Arbor Foundations A SOLID BASE TO BUILD UPON Lesson 3 The Bible II: Hermeneutics
A Definition: Hermeneutics The word hermeneutics (from the Greek word hermēnēuo, to interpret ) is a technical term for the study of correct methods of interpretation (especially interpretation of Scripture). Biblical hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting the Bible which involves exegesis, the actual practice of interpreting Scripture.
Hermeneutics: Everyone Does It There are two kinds of practitioners of hermeneutics: those who admit it and those who don t. For the fact of the matter is that every time we find something in the Bible (whether it is there or not!), we have interpreted the Bible. There are good interpretations and there are bad interpretations; there are faithful interpretations and there are unfaithful interpretations. But there is no escape from interpretation. (J.I. Packer)
Hermeneutics = Biblical Interpretation Everyone interprets the Bible in some fashion, and the Christian is called to understand, explain and apply the Scriptures as best as they are able. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) There is a correct way to interpret the Bible even the hard passages 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Common WRONG Ways Today People Interpret the Bible 1. Jeopardy 2. Osmosis 3. HallMark Card 4. Meme 5. iway / myspace
Hermeneutical Essentials Nature & Purpose of the Bible All Scripture Points to Christ God s Revelation of Himself the Redemption of His People, and the Coming of His Kingdom (Luke 24:32) The Authority, Inerrancy, Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency of Scripture The Need for the God s Help the illumination of the Holy Spirit Psalm 119:34; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10 God Promises to Help Us John 16:13; Eph. 4:11-16; I John 2:20-27; 2 Tim. 2:7
Hermeneutical Approaches throughout Church History (A Brief Summary) Early Church Fathers (200-400s) varied approaches: literal/historical, moral, allegorical, mystical. Augustine (354-430) championed a literal, historical approach to reading the Bible. He insisted that a proper understanding must begin with the mind of the writer, which required knowing the biblical languages and paying attention to context. Middle Ages Church s Four-Fold Hermeneutic (Not good) 1). the literal, showing what God did 2). the allegorical, showing what at surface level God hid 3). the moral, revealing what believers should do 4). the mystical, or anagogical, showing the heavenly life in which, for Christians, things will end.
Four-Fold Hermeneutic Example Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutic Jerusalem in Galatians 4:21-31 gives a good illustration of the four-fold sense of Scripture. Four meanings of Jerusalem: Literal/historical the city of the Jews Allegorical the church of Christ Moral indicates the human soul Mystical points to the heavenly city which is the mother of us all
Hermeneutical Approaches throughout Church History (A Brief Summary) Reformation: Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutic Each bible passage has one basic meaning, which was firmly rooted in historical truth. It is historical, relating real, interconnected historical events, that must be acknowledged and understood before the various teachings of the bible could make sense or have application. It is grammatical, using language the way any normal person would. This hermeneutical approach is absolutely vital, for it tethers the truth of the scriptures to real, historical events, that have a real impact on our life; and it gives us a way to study the scriptures with confidence, according to well-established dictates of human language.
Basic Principles for Proper Biblical Interpretation Three Key Questions to Ask 1. What does it say? (Observation) 2. What does it mean? (Interpretation) 3. How do I apply it? (Application)
1). What does it say? (Observation) Grammar / English Words: Importance of good translation CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE IS KEY! Literary Context: author, audience, immediate context of passage, book context, other books by same author, books in same time period (Gospels), NT or OT, Storyline of the Bible Historical Context: culture, customs, language, beliefs, history of author and original audience Genre of Scripture: Genres are categories of literature that have distinctive characteristics and, as a result, require some particularized reading strategies. Historical Narrative, Law, Prophetic Literature, Wisdom Literature, Apocalyptic Literature, Gospels and Acts, and Epistles Text Types: Refer to the form of the passage, they appear in the different genres narrative (or stories), discourse (or speeches), poetry, parables, legal, letters
2). What does it mean? (Interpretation) The Harmony Principle Because God is the author of all Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), it is all in harmony with itself and contains no real contradictions Implication #1: Everything Scripture says about God must be accepted and held together (Ezek. 33:11 & Deut. 28:63) Which is true? Does God delight in destroying Israel for their sins, or does He take no pleasure in it? Implication #2: The correct interpretation of any given Scripture passage will not contradict the total teaching of Scripture at any point. (Rom. 3:28 & James 2:24) Is there a contradiction between Paul and James on justification?
2). What does it mean? (Interpretation) Applying the Harmony Principle Scripture should be interpreted by Scripture (Matt. 11:14; John 1:22) (John 7:37-39; Ezek.47; Rev. 22) - connectedness Scripture should not be set against Scripture (Romans 3:28; James 2:24) What appears to be secondary and obscure in the Scripture should be studied in the light of what appears primary and plain (1 Corinthians 15:29)
2). What does it mean? (Interpretation) Read & Interpret a Passage in view of its genre & text type How you understand an OT Proverb will be different than applying an imperative in an Epistle. A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will prosper. (Proverbs 28:25) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
2). What does it mean? (Interpretation) Read & Interpret a Passage in view of its genre & text type How your read apocalyptic literature will be different than how you understand Gospel parables. (Ezekiel s Vision of Divine Glory in Chapter 1) (Luke 15:8-10: Parable of the Lost Coins)
3). How do I apply it? (Application) Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. (Calvin s Institutes) Question to Ask: From all that I have come to understand this passage meaning, what does it teach me about God and His Kingdom, and what does it teach me about me and how I should live?
So What? Why Does It Matter that we work towards using correct principles and methods for interpreting the Bible?
Good Biblical Interpretation Matters NEGATIVE Misunderstanding, teaching & applying God s Word in error can lead to: God s judgement, wrath, and/or discipline Embracing of outright heresy, erroneous doctrines, worldly philosophies & spirituality Confusion and lack of wisdom, apathy and ignorance Inability to better know the fullness of Christ love and the filling of the Spirit POSITIVE Striving to search, know and apply the Scriptures properly will help you: Know God better; know the love & forgiveness of Christ; experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To correctly apply the Scriptures to your daily life. Evangelize and disciple others, pointing them to Christ. To Glorify God and enjoy Him now with the ever-longing hope of Christ return.
Questions?
Resources for Further Study Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, Macmillan/Library of Liberty Arts (1997). J. Scott Duvall, J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God s Word, Zondervan (2012) Online Course https://courses.zondervanacademic.com/biblical-interpretation Andreas Köstenberger, Online Course TGC Learn, An Invitation to Biblical Interpretation https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/invitation-biblical-interpretation Andreas Köstenberger, Video: Is the Bible Full of Contradictions? https://youtu.be/dqknrdzx96q William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Zondervan (2017) Online Course: https://courses.zondervanacademic.com/introduction-biblical-interpretation J.I. Packer, 'Fundamentalism' and the Word of God Inter-Varsity Press (1958) http://www.bible-researcher.com/packer1.html John Piper, Brian Tabb, Online Course: Principles of Biblical Interpretation https://courses.biblemesh.com/principles-biblical-interpretation Vern S. Poythress, Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God: A Handbook for Biblical Interpretation, Crossway (2016) Monergism (Biblical Interpretation Resources): https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=biblical+interpretation&format=all