Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Because the gospel is found only in the Bible, every sermon ought to be based on a text of Scripture, whether the theme is chosen first (and a supporting text is then found by concordance or prayer) or the text is chosen first and the theme grows from it, as illustrated by two worked examples from John 1:40-51 and Acts 8. Five rules for selecting a text follow: choose a real text (a complete statement used with its intended sense, not an isolated fragment); choose the great doctrinal and ethical texts without fear of overuse; avoid known interpolations found only in later manuscripts; avoid the uninspired sayings of men such as Job's three friends, Pharaoh, Satan, Balaam, or Pilate; and do not choose a text merely because it sounds odd or queer. Eight rules of interpretation then follow: read a text in its context; harmonize it with the whole Bible; harmonize it with sound systematic doctrine; take it literally unless it is obviously figurative; consult the original languages cautiously; consult other translations to avoid archaic misreadings; compare parallel passages; and consult sound exegetical commentaries without being a slavish follower of them.
Key points
- Every sermon ought to be based on a text of Scripture, since the gospel is found only in the Bible.
- A theme may be chosen first and a text found to support it, or a text may be chosen first and the theme grown from it.
- A real text is a complete statement used with the sense the author intended; isolated fragments are not proper texts.
- A text should never be chosen merely because it is odd, nor drawn from the uninspired sayings of men like Job's friends, Pharaoh, or Pilate.
- Eight rules of interpretation include reading in context, harmonizing with the whole Bible and sound doctrine, taking texts literally unless figurative, and consulting original languages, other translations, parallel passages, and good commentaries.
Key texts
- John 1:40-51
- Acts 8
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
- Hebrews 12:1
- Colossians 2:21
- Luke 14:26
From the course book
How to Choose and Interpret a Text · pp. 25-28 (reader pages 25-28) · Open the reader
- “A real text is one which is a complete statement, precept, or narrative used with the sense intended by the author.” (p. 26)
- “Do not choose texts simply because they are odd or queer. The serious minister has no time for novelties and curiosities.” (p. 26)
- “Interpret the text in the light of the context. A Verse of Scripture which seems to have one meaning may be seen to mean something else when the context is read.” (p. 27)
Put it into practice
- Confirm your chosen text is a real, complete statement used with its intended meaning, not an isolated fragment.
- Read the surrounding context of your text before building a sermon on it.
- Compare at least one other translation and a sound exegetical commentary before finalizing your interpretation.
- Comprehension
1. Why does the course insist that a sermon ought to be based on a text of Scripture?
- Scripture
2. Read John 1:40-51, used as the course's example. What theme did the preacher revise his sermon to after choosing this text?
- Comprehension
3. What is a 'real text' according to the first rule for selecting a text?
- Comprehension
4. Why does the course warn against using the sayings of Job's three friends as texts?
- Doctrinal Clarity
5. Explain the course's example of Colossians 2:21, 'Touch not, taste not, handle not.'
- Doctrinal Clarity
6. What is the first of the eight rules of interpretation, and why does the example of 1 Corinthians 2:9 illustrate it?
- Doctrinal Clarity
7. Why does the course caution preachers about quoting Greek and Hebrew in the pulpit?
- Contrast
8. Contrast choosing a theme first with choosing a text first, as the course describes the two approaches.
- Scripture
9. How does the course say Luke 14:26's command to 'hate' relatives should be interpreted, and by which rule?
- Application
10. Choose a text you might preach from and test it against the five rules for selecting a text. What did you find?