The whole-Bible context is the context you work with to identify patterns and themes that run through (you guessed it…) the whole Bible and pay attention to whether such themes are also present in the verses you are trying to interpret. That context is the canonical context, or, labeled differently, the whole-Bible context. No, there is another context that is crucial if you want to read the Bible well. But are those two contexts (the literary and historical contexts) the only two contexts you need to pay attention to when reading Scripture? It can be terribly frustrating (maddening, actually) to listen to people interpret the Bible who glibly ignore literary and historical contexts. The dissenters are correct that the literary context (the verses surrounding these verses) connects the reader to a particular historical context, that is, return from the Babylonian exile. “Pay attention to the context!” is the reminder they offer, and, truthfully, a reminder that all of us need to hear.īut I think that there is a bit more to consider in biblical interpretation. Thus, these verses apply only to the exiled Israelites living in the 6th century B.C. They are strengthened with the thought that when they seek the Lord with all their heart they will find the Lord.īut teachers of the Bible sometimes point out that the immediate literary context pertains to God’s promise to bring back the people of Israel from Babylon after 70 years in exile (Jeremiah 29:10). They are heartened when they read that God hears their prayers. People love these verses because they find encouragement in the thought that God has good intentions for them even in the midst of suffering. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV). Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:11-13 are favorite verses for many people:įor I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. I hope to model something about how to interpret the Bible at the same time. This post will explore whether such disparagement is appropriate, and conclude that often it is not. “You’re not paying attention to the context!,” they loudly protest ( … as I have). It has become increasingly popular in recent years for teachers of the Bible (myself included) to disparage people who apply Jeremiah 29:11-13 to their lives.
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