came across a very interesting book entitled \u201cA Visual Theology Guide to the Bible \u2013 Seeing and Knowing God\u2019s Word\u201d by Tim […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[321],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-study"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1870"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1872,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870\/revisions\/1872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}