Faith & Reason Nexus

A. THE FIRST STEP IS PRAYER. ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SEE WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT.

Read familiar passages carefully.

Example: Luke 15:4 – “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them…”

Question: Where did he leave the ninety-nine? In the wilderness. Be careful in interpreting.

B. KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE OVERALL BOOK IN WHICH THE PASSAGE APPEARS.

Determine if the book is from the Old or New Testament.

Identify the type of literature:

Law

History

Literature

Prophecy

Biography

C. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OVERALL CONTEXT.

Consider the broader context, not just the single passage.

D. WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE TEXT?

Identify the author of the passage.

Who is speaking or being quoted?

Was the speaker inspired or uninspired?

E. TO WHOM IS THE TEXT ADDRESSED?

Understand the people addressed: their background, situation, and struggles.

Determine their relationship with God and their service to Him.

Recognize the particular problems and weaknesses the passage addresses.