To properly apply we must interpret properly. Once we have gone through the interpretive process and have arrived at understanding the message of the author, then we can begin the process of application.

Danny McCain asks an insightful question to help us separate interpretation from application:

“How do we interpret the statement Paul made to Timothy, ‘be not drunk with wine?’” That is a common question that I occasionally ask my students. Most of the time, the student will reply, “That means that we should not drink wine or beer or burukutu and get drunk.” When I get that answer, I frequently say, “No, that is not the correct answer.” That usually creates something of a surprised atmosphere in the class so I continue, “What you have given me is the application of the passage. You have not yet given me the interpretation.” The correct interpretation is the meaning that the writer had in his mind when he wrote it. Whenever I ask my students interpretive questions from the Bible, I am sure that over ninety-five percent of the time, they go directly to the application before establishing the correct interpretation. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is because interpretation is usually easier and less controversial than application. Interpretation was for “them” and does not affect our lives. Application is for “us” and should have a direct impact on our lives.

1. Different Uses of the Bible

People use use the Bible in different ways. Some people use the Bible as a textbook. Others use the Bible as a document for worship, using it in a liturgical sense. Yet some use it to develop theology. A few use it for preaching. Probably most use it for devotions.

2. Principalization

The process of application has historically had two main avenues. One could either find application by principalization or by allegorization. Allegorization leaves the door open to inserting outside meaning into the process. Principalization as a method treats the original audience, the original author, and the scriptures with respect as to their meaning.

Principalization is the method where principles are derived from God’s word and then applied to our modern lives. The principle itself is advice or a command, and the application is putting that principle into practice in our lives.

Principles presented in the scriptures often had historical and cultural expressions that were unique to the original audience. In order to properly apply principles from Scripture, it is necessary to determine if the principles are applicable, and what the specific application is for our culture.

3. The Process of Principalization

“Principalizing is an attempt to discover in a narrative the spiritual, moral, or theological principles that have relevance for the contemporary believer” (Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics. Baker Book House. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1988. Pg. 212).

A. Methodology for Developing Principles from the Text

1. Approach the text with a clear interpretation

   1. Use accurate hermeneutics.

   2. Determine the author’s intended meaning to the original audience in light of the purpose of the book.

2. Looking at the original application intended by the passage, determine what principles are being used

   1. The principles may form the basis of a command.

   2. The principle(s) may be taught in the narrative.

3. Determine the nature of the principle

Determine if the principle either:

• Reflects God’s unchanging nature.

• Reflects a changing culture.

4. Determine the ‘Universal Principle’

   1. If the principle is timeless, and transferable across cultures

   2. If the principle is culturally laden, determine if any aspects or greater principles are transferable. Generally, if you ‘zoom out the lense’ to see how God is working, universal principles become more apparent.

5. Look for what is the normal method God interacts with believers today

Because God has worked a certain way with specific people in the past does not mean that He will work the same way with other people. In the past, God worked certain ways with mankind that might now be different.

6. Seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit
   
   

For more information:

• Zuck, Roy. Basic Biblical Interpretation, “Guidelines for Relevance and Response Application,” 282ff.

• Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics. “Guidelines for Principalizing,” Pg. 220.

• Hendricks, Howard, Living By The Book, “Nine Questions to Ask,” 304ff.

• Hendricks, Howard, Living By The Book, “The Principle of the Thing,” 316ff.

B. Principles to Follow When Using the Principalization Method

In his book Protestant Biblical Interpretation, Bernard Ramm lists some points to remember when we are developing principles from the text:

1. Proper hermeneutics must govern every lesson and application which arises from a devotional study of the Bible.

2. Recognize that the Bible gives ‘principles for living’ more than specific directions.

3. Look for the Bible’s emphasis on the ‘inner man’ rather than external religious practices.

4. Sometimes we should be guided by the Spirit of the text when applying its injunctions.

5. Recognize that commands addressing cultural issues must be ‘translated into our culture.’

Condensed from:

• Ramm, Bernard. Protestant Biblical Interpretation, “Devotional and Practical Use of the Bible,” 185ff.

C. Using Examples in Scripture

Bernard Ramm lists some principles to properly apply examples that we find in Scripture:

1. Distinguish between what the Bible records and those things that it approves.

2. Those things the Bible directly approves or condemns may be applied directly.

3. Commands given to individuals concerning specific things related only to them are not God’s will for us today.

4. When drawing principles from the lives of individuals in Scripture, look for the outstanding spiritual principle.

5. When we go to apply examples from Scriptures we do not need the exact same situation since we are applying principles.

Condensed from:

• Ramm, Bernard. Protestant Biblical Interpretation, “Guidance from Examples,” 190ff.
  
  

4. Categories of Cultural Principles and Expressions

When looking for the principles presented in the text, it is important to look at the culture and context that the commands, promises, and examples are presented in. When looking at cultural expressions, there are basically three options for cultural interpretation.

1. Principle and Expression are kept

   1. Baptism by immersion - Matt. 28:19.

2. Principle is kept, but the expression changes

   1. Holy kiss expressed in handshaking - Rom 16:16,1 Thes. 5:26.

3. Principle and expression are both changed

   1. Levirate marriage - Deut. 25:5-6.

5. Practicing Cultural Interpretation

How do you approach the Culture presented in the Bible?

1. Read through the passage and list possible cultural connections, signs, manners.

2. Consult Bible encyclopedias, Bible dictionaries, or Bible customs books to learn about the customs and culture presented in your passage.

3. Learn all you can about the author and the recipients.

4. Determine the most probable place and date of authorship of the book.

5. Look for clues that might lend to a purpose of authorship of the book.

6. Try to figure out the author and audience’s world view.

7. Start asking the right kind of questions.

8. Apply proper guidelines to determine the application of the passage for today.

For more information:

• Hendricks, Howard, Living By The Book, “Now and then,” 309ff.

