“Apply the whole of ourselves to the text; Apply the text wholly to yourself!” J.A. Bengel (1687-1752)

Bengel worded it as an exhortation. With us as the active agents in the interpretive process.

However, what if we write it this way, “Apply the whole of ourselves to the text; And the text will apply itself wholly to you!”

This becomes more of a promise relying upon an outside agent, the Holy Spirit. The Bible ceases to be an object; rather the Word takes hold of us. We bring questions to the Bible and the Word in turn questions us. We cease to the Bible as a container with meaning…rather the Word transforms reading into an Divine encounter. E.g., Beethoven’s 9th as a music score or as an event

Define Terms Exegesis Literally: Reading Out Avoid: Eisegesis Literally: Reading in

Define Terms Hermeneutics (Greek e`rmhnei,a) The Science of interpretation The Art of interpretation

Define Terms Often, the terms can be separated this way: Exegesis: What the text meant Hermeneutics: What the text means

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? Why not just “read” the text and let the Spirit enlighten us? Listen to John 14:25-26 All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? Mark 4…esp. 4:10-12 Mark 9:10 Acts 2:12 Acts 10 (esp. 10:17) 2 Peter 3:14-16

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? Nature of communication is ambiguous. Words: “Can” “punch” Phrase: The shooting of the hunters she heard I like my secretary better than my wife OT: Hebrew is a consonantal language. What might the letters BRD form?

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? The Nature of the Bible warrants interpretation It’s a God Book, Revelation, inspiration It’s a Human book, language limitation

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? The Nature of History (especially recorded biblical events) Demands Explanation Habakkuk 1 Jeremiah 7

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? The Nature of God in Christ cries out for details Phil 2:5-11 Acts 9:1-6

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? The form of the New Testament requires interpretation Antiquity it was oral Today it is written Therefore we miss 60% of meaning e.g., Read the words “What is truth?”spoken by Pilate to Jesus (John 18:38)

Why the need for a class in Biblical Interpretation? Contemporary World longs for profound answers to today’s questions How will you address the question of sin in a relativistic world? How about AIDS, sex, homosexuality? How about women in ministry? 1 Timothy 2:11-15