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Lesson 1c Three Worlds of The Text 4

The document discusses the "Three Worlds of the Text" approach to interpreting biblical texts. This approach recognizes that scripture must be understood in its original context as well as how it is understood and applied today. The three worlds are: 1) The world behind the text, which examines the historical and cultural context when the text was written. 2) The world of the text, which analyzes the text itself including genre, structure, characters and events. 3) The world in front of the text, which considers how the text can be understood and applied in contemporary times. Taking all three perspectives simultaneously through literary and historical analysis is essential for proper interpretation of sacred texts.

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272 views

Lesson 1c Three Worlds of The Text 4

The document discusses the "Three Worlds of the Text" approach to interpreting biblical texts. This approach recognizes that scripture must be understood in its original context as well as how it is understood and applied today. The three worlds are: 1) The world behind the text, which examines the historical and cultural context when the text was written. 2) The world of the text, which analyzes the text itself including genre, structure, characters and events. 3) The world in front of the text, which considers how the text can be understood and applied in contemporary times. Taking all three perspectives simultaneously through literary and historical analysis is essential for proper interpretation of sacred texts.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Lesson Title: Three Worlds of the Text

Lesson Aims:
● Be able to understand the three components to ‘the three worlds of text’ approach
in interpreting the word of God.

Starter Questions:
What do all the following books have in common?

How many copies of the bible have been sold worldwide?

Task 1: What do you think this means?


“In order to discover the sacred author’s intention, the reader must take into account
the conditions of their time and culture, the literary genre in use at the time and the
modes of feeling, speaking and narrating.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.100)

What is meant by the Three Worlds of the text?


The ‘Three Worlds of the Text’ is an approach to studying and understanding scripture
that recognises scripture as more than simply words on a page.

In order to interpret the words on the page we need to know something about where the
scripture text has come from, what the words meant in their original context and how the
text is used and interpreted in today’s world.

Task 2: What are the three approaches within this approach?


Name of approach What does this mean?

1 provides context about culture and history


(Historical-Cultural criticism)

2 provides context about the genre of the


writing (Narrative criticism)

3 provides context about interpretation over


time and use of the text within religious
communities.

Task 3: REd Three Worlds of the Text


As you watch the video, answer the following questions
Question Answer

What is Hermeneutics? is the theory and methodology of interpretation of texts


(her-min-yet-tics) e.g. biblical texts.
What is the world behind the text?

What is the world of the text?

What is the world in front of the


text?

What can affect our interpretation


of sacred text?

Why is it essential we use all


approaches simultaneously?

Task 4: Why are these approaches important?


1

4
Three Worlds of the Text - Summary

The World behind the Text

Cultural Context - What was happening when the text was written

Origin What can we learn about the cultural world of the text (customs, beliefs and
values)

Religious World What information do we need to under the prevailing religious world of the
text ( rituals, laws and traditions)

Historical World Around what time is the text set? What was happening in the community at
that time?

Geographical World Where in the world is the text set?

Author and Audience -


● Who might have written, edited and/or translated the text?
● Who was the text created for? What were the needs and background of the intended
audience?

Roles and Relationships -


● What can we learn about roles and relationships at the time of the text (e.g. men, women,
priests, rich, poor and outcasts)?
● How can we understand the relationship between the author and audience (subject matter,
values and perspectives of the author)?

The World of the Text

Text Type What is the purpose of the text (informative, imaginative or persuasive? Ask
yourself, “What type of text is this (Gospel, narrative, parable, miracle story,
myth etc)

Text Structure and ● How is the text organised?


features ● What text features are in the text (imagery, simile, repetition or
symbols)?
● What Biblical tools can we use to find this out?
● What key words or phrases, or interesting, new or difficulty ideas need
further exploration?

Characters ● Who are the characters in the text?


● Which character and ideas are strong in the text?
● How are the characters developed and represented?

Settings and events ● Where does the story take place?


● What happens in the text?
● What is the most memorable or central scene in text and why is it
central?
● What evidence can we find in the text of the historical, social, cultural,
political and religious life at the time?

Examining the text ● Does this text take a particular point of view?
● Who speaks and who is silenced?
● How can biblical tools be used to examine the text (Biblical
commentaries or Gospel parallels?
Interpreting the text ● How have the main characters in the text used the activities and
interactions among people at this time ( e.g. ways of talking, acting,
gesture or responding to questions)
● How does the author use key characters to challenge existing social
codes, beliefs and practices (e.g. working on the Sabbath) .

The World in front of text

Meaning What factors make it possible for people today to understand the text?

Message What are some messages from or about God that contemporary believers
can take from this text in their time and place?

Relevance For whom might this text be relevant today (e.g. refugees, school
communities, the marginalised)?

Challenge Is there anything in this text that might be open to challenge or questioning
by a contemporary reader?

Recontextualisation Means how can we take a text that was written nearly 2000 years ago and
make it relevant today!
● This is a huge part of the 3 World of the Text – What’s the point of all
of this if we can’t make it make sense to us today?
● When Jesus and the scriptures talk about the people who were
outcasts (the lepers, the Samaritans and the unclean) how can we
understand unless we think of people in our own society who may be
treated that way.
● When the scripture talks about the Jewish laws how can we
understand unless we are able to apply those rules to the world we
live in today?

Hermeneutics How might gender, culture or life experience (including experiences with
religion or religious groups) affect the way a contemporary reader might
respond to the text?

Going Further How might a contemporary reader gain a deeper appreciation of this text?

Recap Questions:

Question Answer

How many copies of the Bible have


been sold worldwide?

What are the THREE worlds of the


text?

What is Hermeneutics?

When we refer to what was happening


at the time the scripture was written,
what do we call this?

What is meant by the term


recontextualisation?
What is ONE factor that could affect
the way we interpret scripture?

Total Marks:

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