{"id":2478,"date":"2014-06-18T08:30:17","date_gmt":"2014-06-18T00:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?p=2478"},"modified":"2015-08-14T06:47:29","modified_gmt":"2015-08-14T11:47:29","slug":"a-simple-approach-to-applying-scripture-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2014\/06\/18\/a-simple-approach-to-applying-scripture-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Simple Approach to Applying Scripture (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

In the last post,<\/a> I highlighted the tendency to reduce \u201capplication\u201d merely to \u201cactions.\u201d In fact, biblical application involves our head, heart, and hands.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Photo Credit: Poster Boy via pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, I suggest an easy to use method whereby we can apply any Scripture passage, even if it doesn\u2019t tell us some action to do (or not to do). In this post, I\u2019ll give a summary explanation of the method.<\/p>\n

Later, I\u2019ll further explain why these points are not only less arbitrary than other approaches; in addition, we have Scriptural warrant for using this sequence of questions. There is a distinct logic here. There are advantages to asking these questions. That discussion however will come in part 3 of the series.<\/p>\n

We can ask four questions.<\/p>\n

The sequence of questions matters. Each one can be remembered with a key word beginning with the letter H<\/strong>. As with the method the interpretation I introduced<\/a> previously, so here there are some elements may be counter intuitive yet important nevertheless. For example, consider the first question.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. How does the text HONOR<\/b> God?<\/span><\/h2>\n

This question is not<\/i><\/span> about how we<\/i> should honor God; rather, we\u2019re asking how the passage we are reading <\/i>reveals thus honors God. How do the verses themselves attempt to show how special God is?<\/p>\n

As 1 Cor. 10:31 reminds us, all we do should be done for the glory of God. God is the main character in every Biblical passage. Therefore, our lead question should not<\/span> be, \u201cHow should I apply this verse?\u201d Instead, we first ask, \u201cHow does this passage honor God?\u201d By starting here, our obedience becomes a response to God<\/em>\u2013\u2013an expression of who God is and what He has done. There is no genuine obedience to God that is not rooted in and reflective of His glory.<\/p>\n

If we only had one question to ask of these four, then this first one is most important. Rightly perceiving God\u2019s worth can naturally produce godly responses in His children in ways we may not even be aware of. Honestly, we have to remind ourselves, \u201cWhat does it matter if we conform to some standard but without love for God in our hearts?\u201d
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. How should it affect our HEAD<\/b>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The next three questions have a positive and negative side.<\/p>\n

\"product_permalink\"<\/a>This second question concerns our thoughts. Positively<\/em>, what should we know and believe? Negatively<\/em>, what should I not think or believe? Truth matters. So many of the world\u2019s ills come from not knowing and believing the truth. One certainly can\u2019t love what can\u2019t be apprehended to some measure in the mind. I didn\u2019t say we have to have complete comprehension; however, we do need some degree of understanding. Imagine if I told you, \u201cAll people must love D&#kAe in order to s^73mcQ.\u201d You would have no idea what I mean, to ay nothing of loving and doing something.<\/p>\n

Of course, our \u201chead\u201d is just the beginning. I find a tendency in people to throw the baby out with the bath water. Because head knowledge is not sufficient to produce a godly life, people then start to demur or minimize head knowledge. Knowledge is for various kinds of obedient response. Obedience to truth is far more God-glorifying that compliance borne out of ignorance or even wrong beliefs. No doubt this way of thinking about knowledge has led to much anti-intellectualism (and its cousin \u201canti-theologicalism\u201d). Knowledge is necessary, even if it is not sufficient.<\/p>\n

A helpful book on the subject is John Piper\u2019s <\/a>Think<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n<\/p>

3. How should it affect our HEART<\/b>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

This third question relates to our desires, will, and affections. Positively, what should we feel and want? Negatively, what sin does this expose in my heart?<\/p>\n

Many are unaware that the Bible commands us to have and not have certain emotions. I recently heard one Christian woman say that we have the right to have any emotion we want because they are ours. First of all, this is faulty logic\u2013\u2013I don\u2019t have the right to possess drugs simply because they are mine. Second, this sentiment is in direct contradiction with Scripture. For examples, consider the following verses:<\/p>\n

Phil 4:4, \u201cRejoice<\/strong> in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph 4:26, 31, \u201cBe angry<\/strong> and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger<\/strong> \u2026 Let all bitterness<\/strong> and wrath<\/strong> and anger<\/strong> and clamor<\/strong> and slander be put away from you, along with all malice<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rom 12:15, \u201cRejoice<\/strong> with those who rejoice<\/strong>, weep<\/strong> with those who weep<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke 6:35, \u201cBut love<\/strong> your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Col 3:15, \u201cAnd let the peace<\/strong> of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each of these verses commands<\/em> some sort of emotional and volitional response. God commands our emotions (like joy) just as he does our actions.<\/p>\n

Do we take this seriously in our discipleship and personal application?<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. How should it affect our HANDS<\/b>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

This last question is easy enough to understand. Positively, what actions should I do? Negatively, what should I not do?<\/p>\n

However, one reason it\u2019s so hard to actually obey with our actions<\/em> is because we neglect the previous three questions. We don\u2019t get a clear view of God\u2019s glory such that our minds are changed and our hearts moved to spur us to act in a Christ-like manner.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

So Now What?<\/strong><\/em><\/h1>\n

Try using these questions in you personal devotions and in your Bible study groups.<\/p>\n

Slow yourself down and take each question in order.<\/p>\n

Remember the head, heart, and hands questions have both positive and negative aspects. The application implied by some texts is not always obvious.<\/p>\n

Let me know whether you get a bit more out of your Scripture reading.<\/p>\n

In a coming post, I\u2019ll explain the biblical and theological logic behind these questions.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the last post, I highlighted the tendency to reduce \u201capplication\u201d merely to \u201cactions.\u201d In fact, biblical application involves our head, heart, and hands. Today, I suggest an easy to use method whereby we can apply any Scripture passage, even if it doesn\u2019t tell us some action to do (or not to do). In this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2368,"featured_media":6611,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[37],"class_list":["post-2478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-missiology","tag-application"],"yoast_head":"\nA Simple Approach to Applying Scripture (Part 2)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In the last post, I highlighted the tendency to reduce "application" merely to "actions." 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