Understanding the Bible - Vigorous Effort that depends on the Spirit of God

Grant R. Osbourne, in 'The Hermeneutical Spiral' gives a great overview of the relationship between our effort in study/preaching with our dependence upon the Spirit. Though primarily speaking to pastors my guess is that these principles are true for everyone who reads the Bible and seeks to share the Gospel.



First he tells us of our dependence:

"The sermon must be forged in a spirit of dependence and devotion, that the strength may be of the Spirit rather than of the flesh. The effects of the gospel are entirely the result of the Spirit rather than of our skill."


Next he tells us that, although the Spirit aids us we are responsible to study hard

"While the Spirit enables the reader to gain insight into the Word, he does not provide that information for the reader. We still must utilize our rational capacity to draw inferences from the data..."


"The Spirit makes it possible for the reader to use every faculty to discern the Word and apply it"


He continues reminding us of the task and reminds us of influences that may shape our understanding:

"On difficult passages we must use every tool we can muster, but we still will often read a text the way our experience and theological proclivities dictate."


And he reminds us of the great hope we have when we share the Gospel:

"... the triune Godhead is incorporated within our ministry of the Word and empowers us as we share its message."



[The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant R. Osborne page 453-454]