Task 2: Ask the 3 Development Questions to Each Point
Essence of the task
In this task we should apply the 3 development questions to each of the points specified in the previous task. Taking in consideration our audience, we must decide for each point whether it is necessary to explain, prove, or illustrate that point.
Detailed description
Haddon Robinson, in his book Biblical Preaching, argues that there are only three things that can be done for any idea in terms of its development. This task simply seeks to get us to evaluate the claims of our text through this grid. (For further development of these ideas, see pp. 79-98, Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching).
- Explain. Does this point require clarification? Basically, if you can imagine that someone in the congregation might not understand something in the affirmation your are looking at, it needs explanation.
- Prove. Does this point require a defense? Obviously, we take the veracity of the biblical text for granted, but when we ask this question, we become aware of the fact that not everyone in the audience will do the same. Some will have doubts and it will be necessary to prove the veracity of what the text affirms. It is also possible that someone will believe what the text claims, but will not understand how that works itself out in real life.
- Apply: Does this point need to be put into practice? This question focuses on the practicality of the statement under consideration. How should this point impact the listener’s life? The answer to this question is sometimes more straightforward, sometimes less so.
To Do
In view of what has been described above, in this task we should simply analyze – point by point – the main statements of our passage according to these three lenses and write down our conclusions. This will give us some guidance as to how we present the ideas of the text to our audience.
Let’s review the three lenses in more detail.
Explain. Robinson describes two ways to develop an explanation:
- If the biblical author himself explains his point, we must make use of that explanation. It is possible that his explanation requires further clarification for our audience, but we should at least start with the author’s own explanation of the text.
- On the other hand, there may be elements in the passage that our audience will not understand because, for example, they are from a different culture. Robinson asks it this way, «Are there elements in the biblical passage that the author takes for granted, but for which my audience requires an explanation?» (p. 80). [Find this direct quotation.]
Prove. On asking, is it true? Robinson explains, «An initial impulse of those who take the Bible seriously is to ignore that question and assume that an idea should be accepted as true just because it comes from the Bible. But psychological acceptance seldom comes merely by quoting Scripture; it must also be won by reasoning, demonstrations, and examples» (p. 82). [Find direct quotation in English.] He therefore suggests several avenues for testing the veracity of what the text claims. Some of these are used by the biblical writers themselves.
- Cite other biblical texts that support the claim.
- Develop a logical argument.
- Demonstrate by experience.
- Draw on various fields of science.
- Support with a single sentence.
Apply. I personally believe that the way to carry out this application can occur in many different ways. It does not always have to be something that can be «made» as if it were a recipe for baking a cake. In fact, in my opinion, certain contemporary approaches to preaching err on the side of turning everything into lists of activities to do, such as, «5 ways to improve your marriage». Sometimes, the point affirmed by the passage will lead us to recommend visible action on the part of our hearers. But we must always be wary of suggesting, by our way of «applying», that the Christian life is carried out by force of human will and activity. There are times when the most «practical» application is that in which a person really understands a truth for the first time. There are other times when the action is a change of attitude.
Robinson highlights the following considerations to take into account when establishing a correct application.
- Understand the original context of the passage and distinguish what is similar and different between the first readers and our audience.
- Our applications must arise from what we understand to have been the author’s theological intent. To do this we need not only to look at what the text itself says, but also, as far as possible, to look at the concerns that led the author to write what we find in the text.
Once this analysis has been completed, your document should have two elements for each important point.
- A clear expression of the point to be interpreted.
- A reflection on the kind of explanation, verification, or application that this point requires.
To Keep in Mind
At this point in time, it is not necessary to have reworked every detail of these 3 development questions. It is sufficient to have an idea of what kind of treatment each point may require. There will be time later to elaborate further. However, what you have achieved by thinking through each important point in this way is to clarify well what the affirmations of the text «ask of you» when interpreting and applying. Specifying this will give the preacher or teacher greater confidence in telling his audience, «Indeed, I am telling you what the Bible tells you.»
We must keep in mind that more than one developmental question may applied to a particular point. That is, it is quite possible that a point may need to be explained, and also verified after clarification. Simultaneously, of course, it may be a point that also merits application.