BEREANS BIBLE INSTITUTE

MODULES: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

1 Corinthians 1:22-29 LGV
"22 Since also Judeans demand a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 yet we proclaim the Anointed having been crucified. To the Judeans [He is] a scandal indeed, to the Greeks an absurdity, 24 but to those - the invited, both Judeans and Greeks - [He is] the Anointed, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God, 25 since the absurdity of God is wiser than [wisdom] of men, and the feebleness of God is stronger than [strength] of men. 26 For you see your invitation, brothers, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many strong, not many well-bred [are invited]. 27 But God chose the simple things of the world so that He may humiliate the wise. And God chose the feeble things of the world so that He may humiliate the strong. 28 And God chose the un-well-bred things of the world, and the despised things, and non-existent things so that He might discard the things that exist 29 whereby no flesh might boast in His sight."

The 4Winds 10 Principles of Biblical Interpretation:

I. The original prophetic Scriptures are "God-breathed," entirely harmonious and accurate, never contradictory.

II. The Scriptures, illumintaed by the "Breath of Truth," are God's entire preserved revelation, sufficient to fully equip the man of God. There is no other reliable source or foundation for truth.

III. The grammar of the original languages must not be violated, but it's nuances allowed to guide interpretation. Hebrew and Greek words must not be given special ("spiritual") meanings apart from their common usage throughout Scripture.

IV. Interpretation must be from within the historical setting and context, and must not be used beyond the apparent purpose in that context.

V. While metaphors, parables, and allegories are often used, literal interpretation should be by default whenever it makes sense. Non-literal interpretations must be obvious and fully explained.

VI. Jesus' and the Apostles' explanations must always be followed to unlock and explain the "mysteries" concealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.

VII. Interpretation must be progressive; newer revelation compliments and explains older revelation, but never contradicts it.

VIII. All illogical reasoning must be rejected, including all doctrines that require holding mutually exclusive ideas or illogical conclusions.

IX. All doctrines must be consistent with God's revealed character and stated purposes, and with all other acknowledged doctrines.

X. Every effort must be made to trace modern doctrines back to their source to see when, where, why, and how they originated and developed. This includes both within Scripture itself and in the post-apostolic period, especially the Ante-Nicene era prior to and including the Council of Nicaea (AD 325).

John Wycliffe, the first to translate the New Testament into English (circa 1384), had the following advice for those who read his translation:

"It shall greatly helpe ye to understande Scripture,
If thou mark
Not only what is spoken or wrytten,
But of whom,
And what tyme,
Where,
To what intent,
With what circumstances,
Considering what goeth before
And what followeth."

There are 12 BBI modules for basic instruction in the pristine Faith:

1. Reasons to Believe

2. The Doctrine of God

3. The Doctrine of Man

4. The Destiny of Man

5. The Redemption of Creation

6. The Life of Christ

7. The Apostolic Mission

8. The Christian Assembly

9. The Christian Home

10. The Book of Hebrews

11. The Book of Revelation

12. Faithful Shepherds

My prayer for each person using these modules is for them to be humble before God's Word, that they earnestly seek to conform every area of their own lives to God's Word and will, and then share the pristine Faith with others. -- Tim