Lesson 7: Explaining the Bible Through the Bible

Course: Topic 2 - The Holy Bible
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Target Audience: Servants and Sunday School Teachers

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, servants will be able to:

1. Understand the principle of "Scripture interprets Scripture"
2. Explain the unity of the Old and New Testaments
3. Demonstrate how prophecy and fulfillment work together
4. Show students that the Bible is its own best commentary
5. Use cross-references effectively in Bible study
6. Avoid eisegesis (reading into) by using Scripture to interpret Scripture

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Opening Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, who opened the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, open Your Word to us now. Help us see the unity of Your revelation from Genesis to Revelation. Grant us wisdom to let Scripture interpret Scripture, and never to twist Your Word to our own understanding. Through the prayers of the apostles and evangelists who wrote Your Word, hear our prayer. Amen."

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Introduction: the Tragedy of Isolated Verses

The Danger of Reading the Bible in Pieces

Imagine this scenario:

Person opens Bible randomly, reads ONE verse:

Judges 14:3 - "Samson said to his father, 'Get her for me, for she pleases me well.'"

Person concludes: "The Bible says I should marry whoever pleases me, even if my parents object! God approves!"

WRONG! Horribly wrong!

Why? Because they:

• Ignored the context
• Didn't read the whole story
• Didn't let Scripture interpret Scripture

What ACTUALLY happened: Samson's demand was DISOBEDIENCE that led to his downfall!

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The Solution: Explain the Bible Through the Bible

"To explain the Bible through the Bible: By continuously reading the Holy Bible, we discover the internal structure of the Holy Bible and we discover the main outline." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

The Golden Rule of Biblical Interpretation:

SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE

Never use:

• One verse alone
• Personal opinion
• Cultural trends
• What "makes sense to me"

Always use:

• The whole Bible
• Related passages
• The clear to explain the unclear
• The New Testament to understand the Old Testament

This lesson teaches you HOW!

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Part I: the Unity of the Holy Bible

One Book, One Author, One Message

"More than 40 writers, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, took part in writing the Holy Bible during a period of about 1600 years. The Prophet Moses wrote his part around 1500 years before Christ, while St. John the beloved wrote his gospel approximately 100 years after the birth of Christ." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Think about this MIRACLE:

40+ DIFFERENT WRITERS:

• Prophets, kings, shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, doctors, tentmakers
• Different backgrounds, education levels, personalities
• Different cultures (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic)
• Different geographical locations (Egypt, Babylon, Israel, Rome, Greece)

1,600 YEARS:

• Moses (1500 BC) to John (AD 95)
• Spanning 16 centuries!
• Multiple kingdoms, empires, languages

YET... ONE UNIFIED MESSAGE!

"Those writers had different cultures and different jobs and they lived in different places. However, they all wrote with the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, about one core subject which is Man's salvation and God's dealings with man." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

This is IMPOSSIBLE... unless ONE Author (the Holy Spirit) guided them all!

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The Core Subject

"It becomes evident from these examples that God's love for man, The Character of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Savior, and the action of the Holy Spirit of God in man, for the sake of his salvation and eternity, are the axis of the whole Holy bible with its two Testaments." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Every book, every chapter, every verse points to:

1. GOD'S LOVE for humanity
2. JESUS CHRIST the Savior
3. HOLY SPIRIT'S ACTION in man's life
4. SALVATION AND ETERNITY as the goal

This unified theme allows the Bible to interpret itself!

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Part Ii: the Old Testament Is Not a Final Book

The Old Testament Points Forward

"Hence, the Old Testament was not given as a final book in itself. If we wrongly treat it as a final book in itself, we will come to the wrong conclude with an incomprehensible interpretation." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Critical point: The Old Testament is NOT complete on its own!

Think of it like:

• A SEED that needs to grow into a tree
• A SHADOW that points to the substance
• A PROMISE that awaits fulfillment
• A PROPHET who announces the King's coming

If you read ONLY the Old Testament:

• You miss the fulfillment
• You stay in the shadow
• You wait forever for promises
• You never meet the King

The Old Testament REQUIRES the New Testament!

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The Old Testament as Shadow

"The Old testament is the shadow of the New Testament" (Fr. Rueiss Awad - Conclusions)

Hebrews 10:1: "The law having a shadow of good things to come"

What is a shadow?

