Rod Decker article on hermeneutics and ministry

In looking for something in my emails, I came across an old article I sent to one of my professors at aGts back in 2006 – a lengthy article by Rod Decker called Respecting the Text (pdf) that I thought I would link for those interested.

It talks about hermeneutics and he ties it in with ministry and preaching.  Again, it is pretty long (a packed 18 pages) but may be well worth the reading – print it out and save it or read it that way if it will help.

Here is a very brief snippet that notes the essence of the article:

What about the Bible?  Do we interpret it different from the newspaper? The answer is not a simple yes or no.  The issue is a bit more complex than that.  So let’s look at some of the issues involved when we interpret holy Scripture.  Having done that, then we want to ask another question: How does all this affect how we do ministry?

Have fun and feel free to let me know what you think!  🙂

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed merry Christmas and great New Year!

^{Luke 2:8} And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Many Blessings in this coming New Year!