In our last episode, we talked about the cultural and historical differences that exist between our modern context and the context out of which the Bible was written. Now we turn to the next step in our interpretive journey – crossing the principlizing bridge.

1. Step 3: Crossing the Principlizing Bridge.
a. Key Question: What is the theological principle in this text?
i. In this step you are looking for the theological principle or principles that are reflected in the meaning of the text you identified in Step 1.
1. The principle should be reflected in the text.
2. The principle should be timeless and not tied to a specific situation.
3. The principle should not be culturally bound.
4. The principle should correspond to the teaching of the rest of Scripture.
5. The principle should be relevant to both the Biblical and the contemporary audience.