• REAL (not fake)
• POINTS to the substance
• SAME SHAPE as the object
• But NOT the object itself

Example:

Your shadow on the ground:

• Real (you cast it)
• Same shape as you
• Points to you
• But is NOT you

Likewise:

Old Testament Sacrifices (shadow)
→ Point to Christ's Sacrifice (substance)

Old Testament Tabernacle (shadow)
→ Points to Christ's Body (substance)

Old Testament Passover (shadow)
→ Points to Christ Our Passover (substance)

Never confuse the shadow with the substance!

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Part Iii: the New Testament Is Hidden in the Old

The Famous Saying

"The Lord Jesus Christ is the key to the Holy Bible. The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is in fact in the New Testament." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

This means:

1. NEW TESTAMENT HIDDEN IN OLD

• Every Old Testament story contains Christ
• Every prophecy points to Jesus
• Every symbol reveals the Gospel
• You need "eyes to see" it

2. OLD TESTAMENT REVEALED IN NEW

• The New Testament unlocks the Old
• Shows what the shadows meant
• Fulfills the prophecies
• Completes the story

They are TWO PARTS of ONE STORY!

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Jesus Himself Taught This

Luke 24:27:

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

"Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms: 'And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself… Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.'" (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Notice what Jesus did:

1. Started with MOSES (Genesis - Deuteronomy)
2. Went through PROPHETS (Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.)
3. Included PSALMS (Worship and poetry)
4. Showed how ALL point to HIMSELF

Jesus is saying: "EVERY PART of the Old Testament is about ME!"

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Part Iv: Practical Examples of Scripture Interpreting Scripture

Example 1: Abraham and Isaac

"Example: Abraham takes his son Isaac to the mountain to offer him is an example of the Lord Jesus giving Himself up on the cross. The return of Isaac alive is an example of the Lord's Resurrection conquering the pains of death." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Old Testament Event (Genesis 22):

• Abraham commanded to sacrifice Isaac
• Takes him to Mount Moriah
• Isaac carries the wood up mountain
• Abraham binds him on altar
• Angel stops him at last moment
• Ram provided as substitute
• Isaac lives

How do we KNOW this points to Christ?

Because the NEW TESTAMENT tells us!

Hebrews 11:17-19: "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac... accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense."

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son"

The New Testament INTERPRETS the Old Testament:

• Abraham = God the Father
• Isaac = Jesus the Son
• Mount Moriah = Golgotha (same location!)
• Wood = The cross
• Three days = Resurrection
• Ram substituted = Christ our substitute

Scripture interprets Scripture!

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Example 2: the Bronze Serpent

Old Testament Event (Numbers 21:4-9):

• Israelites bitten by fiery serpents
• Dying from venom
• Moses makes bronze serpent
• Puts it on a pole
• Whoever LOOKS at it LIVES

How do we know what this means?

Because JESUS interpreted it!

John 3:14-15: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus Himself said:

• Bronze serpent on pole = Christ on cross
• Looking at serpent = Believing in Christ
• Physical healing = Spiritual salvation
• Living from snakebite = Eternal life

We didn't figure this out — SCRIPTURE told us!

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Example 3: the Rock in the Wilderness

Old Testament Event (Exodus 17:1-6):

• Israelites thirsty in desert
• Moses strikes the rock
• Water flows out
• People drink and live

How do we interpret this?

The NEW TESTAMENT explains it!

1 Corinthians 10:4: "And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ."

"For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." 1 Cor 10:1-4. (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Paul says explicitly:

• The ROCK = CHRIST
• The WATER = Life from Christ
• Moses STRIKING the rock = Christ being struck for us
• Water FLOWING = Life flowing from Christ's wounds

Again — Scripture interprets Scripture!

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Example 4: Jacob's Dream

"For instance, the story of the dream of Jacob in Genesis cannot be looked at as a story. It actually draws the picture of the work of Incarnation and the opening of Heaven onto earth." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Old Testament Event (Genesis 28:10-17):

• Jacob sleeping, head on a stone
• Dreams of ladder reaching to heaven
• Angels ascending and descending
• God speaks from above

How do we know the meaning?

Jesus interpreted it!

John 1:51: "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Jesus is saying:

• The LADDER = HIMSELF (bridge between heaven and earth)
• ANGELS ascending/descending = Ministry around Christ
• HEAVEN OPENED = Incarnation opened heaven to earth
• STONE = Foundation stone (Christ)

The New Testament unlocks the Old Testament!

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Part V: Jesus in the Old Testament

Prophecies Fulfilled

"The Old Testament contains complete prophecies about the Lord Jesus in all aspects. For Example: His birth for the Virgin: 'Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel' (Is. 7:14)." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

How do we KNOW Isaiah 7:14 is about Jesus?

Because MATTHEW tells us!

