- To indicate a better choice (not this, but that)
- To contrast two different ideas or people or events
- To denote a complete, radical about-face
(My Sunday school boys call this 'the big but'.) This is my favorite one:
Faith and life meet in a story
By Paula
(My Sunday school boys call this 'the big but'.) This is my favorite one:
By Paula
By Paula
By Paula
Some days I need to
Listen rather than talk
Worship rather than whine
Glory rather than gripe
Today.
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
By Paula
By Paula
Last week we introduced the idea of examining the context to interpret Scripture, specifically the words around the passage you're studying. There are a few other factors to consider.
Geographical context – Where do the events take place? Remember, the events in Scripture don't take place in modern day North America. Many times the surroundings prompt psalms or teachings. For instance, in Matthew 24, Jesus and His disciples leave the temple in Jerusalem, and the sight of that building in all its grandeur leads Jesus to remark that not one of the stones from that magnificent building will be left on top of another. He then explains the framework for the destruction of the city and His own second coming. All that teaching occurs in the geographical context of Herod's temple.
Historical context – When do the events take place? The Bible spans hundreds of years of history. Things were different for Abraham than they were for Paul. Both are very different from our own perspective. Keep in mind the numerous scientific discoveries that hadn't been made yet, and still, the Biblical writers understood things like the water cycle (Job 36:27) and weather (Matthew 16), genetics (Genesis 30), prenatal development (Psalm 139). Things like representative democracy, quick travel and communication didn't exist.
Cultural context – How did the events fit into the larger scheme? In Biblical societies, slavery was commonplace. There was no opportunity to work hard and make a better life for yourself. If you were born poor, you'd die that way. Marriages happened under vastly different circumstances. Sickness likely meant death. The threat of invasion was an ever-present reality.
While God's word is relevant and applicable to us today, keep in mind the unique time and place in which it was written.