Finding meaning in the Bible

I'm reading Leonard Sweet's book "Giving Blood, a fresh paradigm for preaching". This particular passage stood out to me;

"Jewish traditions had a way of finding meaning on four levels. The first was the peshat, the literal and simple understanding of Scripture as found in the Mishnah (the oral interpretations of the Torah and Writings). The second was the remez, the more complex typological meaning, represented by the studies of well known rabbis in the Talmud or gemara. The third was the derash, the metaphoric or parabolic meaning and in-dephth exegesis associated with the studies of the midrash. The sod was the fourth and the deepest level of meaning. The most spiritual in nature, it contained the very secrets of Truth itself, requiring intuitive and creative interpretation"


Sweet goes on to define these in the ideas of the following perspectives of Scripture; Deduction, Induction, Abduction, and Transduction.

1. Deduction: Shows a simple conclusion according to a law or principle.

2. Induction: Inductive conclusions are drawn from gathered evidence or propositions. Induction determines value.

3. Abduction: Forms explanatory hypothesis or suggestions based on intuition that must be subsequently proven by action or experience.

4. Transductive: The interactive unfolding of internal revealed meaning, revealed truth.

I love reading, thinking and discussing the communication of the Bible. The Bible is worth our time, and how we communicate the Scripture is worth our time as well. Leonard Sweet's book is helpful in working through the wonderful and sometimes complex, multi-layered text, so that they can be understood and applied in our complicated times.