• Zuck, Roy. Basic Biblical Interpretation, “Determine what is Normative for Today,” 284ff.

• Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics. “Translating Biblical Commands from One Culture to Another,” Pg. 221.

• Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard, Introduction of Biblical Interpretation, “Identify the Cross Cultural Principles,” 421ff

Danny McCain notes some important differences between interpretation and application:

General Observations about Interpretation and Application 

Although these often get confused, there is a significant difference between interpretation and application. 

• Interpretation focuses on the past. Application focuses on the present. 

• Interpretation focuses on what a passage says. Application focuses on what a passage means. 

• Interpretation deals with theory. Application deals with practice. 

• Interpretation deals primarily with the mind. Application deals primarily with the will. 

• Interpretation is relatively simple. Application is often very difficult. 

• Interpretation is often agreed upon quickly. People of diverse backgrounds will often agree upon what a passage says. However, because application actually affects the lives of people, it becomes more controversial. 

• Interpretation focusing on the original meaning. Application focuses on how the original meaning fits into our particular culture. 

• Interpretation focuses on what the original writer was thinking and how the original reader understood the communication. Application focuses on how that communication should be viewed and responded to by the contemporary believer. 

• Interpretation is the job of the theologian. Application is the job of the preacher. 

• Interpretation is always first. Application is always second. 

• Interpretation is necessary. Application is just as necessary.

1. God’s Word is part of God’s plan for us

2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2. God’s Word requires application and obedience

James 1:22-25 NIV - “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

After we have determined principles, and also perhaps proper cultural equivalents, we need to make specific ‘action-response’ applications. It is necessary to honor the word of God by applying the principles that reflect God’s character to our lives. We are all works in progress. It is necessary to continually go to God’s Word to look for who God is, and how He is working with us.

Sometimes principles that we are applying could be seen as ‘convictions.’ We are convicted that we should or should not do something.

In life, we can get our convictions from many places. Convictions from God’s word are developed in a personal relationship to God and His word. When our convictions are from God's word, we will be in his will. Sharing your particular application with someone else makes them bear your conviction. When dealing with the people of God, it is better to point them to God’s word and let the Spirit convict them.

Editorial Comment: Often in our modern Christian culture, principles and application can be seen as negative. While principles can be prohibitive, they can also be pro-active. Focusing on positive principles will help to give us direction in life. Focusing on negative principles will help protect us from evil. A fine balance can help to lead to a peace-filled life that is not too introspective, and not too outwardly busy and hollow. A balance of positive and prohibitive principles needs to be struck.

The Spirit of God can convict us, and lead us, and will work in accordance with God's Word.

Take for instance the example of the rich young ruler. Does it only apply to rich young rulers? Does the passage not apply to poor people? No, the principle is God first, other things second.

We need to remember the role of the Spirit in our lives and application of God’s Word.

Phil. 1:9-11 NIV - “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Our convictions should be tempered with the fruit of the spirit.

Gal 5:13-26 NIV - “…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

Applications need to be in line with the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit. If we are not seeking to stay in step with the God of the Scriptures, we will steer into error.

Contemporary Applications

Sometimes it can be a challenge for us to find principles to properly apply in modern situations. For example, how much screen time should I (or my children) have today? What does the Bible say about that? 

Looking at principles we find in the scripture, we can start to build appropriate foundations to address such questions. In addressing the question, we can look for principles that relate to our question. Sometimes, this can be more of an art to properly assess and apply principles. Look at Matthew 6:19-24, while the context there we see Jesus speaking about money, we may see some principles that can apply beyond money, and that may apply to our question of screen time. What is the purpose of your screen time? Is our time serving God, or...? Hopefully you can think of some additional passages that have principles that apply to the question of screen time.

1. Rationalistic

Human reason becomes dominant. The elevation of human standards. Removal of miracles. Allowance for the finiteness of man.

2. Mythological

Spotlight on spiritual application. The historical aspect of the Bible is treated as a myth. Spiritual lessons derives validity from historical framework.

3. Purely Historical

No application. There is no room allowed for spiritual lessons. Fails to take into account that history is only a means to an end.

4. Extreme Literal/Letterism

Insufficient allowance for figures of speech. To interpret a passage figuratively is tantamount to making it unhistorical.

5. Figurative/Allegorical

Figures of speech are imagined where the author never intended them to be. Taking things as symbols that were not meant to be used symbolically.

6. Dogmatic

Presuppositions and preconceived doctrines color the rendering of the author’s original intent. Force a passage to fit preconceived notions.

7. Fragmentary

Not using context. Treats the Bible as if it were a collection of statements unrelated to each other.

8. Cross Reference

To interpret a passage in light of a similar passage, instead of letting each passage present itself. No two passages are exactly alike, but the cross reference method assumes that they may be. This is different from Scripture interprets Scripture. When using the principle of Cross Reference, you should also use the principle of Passage Priority and Grammatical Historical.

9. Systematized Pigeonholing

Preconceived notion that every Scriptural teaching must fit into a preconceived system. Unfortunately, the system is made by man instead of granted by God. Applying a system before exegesis is completed.

For more information:

• Carson, D.A. Exegetical Fallacies. Grand Rapids, Mich. Baker Books, 1996.

• Mayhue, Richard. "Part 2: Avoiding Crooked Cuts" in How to Study the Bible. Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain. Christian Focus, 2017.

Look for principles in one of the following passages, determine cultural factors, and seek to determine applicable principles from the passage:

• Acts 11:27-30

• John 15:5-8

• Judges 21

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