{"id":3889,"date":"2014-06-25T08:28:05","date_gmt":"2014-06-25T00:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?p=3889"},"modified":"2015-08-14T06:44:53","modified_gmt":"2015-08-14T11:44:53","slug":"the-logic-of-biblical-application-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2014\/06\/25\/the-logic-of-biblical-application-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Logic of Biblical Application (Part 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Does it matter what method we use when trying to find the application of a biblical text? Yes, it does\u2026.\"hand-683909_1280\"<\/a>
\nIn this post, I explain why<\/em><\/strong> we cannot be casual as to how to think about and look for application.<\/p>\n

In Part One of the series<\/a>, I suggested a more fully biblical meaning of \u201capplication\u201d than one often hears. The application of a text concerns one\u2019s total response\u2013\u2013our head, heart, and hands\u2013\u2013 not simply our actions. In Part Two<\/a>, I offered a method by which one can discern the application of a Bible passage.<\/p>\n

I began to explain why the sequence of the questions matters as well. The four questions (in order) included:<\/p>\n

1. How do the passage HONOR<\/strong> God?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

2. How does it affect our HEADS<\/strong>? (i.e. our thinking)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

3. How does it affect our HEARTS<\/strong>? (i.e. emotions, desires)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

4. How does it affect our HANDS<\/strong>? (i.e. hands)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Is this method really any better than other approaches<\/a>? For example, a common tool that people use is called SPECKA.<\/p>\n

S<\/strong> = Sin (Is there a sin to confess?)<\/p>\n

P<\/strong> = Promise (Is there a promise from God?)<\/p>\n

E<\/strong> = Example (Is there an example to follow?)<\/p>\n

C<\/strong> = Commands (Are there commands to obey?)<\/p>\n

K<\/strong> = Knowledge (What does this passage teach us about God? ourselves? others?)<\/p>\n

A<\/strong> = Accountability (Where do we need accountability?)<\/p>\n

I am not a fan of SPECKA nor many other similar sets of questions. I think the 4 H- questions above (honor, head, heart, hands) are better. I\u2019ll explain.<\/p>\n

The Biblical Logic of Application Questions<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

These four questions are not simply the product of my own random preference. I suggest three reasons for using these 4 questions rather than others.<\/p>\n

1. Basic Logic of Life<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

As I mentioned in the last post<\/a>, the four questions follow the natural and necessary order of all human actions. Every single things we do follows the same sequence\u2013\u2013we first have a thought in the brain, which then spurs some sort of emotion or desire. Accordingly, we make the decision to take one course of action over others. Everything from going to the bathroom to getting married follows this order,\u2026even if it\u2019s quick and unconscious.\"chinese-676649_640\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

2. Biblical Commandments<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Recall what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, strength, and mind. The second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. Break down those two commands. Here are some observations.<\/p>\n