Wisdom

BI102: Exegetical MethodSeminari Theoloji Malaysia

25 September 2019Rev. Aaron Decker

Important Point #1

Wisdom is NOT Law.We o!en treat Law as a “Have To.”

It is about loving God and others.

Wisdom is not a “Have To.”It is about living we" and lives pleasing to God

Important Point #2

Every Wisdom book has a different message.

These amount to different THEOLOGICAL perspectives.

Interpreting Proverbs

Single-verse interpretationSti" relates to contextAnd overa" context of the book—The fear of Yhwh is the beginning of knowledge. (1:7)Poetry about Wisdom and Foolishness (Fo"y)Ch. 8: Wisdom Personified as Hagia Sophia

Interpreting Proverbs

Various co"ections

Ch. 10: “Solomon”Ch. 22b: “The Wise”Ch. 25: “Solomon” by way of Hezekiah

Ch. 30: Agur ben JakehCh. 31: King Lemuel’s Mom

Interpreting Qohelet

The depressed sage.Everything in life is worthless.

WisdomHedonismLaborFriendshipRighteousness

So live a good life and trust in God.

Interpreting Qohelet

Ch. 3: To everything there is a seasonFuneral context

Death comes, and life wi" come.

In its contextLife comes, and death wi" come.

Interpreting Song of Songs

Be careful how you use itPositive view of “the flesh”Lots of good mystical content8:6–7: Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is strong as death…Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

Interpreting Job

With or without context of Chapter 2?

Remember that the “)iends” are always wrong.And that Job is always right.

Interpreting Job

14.1: A mortal, born of a woman, has only a short time to live and is fu" of misery. He comes up like a flower, and withers.

14.7: For there is hope for a tree, if it cut down, that it wi" sprout again.

14.10: But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they?

19.25: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he wi" stand upon the earth. And a!er my skin has thus been destroyed, then in my flesh sha" I see God whom I sha" see on my side.

Interpreting Psalms

Various Types of PsalmsKingshipConfession (Individual or Communal)Lament (Ind/Comm)Thanksgiving (Ind/Comm)PilgrimageWisdomHymn of Praise

Interpreting Psalms

Designed for Worship

What’s the Worship Context?As a Bible Reading?As a Response?

As a Hymn/Song?As a Litany?As a Prayer?

Outside of Worship?

Interpreting Psalms

Look for sections and movementAsk why/how they transition )om one to next

Look for both emotion and theologyRemember that the settings are general (i.e. not David)

The Good and The Bad

Bad Happens Good Happens So…

Proverbs Wicked Righteous Be Wise

Qohelet Everyone Everyone Trust God

Song of SongsUnfulfilled

DesireIn Relationship Love

Job Righteous Wicked Persevere

Psalms From Wicked From God Pray and Praise

Final Course Thoughts

Remember your purpose in interpretation

Remember your tradition, especia"y when interpreting for worship/preaching

Final Course Thoughts(Roughly Speaking)

Tradition Lens Preaching

Anglican Worship and Tradition Drive us toward Jesus in Sacrament

Lutheran Law and GraceConvict Sin and

Encounter Jesus

Presbyterian Vocation in ResponseExhortation to Good

Works for Jesus

Methodist SanctificationCall to Holy Life Reflecting Jesus

Evangelical Mission Know and Share Good News of Jesus

Final Course Thoughts

There are lots of ways to get there……but it’s always fina"y about Jesus.