Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,2006 1

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,  The term “hermeneutic” means – “The science and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text.”  There are several faulty methods in use today by professed Bible students, (Mystical, Spiritualistic Rationalistic, Hierarchical, etc.), thus contributing to the misunderstanding, confusion and division that exists in the religious world.  Do we need a new way of interpreting the Bible?  How does one come to a correct understanding of Biblical teaching?

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, "Because of our tie to the _constitutional pattern approach_ we have grown farther and farther away from the intentions of the writers of the New Testament in our use of some of those writings...and farther and farther away from the legitimate cry of today's human heart." (Randy Mayeau, Nashville 12/88) ILoveJesus

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, "Over the years our position in churches of Christ has been that if we can restore the pattern of New Testament Christianity there will be unity among our churches. Our basis for restoring that pattern has centered around the three principles of Hermeneutics - These three principles of Hermeneutics have led us into a hard- line, _patternistic formalism_." (Bill Swetmon, Nashville 12/88)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, The CENI (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) hermeneutic, contrary to the belief of some, did not fall directly from the throne room of God into the hands of men. It is no more "inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic devised by men to aid in the interpretation of a written document. Personally, I think it is greatly flawed.... Al Maxey – Gospel Preachers List

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, There are several who have suggested legitimate, and I believe far more valid, approaches to biblical hermeneutics. Bro. F. LeGard Smith, in one of his books, presented just such a hermeneutic. Al Maxey – Gospel Preachers List

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Cecil Hook Patternism is another facet of legalism, a seeking to find holy, sacramental rituals through which we maintain righteousness and an official, mediatorial organization through which we work our righteousness, and by which we are kept in controlled conformity. It encroaches on our individual freedom in serving God. (FREE AS SONS by Cecil Hook CHAPTER 20 ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN - )

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia  Claims ‘CENI’ is the real NEW hermeneutic -  Claims that ‘CENI’ was developed by those attempting to restore the NT church -  Claims ‘CENI’ is the cause of division in the church –  Call’s his BETTER hermeneutic the “Christ Hermeneutic.”

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,  The Cause – To Restore The New Testament Church -  The Approach – To Find & Follow The New Testament Pattern –  The Method – Finding The Commands, Approved Examples and Necessary Implications in the New Testament.  The Practice – Following The New Testament pattern & Teaching Others They Need To Do The Same!

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Old Testament examples of restoration  Asa – 1 Kings 15  Jehoash - 2 Kings 12  Hezekiah – 2 Kings 18  Josiah – 2 Kings 22  Ezra & Nehemiah – Ezra & Nehemiah

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, It was required that those under the OT follow the patterns given –  Noah & the Ark. (Gen 6:13-16)  The Law of Moses – (Exodus 20; 2 Kings 23:2,3)  The Furnishings of The Tabernacle – (Exodus 25-30; 25:9, 40; Heb 8:5)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, What if they did not follow the pattern  Cain - (Gen. 4:7) if you do well...  Nadab and Abihu - (Lev. 10:1,2)  King Saul – (1 Sam. 15)  David’s ox cart – (1 Chr. 13:7-12; 15:2)  Jeroboam - (1 Kings 12:25-33)  The people of Israel and Judah - Taken captive (2 Chr. 36:16)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Is The New Testament Our Pattern??  The apostles were to reveal ALL truth – John 16:13; Mat 28:18-20;  The Apostle Paul declared the need to hold fast to the pattern –2 Timothy 1:13  We are to stand fast and hold the traditions taught - 2 Thes. 2:15; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3  If We Don’t – 2 John 9; Rev 22:18,19

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Is The New Testament Our Pattern??  The plan of salvation -  The New Testament Church  The acts of worship  The day to observe the Lord's Supper  The church and its work

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, The Inductive Method This method is the compilation of all references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements, approved actions, and necessary implications. When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be arrived at.