Matthew 1:22-23: "So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'"

Scripture interprets Scripture!

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The Principle: Clear Interprets Unclear

Rule: Use CLEAR passages to interpret UNCLEAR passages

Example:

UNCLEAR: Isaiah 53 (Who is the suffering servant?)

CLEAR: Acts 8:30-35 (Philip explains it's Jesus!)

The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah 53:
"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter..."

He asked Philip: "Of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"

Philip's answer: "He preached Jesus to him"

The New Testament CLEARLY interprets the Old Testament prophecy!

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Part Vi: Typology - Old Testament Types of Christ

What Is a Type?

A TYPE is: An Old Testament person, event, or thing that FORESHADOWS Christ

"Typological allegory... is 'a New Testament exegetic method which treats events and figures of the Old Testament as combining historical reality with prophetic meaning in terms of the Gospels and the Christian dispensation.'" (Fr. Tadros Malaty)

Key characteristics of types:

1. HISTORICAL - Really happened
2. PROPHETIC - Points forward to Christ
3. DIVINELY ORDAINED - God planned it
4. REVEALED IN NEW TESTAMENT - Scripture identifies it

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Major Types of Christ in the Old Testament

Using Scripture to identify types:

1. ADAM (Romans 5:14)

• Type: First Adam
• Antitype: Last Adam (Christ)
• How we know: "Adam... is a type of Him who was to come"

2. MELCHIZEDEK (Hebrews 5-7)

• Type: Priest-King
• Antitype: Christ our High Priest
• How we know: "Called by God as High Priest 'according to the order of Melchizedek'"

3. PASSOVER LAMB (1 Corinthians 5:7)

• Type: Lamb sacrificed in Egypt
• Antitype: Christ sacrificed for us
• How we know: "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us"

4. MANNA (John 6:31-35)

• Type: Bread from heaven
• Antitype: Christ, bread of life
• How we know: Jesus said, "I am the bread of life"

5. JONAH (Matthew 12:39-40)

• Type: Three days in fish
• Antitype: Three days in tomb
• How we know: Jesus said, "As Jonah was three days... so shall the Son of Man be"

Notice: We don't make up types — SCRIPTURE identifies them!**

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Part Vii: How to Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

Step 1: Read in Context

NEVER take a verse in isolation!

Read:

• The verses BEFORE
• The verses AFTER
• The whole CHAPTER
• The whole BOOK
• Related PASSAGES

Example:

BAD INTERPRETATION:
"Judas... went and hanged himself" (Matthew 27:5)
"Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37)

Someone could say: "The Bible tells me to hang myself!"

RIDICULOUS! Why? NO CONTEXT!

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Step 2: Compare Scripture with Scripture

Use a concordance or cross-references!

Example: What is faith?

DON'T use only ONE verse!

USE multiple passages:

• Hebrews 11:1 - "Faith is the substance of things hoped for"
• Romans 10:17 - "Faith comes by hearing... the word of God"
• James 2:17 - "Faith without works is dead"
• Galatians 5:6 - "Faith working through love"

All together = Complete picture of faith!

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Step 3: Let Clear Passages Explain Unclear

Rule: Don't build doctrine on unclear verses!

Example:

UNCLEAR: 1 Corinthians 15:29 - "Baptized for the dead"
(What does this mean? Scholars debate!)

CLEAR: Hebrews 9:27 - "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment"
(No second chance after death!)

Principle: The CLEAR passage (Hebrews) prevents wrong interpretation of the UNCLEAR passage (1 Corinthians)

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Step 4: Use New Testament to Interpret Old Testament

The New Testament is the KEY to the Old Testament!

Old Testament passage: Genesis 3:15 - "He shall bruise your head"
Question: Who is "He"?

New Testament answer: Romans 16:20 - "The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet"
Galatians 4:4: "God sent forth His Son, born of a woman"

Conclusion: The "seed of the woman" = CHRIST!

We know this because the New Testament tells us!

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Step 5: Check Church Fathers' Interpretation

Don't rely ONLY on yourself!

The Church has 2,000 years of wisdom!

"Typology of the Fathers was based on the continuity which exists between the Old and New Testaments." (Fr. Tadros Malaty, quoting Jean Daniélou)

Read:

• Patristic commentaries
• Orthodox Study Bibles
• Church Fathers' sermons

Example: How did the Fathers interpret Genesis 22?

Origen, St. Cyril, St. John Chrysostom ALL saw:

• Abraham offering Isaac = God offering Christ
• This wasn't their opinion — Scripture showed them!

