A Reading the Bible Is Not a Spectator Sport!@ You need to get involved.
Three-step procedure for the study of any given text:
Step # 1 Formulating the Teaching of the Text for Christian believers Today in a Particular Context and its Preliminary Analysis. Contextual Frame of the Interpretation (see Step #1 Form)
a) Presentation of the teaching and concrete illustration (in Step # 1 Reports, Part A): What is, according to you, the teaching for Christian believers today of a given passage from Romans? What difference it makes for believers in a specific situation? (The AChristian believers@ you envisioned above might be very different from you B especially if you belong to another religious tradition or if you are non-religious.)
b) Preliminary analysis of its contextual frame (in Step # 1 Reports, Part B, Analysis) How do each of these two interpretations relate the text to the Christian believers= lives? In each case: 1) What is the issue in life which the text invites the Christian believers/readers to think about? 2) What is the root-problem (need) the text address for Christian believers? 3) How does the text provide a solution for this problem? What role does the text as Scripture play to provide this solution?
c) How do you personally assess the value of this teaching? (in Step # 1 Reports, Part C, Personal Assessment) A preliminary Step # 3, because: Interpretation of Scripture always matters. It affects people positively or negatively; it brings forgiveness or condemnation; it comforts or it hurts; it includes or it excludes; it liberates or it oppresses; it brings good news of love or destructive news of hate; it gives life or it kills-literally. For better or for worse, Interpretation of Scripture always matters. BECAUSE BELIEVERS LIVE BY IT.
Step # 2 Comparing the Themes and Textual Evidence emphasized in other interpretations with those emphasized by your own interpretation of each text: a) Elucidation of their hermeneutical frames: What are the themes which focus these interpretations? How do Christian believers make sense of these texts in terms of these themes? How do scholars interpret the same themes? How did you? b) Elucidation of their analytical frames: What is the specific (textual, historical, literary, sociological, etc.) evidence upon which these interpretations are based? How do Christian believers and scholars ground their interpretations in the text? How did you?
Step # 3 Comparing Reasons for Choosing an Interpretation. Further elucidation of the contextual frames. Each interpretation is characterized by the choices of a specific hermeneutical frame (theme) and of a specific analytical frame (significant textual dimension). Why was this interpretation chosen? Is it the best in a given context? More specifically, about each interpretation we ask: What needs does it address or fail to address in a specific context? What problematic effects does it have (or could potentially have) in a specific context? Who benefits? Who is hurt? What is the role of convictions and values in the Christian believers= choices of an interpretation? In the scholars= choices of interpretations? In your choice of an interpretation?