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, "The book consists of language written by someone for the sake of communicating something to you. Your success in reading it is determined by the extent to which you receive everything the writer intended to communicate" (How To Read A Book, Page 7; By Adler & Van Doren)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, The reader who comes to terms with an author and grasps his propositions and reasoning shares the author’s mind. In fact, the whole process of interpretation is directed toward a meeting of minds through the medium of language. (How To Read A Book; Adler & Van Doren, Pg 153)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Finding The Direct Statements, Approved Examples and Necessary Implications in the New Testament.

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia What can one KNOW from the scriptures without using the direct statements, examples or implications in scripture??  Who Is God??  Who is Jesus??  What is the church??  What must I do to be saved???  ANYTHING????

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia What can one prove from the scriptures without using the direct statements, examples or implications in scripture??  The Deity of Christ -  The resurrection of Christ –  The kingship of Christ -  The plan of salvation –  You choose!!!!

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia IS THIS NEW???  Peter, James & Paul – Acts 15:6-19  James appealed to direct statements. vs  Paul referenced how God exemplified His will. v. 12  Peter argued by the implications of what God did. vs. 7-11; (cf. Acts 10,11)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia  Jack Holt called his better hermeneutic “The Hermeneutic of Love”  Ben call’s his BETTER hermeneutic the “Christ Hermeneutic.”???

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia  Where & How do we learn about LOVE???  How do we learn about Christ??  Would one following the Christ Hermeneutic treat scripture like Christ did???

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia Christ’s Hermeneutic??? Mat 19:3-9  Example – Made them male and female - (Gen. 1:27)  Direct statement – Man shall leave and cleave & be one flesh – (Gen. 2:24)  Implication – God joined – (cf Mal 2:14)  Necessary Inference - What God has joined together, let not man separate!” (Mat. 19:6)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad Street Lagrange, Georgia Christ’s Hermeneutic???  What is written in the Law – (Luke 10:26-28)  Jesus reassuring John b. - (Mt. 11:3-5)  Jesus and the resurrection (Mt. 22:31-33; Lk. 20:37-40)  Jesus about the humanity and deity of the Messiah (Mt. 22:41- 46)  Don’t look back – (Luke 17:32)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, The Lord’s Supper???  Direct Statement – Do this in remembrance of Me – Mat 26:26-28  Example –When to observe the Lord’s supper - Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7  Implication – Frequency of observance – Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, Legalistic??? Pharisaical!  Jesus stressed obedience – Mat 7:21  Jesus NEVER rebuked the Scribes & Pharisees for obeying God but for their disobedience!!! - Mat 23:23-28  Jesus rebuked their misapplication of the Law – Mat 12:1-8; 15:7-9  Jesus MUST be obeyed – Mat 17:5; John 14:23; Heb 5:8,9; 2 John 9  To follow the pattern given by apostles is to obey Christ – Acts 2:42; 2 Thes 3:14,15

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, What Is Wrong With Teaching People To do what the NT Teaches????  Stress the need to search for truth!!  Stress the need to obey the gospel!  Stress the need to follow the divine pattern for the church!  Stress the need for developing godly attitudes!! (Love, Mercy, Humility...)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,  Understandable – Eph 3:3-5  Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim 3:16,17  Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9  The totality of information revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, FWe must recognize the importance of establishing Divine authority for ALL we do!!  The Bible – (specifically the NT), is the ONLY source from whence Divine authority can be established – Mat 21:23-27; Col. 3:17  What is your attitude towards the need to establish authority for all that you do? - 2 John 9

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, FWhat do we need to understand it? –  An honest heart; - (Acts 17:11)  A strong desire to serve him in humble obedience. (Psalms 10:17)  A great love for the Word of God, i.e. – “TRUTH,” (Psalms 119: )  Searching – (Acts 17:11,12)  Diligence – rightly dividing the word – (2 Tim 2:15; Eph 3:3-5)

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10, FThe subjective method introduced by those ridiculing what they call ‘CENI’ will only take them and those who follow them away from the Lord!!  The New Hermeneutic movement will take those that follow it to the same spiritual condition as the children of Israel during the days of the Judges, - (Judges 17:6, 21:25).

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,  We Must Search for the Old Paths, Not Create New Ones –  “Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it,” (Jeremiah 6:16).  Will we walk in the Old Paths? We’d better!!

Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,