January 20th, 2023

So, I started working on a post yesterday, got about 70% done, then saved it for later. I came back today to finish it...and guess what...poof, all gone. That is frustrating! So, I suppose I'll start over again. During the last 2 weeks of January Joe Nichols and Dean Haines will be speaking on Sunday. This gives me an opportunity to focus on some other things here on the blog.  So, over the next couple of weeks I want to dive into some of the things I'm learning in my Biblical Interpretation class. These are academic in nature, more about form and function and less about individual scriptures. That said, I will (of course) incorporate scripture in what I'm learning (as much as possible). These entries will be a bit longer, due to the nature of the subject...plus, it will help me process what I'm learning for my class.
Today I want to go over what my textbook refers to as the "interpretive journey" of proper hermeneutics. There are 5 steps to proper Biblical interpretation:
1. What did the text mean to the original audience?
2. What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
3. What is the theological principle in this text?
4. How does our theological principle fit with the rest of scripture?
5. How should individual Christians today live out the theological principle? 
Over the next few days I will be using Joshua 1: 1-9 as an example of what it looks like to use these steps on a portion of scripture. 
Let's take the first one today:
1. What did the text mean to the original audience?
As an example we will use Joshua 1: 1-9
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; [b]be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may [c]have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may [d]be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will [e]have success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I chose this passage from Joshua because it's an easy passage to exercise our hermeneutic muscles on (plus, it's the one that my textbook uses..lol).
Ok, for this text, let's answer the first question in our "interpretive journey."
What did the text mean to the biblical audience?
God was speaking to Joshua, the new leader of Israel. God wanted Joshua to draw strength and courage from His presence and be obedient to the law of Moses.  Also, God wanted Joshua to meditate of the law, as it would be the key to the future success of Israel. To me, it seems that God is giving Joshua a "pep-talk" of sorts. Also, this could have served as a reminder to the people that God chose Joshua to lead after the death of Moses (but that is my own speculation). 
What do you think this text meant to the biblical audience? 
In my next entry we will answer the next couple of questions.