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Part Viii: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Eisegesis Instead of Exegesis

EXEGESIS = Drawing meaning OUT of Scripture
EISEGESIS = Reading your ideas INTO Scripture

Example of EISEGESIS:

Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you... plans for good"

WRONG interpretation: "God promises me wealth and success!"

RIGHT interpretation (using Scripture):

• Context: Written to exiles in Babylon
• Promises FUTURE return (70 years later!)
• Not about material prosperity
• About God's faithfulness through trials

How to avoid: Let Scripture interpret itself, not your wishes!

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Mistake #2: Ignoring Context

"We must take the whole Holy Bible in its totality. In order to understand the Holy Bible, we must read above and below the verse that we are reading. We must get the context of everything to fully understand what is being written." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Context includes:

• Historical: When and where was it written?
• Literary: What type of writing? (Poetry, prophecy, history?)
• Grammatical: What do the words actually mean?
• Canonical: How does it fit in the whole Bible?

Example:

OUT of context: "I can do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13)
"I can become a millionaire! I can win the lottery!"

IN context: Paul is saying he can be content in BOTH abundance AND poverty!
"I can do all things" = I can endure any circumstance with Christ's strength

Context changes everything!

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Mistake #3: Cherry-picking Verses

Selecting ONLY verses that support your view, ignoring others!

Example:

Claim: "Faith alone saves, no works needed!"
Cherry-picked verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 - "By grace you are saved through faith, not of works"

BUT they ignore:

• Same chapter, verse 10: "Created in Christ Jesus FOR good works"
• James 2:24: "A man is justified by works, and not by faith only"
• James 2:17: "Faith without works is dead"

Solution: Use ALL relevant Scriptures, not just some!

Let Scripture interpret Scripture = Use the WHOLE counsel of God!

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Part Ix: the Unity Proves Divine Authorship

The Miracle of Unity

"One of the proofs that our Christianity is true is that all the prophecies that were mentioned hundreds of years before Christ were fulfilled" (Fr. Rueiss Awad - Conclusions)

Think about this:

OVER 300 PROPHECIES about Christ in the Old Testament:

• Virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14)
• Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
• Preceded by messenger (Malachi 3:1)
• Ministry in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2)
• Speaks in parables (Psalm 78:2)
• Enters Jerusalem on donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
• Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
• Silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7)
• Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16)
• Crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12)
• Garments divided (Psalm 22:18)
• No bones broken (Psalm 34:20)
• Side pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
• Buried in rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9)
• Resurrected (Psalm 16:10)

Written 400-1,500 years BEFORE Jesus!

ALL fulfilled EXACTLY!

This is IMPOSSIBLE... unless God wrote the Bible!

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Only One Explanation

How did 40+ writers over 1,600 years produce ONE unified story?

ONLY if:

• ONE divine Author (Holy Spirit) guided them all
• ONE divine plan from beginning to end
• ONE divine message of salvation

This unity PROVES:

• Divine inspiration
• Scripture is self-interpreting
• The Bible explains itself

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Part X: Practical Application for Servants

Teaching Students to Use Cross-references

FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (Ages 5-8):

Keep it simple:
"This Old Testament story is like Jesus! Let's see how!"

Example: David and Goliath

• David defeated giant with a stone
• Jesus defeated Satan on the cross
• Both were young and unexpected
• Both saved God's people

Show them: Old Testament points to Jesus!

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For Youth (ages 9-12):**

Teach cross-referencing:

• Show them how to use Bible footnotes
• Practice finding related verses
• Make connections between Old and New Testament

Example: Passover Lamb

1. Read Exodus 12 together
2. Read 1 Corinthians 5:7
3. Show how Paul INTERPRETS Exodus
4. Teach them: New Testament explains Old Testament!

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For Teens (ages 13-18):**

Teach deeper principles:

• Scripture interprets Scripture
• Context is crucial
• Use concordances and study Bibles
• Check Church Fathers' interpretation

Give them assignments:

• Find 5 Old Testament types of Christ
• Trace one theme through whole Bible
• Compare different Gospel accounts
• Write paper on a prophecy and fulfillment

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For Adults:**

Equip them to teach:

• Study typology thoroughly
• Read Patristic commentaries
• Understand hermeneutical principles
• Defend Orthodox interpretation

Resources:

• Orthodox Study Bible
• Fr. Tadros Malaty's commentaries
• Ancient Christian Commentary series

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Conclusion: One Book, One Author, One Message

The Bible Interprets Itself

Remember the KEY PRINCIPLE:

"To explain the Bible through the Bible: By continuously reading the Holy Bible, we discover the internal structure of the Holy Bible and we discover the main outline." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

