Lesson 9: The Contemporary Horizon

1. Why Is the Contemporary Horizon Important?
2. It is the culmination of theology.
3. What Is the Contemporary Horizon?
4. Definition: The horizon that applies the exegesis of Scripture, as shaped by biblical, systematic, and historical theology, to the life of the church
5. Goal: To glorify God by responding rightly to his Word
6. Using Rich Resources to Discover and Discuss the Contemporary Horizon
7. Build a bridge: move from truth to today, or vice versa, using the first four horizons
8. Cross the bridge
9. The relevance lane: applying the teaching of the Bible to my world
10. Seven types of instruction
11. Rules
12. Ideals
13. Doctrines
14. Redemptive acts in narratives
15. Exemplary acts in narratives
16. Biblical images
17. Songs and prayers
18. Three resources
19. Commentaries
20. Study Bibles
21. Resources
22. The question lane: bringing a question from my world to the teaching of the Bible
23. Resources: books on the topic you have questions about
24. Use caution when crossing
25. Examine the exegetical foundations.
26. Engage with the Covenantal and Canonical Horizons.
27. Evaluate the application’s authority.

The Five Horizons Cheat Sheetpdf

This cheat sheet summarizes each horizon: its goal, and the steps required to study it (e.g. the microscope and telescope questions).

Going Further

Applying Scripture

Dan Doriani; a greatly-condensed presentation of the model in his book, Putting the Truth to Work

Living Theologically: Toward a Theology of Christian Practice

R. Paul Stevens; a detailed examination of the relationship between theology and everyday life