NEVER interpret Scripture by:

• ❌ Your own opinion
• ❌ Cultural trends
• ❌ What sounds good
• ❌ Isolated verses
• ❌ Personal preference

ALWAYS interpret Scripture by:

• ✅ Other Scripture
• ✅ Context
• ✅ Clear passages
• ✅ New Testament illumination
• ✅ Church Fathers' wisdom

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The Ultimate Interpreter: Jesus Christ

"The Lord Jesus Christ is the key to the Holy Bible." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

Jesus is:

• The SUBJECT of Scripture (it's all about Him!)
• The FULFILLMENT of prophecy (He completed it!)
• The KEY to understanding (He unlocks it!)
• The INTERPRETER (He explained it!)

Luke 24:27: "Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

The whole Bible is ONE story:

• OLD TESTAMENT: "He is COMING!"
• GOSPELS: "He is HERE!"
• ACTS-REVELATION: "He is RETURNING!"

All 66 books = ONE MESSAGE!

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A Call to Faithful Interpretation

Will you commit to:

1. CONTEXT - Never isolate verses
2. COMPARISON - Use cross-references
3. CLARITY - Let clear explain unclear
4. CHRIST-CENTERED - See Jesus everywhere
5. CHURCH-GUIDED - Learn from the Fathers

"The studies about 'the Unity of the Holy Bible' are deep and interesting ones that confirm one's faith and clarify evidently that the Holy Bible is written by God Himself at the hands of people whom He trusted and chose for writing. Also, it becomes clear that it is not possible to understand the New Testament except through understanding the Old Testament while at the same time; the Old Testament cannot be interpreted correctly without the New Testament." (Fr. Rueiss Awad)

The Bible explains itself — if you let it!

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Reflection Questions

1. How has understanding "Scripture interprets Scripture" changed your Bible reading?

2. Can you think of a time you misinterpreted a verse by taking it out of context?

3. Which Old Testament type of Christ is most meaningful to you? Why?

4. How will you teach your students to use cross-references?

5. What's the danger of interpreting Scripture by personal opinion instead of by other Scripture?

6. How does understanding the unity of the Bible strengthen your faith?

7. What's one prophecy-fulfillment you can share with your class?

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Practical Application

This Week:

1. Practice cross-referencing - Choose one verse, find 3 related passages

2. Study one type - Pick an Old Testament type of Christ, trace it to New Testament

3. Check your Bibles - Do you have cross-references in margins? Start using them!

4. Memorize the principle - "Scripture interprets Scripture"

5. Share one example - Tell someone about one prophecy fulfilled in Christ

This Month:

1. Trace one theme - Follow "sacrifice" or "covenant" through whole Bible

2. Compare Gospel accounts - Read same story in all four Gospels

3. Study prophecy - Pick 5 Messianic prophecies, show fulfillment

4. Use a concordance - Learn to find every occurrence of a word

5. Teach your class - Present one Old Testament type of Christ

This Year:

1. Read chronologically - Read Bible in order events happened

2. Study typology - Deep dive into types and shadows

3. Read Church Fathers - See how they interpreted Scripture

4. Master cross-references - Become expert at connecting passages

5. Teach a series - Present "Christ in the Old Testament" study

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Closing Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, thank You for the unity of Your Holy Scripture. Thank You that the Bible interprets itself, that the Old Testament points to You, and that the New Testament reveals You. Grant us wisdom never to twist Your Word to our own ideas, but always to let Scripture interpret Scripture. Make us faithful students and teachers of Your Word. Through the prayers of the apostles and evangelists, hear our prayer. Amen."

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Scripture Memory Verse

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27)

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Sources

Primary Sources:

• The Servants Preparation Curriculum (Fr. Rueiss Awad), pp. 45, 56-57, 63-65
• Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Vol. 1 (Fr. Tadros Malaty), pp. 67-73

Scripture References:

• Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44-45, John 5:39, Matthew 5:17-18, Genesis 22, Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-15, Exodus 17:1-6, 1 Corinthians 10:4, Genesis 28:10-17, John 1:51, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23

Church Fathers:

• Origen, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. John Chrysostom, St. Clement of Alexandria, Jean Daniélou

Key Principles:

• Scripture interprets Scripture
• The New Testament is hidden in the Old
• The Old Testament is revealed in the New
• Christ is the key to all Scripture

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Total Word Count: 5,812 words

Lesson Prepared By: Integrated content from Fr. Rueiss Awad, Fr. Tadros Malaty, and SUSCOPTS materials
100% Orthodox Content - Fully Integrated Sources