Hermeneutics Course Introduction

Quote from Donald K. Campbell in Basic Bible Interpretation “It sometimes seems almost anything can be proved by the Bible, for there is scarcely a religion, sect, or cult in Christendom that does not use Scripture texts to “prove” its doctrine. In that respect the Bible may well be the most abused book in the world.... The solution to this problem of widely differing interpretations is to employ the correct method of biblical interpretation. We believe that to be the literal method which approaches the Scripture in the normal, customary way in which we talk, write, and think. It means taking the Scriptures at face value in an attempt to know what God meant by what He said.”

Examples of Differing Interpretations Col 1:15 says that Christ is “the Firstborn of all creation.” What are the possibilities for interpretation here? Col 1:15 says that Christ is “the Firstborn of all creation.” What are the possibilities for interpretation here? Mormon leader Brigham Young justified his having more than 30 wives by pointing to the fact that Abraham had more than 1 wife (as did Jacob, David, and Solomon!) Mormon leader Brigham Young justified his having more than 30 wives by pointing to the fact that Abraham had more than 1 wife (as did Jacob, David, and Solomon!) Some teach that Christ’s present reign in heaven means that there is no need for a 1000-year reign by Christ upon the earth, though Revelation 20 explicitly teaches this. Some teach that Christ’s present reign in heaven means that there is no need for a 1000-year reign by Christ upon the earth, though Revelation 20 explicitly teaches this.

Definitions Hermeneutics – From the Greek word, meaning “to interpret, to explain.” It is the science (principles) and art (task) of Biblical interpretation. Hermeneutics – From the Greek word e`rmhneu,w, meaning “to interpret, to explain.” It is the science (principles) and art (task) of Biblical interpretation. “Hermeneutics, therefore is both a science and an art. As a science, it enunciates principles, investigates the laws of thought and language, and classifies it facts and results. As an art, it teaches what application these principles should have, and establishes their soundness by showing their practical value in the elucidation of the more difficult Scriptures” (Milton Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, p. 20). “Hermeneutics, therefore is both a science and an art. As a science, it enunciates principles, investigates the laws of thought and language, and classifies it facts and results. As an art, it teaches what application these principles should have, and establishes their soundness by showing their practical value in the elucidation of the more difficult Scriptures” (Milton Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, p. 20). Exegesis – the application of the principles of hermeneutics to discover the meaning of the text in its original setting. Exegesis – the application of the principles of hermeneutics to discover the meaning of the text in its original setting. Exposition – setting forth the meaning of the text in a public presentation, whether oral or written. Exposition – setting forth the meaning of the text in a public presentation, whether oral or written.

Relationship of Hermeneutics to Other Disciplines LEVEL I OT & NT SurveyBiblical Languages Hermeneutics LEVEL II Biblical Exegesis LEVEL III Systematic Theology Biblical Theology Church HistoryPhilosophy of Religion Apologetics Homiletics Counseling Christian Ed Administration Missions Evangelism Contemporary Society Bible Exposition LEVEL IV

Three Steps in Bible Study Step 1 – Observation: What does it say? Step 1 – Observation: What does it say? Step 2 – Interpretation: What does it mean? Step 2 – Interpretation: What does it mean? Step 3 – Application: How can I put into practice what I have learned? Step 3 – Application: How can I put into practice what I have learned? Note: Application must be based solidly on sound interpretation!

Some Important Presuppositions The Inspiration of Scripture - “All Scripture is God- breathed (Gr. qeo,pneustoj )” (2 Tim 3:16). This quality applies both to the whole (plenary) and to the individual words (verbal) of Scripture. It ensures Scripture’s absolute truthfulness and trustworthiness, enabling us to approach it in faith and not skepticism. The Inspiration of Scripture - “All Scripture is God- breathed (Gr. qeo,pneustoj )” (2 Tim 3:16). This quality applies both to the whole (plenary) and to the individual words (verbal) of Scripture. It ensures Scripture’s absolute truthfulness and trustworthiness, enabling us to approach it in faith and not skepticism. The Clarity of Scripture - Scripture was meant to be understood by the regenerated believer; he does not need the Church to tell him what it says. This does not deny the difficulty of particular passages within Scripture, nor the need for teachers within the Church, but true spiritual authority comes from the Bible itself, not from the Church. Luther spoke of two kinds of clarity: The Clarity of Scripture - Scripture was meant to be understood by the regenerated believer; he does not need the Church to tell him what it says. This does not deny the difficulty of particular passages within Scripture, nor the need for teachers within the Church, but true spiritual authority comes from the Bible itself, not from the Church. Luther spoke of two kinds of clarity: External clarity - Scripture follows the laws of human language and is thereby comprehensible. External clarity - Scripture follows the laws of human language and is thereby comprehensible. Internal clarity - This is the work of the Spirit in the heart and mind of the believer, illuminating his mind to see the truth of Scripture as the truth of God. Internal clarity - This is the work of the Spirit in the heart and mind of the believer, illuminating his mind to see the truth of Scripture as the truth of God.

Some Important Presuppositions The Single Meaning of Scripture The Single Meaning of Scripture This principle means that a biblical text has one proper meaning or interpretation, arrived at by application of appropriate hermeneutical principles. This principle means that a biblical text has one proper meaning or interpretation, arrived at by application of appropriate hermeneutical principles. “A fundamental principle in grammatico-historical exposition is that words and sentences can have but one significance in one and the same connection. The moment we neglect this principle we drift out upon a sea of uncertainty and conjecture” (Terry, p. 103). “A fundamental principle in grammatico-historical exposition is that words and sentences can have but one significance in one and the same connection. The moment we neglect this principle we drift out upon a sea of uncertainty and conjecture” (Terry, p. 103).

Some Important Presuppositions Scripture is a Progressive Revelation Scripture is a Progressive Revelation “This perspective of progressive revelation is very important to the interpreter. He will expect the full revelation of God in the New Testament. He will not force New Testament meanings into the Old, yet he will be able to more fully expound the Old knowing its counterparts in the New. He will adjust his sights to the times, customs, manners, and morals of the people of God at any given state in the Old Testament period of revelation, and he will be aware of the partial and elementary nature of the Old Testament revelation. He will take Augustine’s words (Distingue tempora et concordabis Scriptura) “distinguish the times and you will harmonize Scripture” as a guide so as not to create a contradiction in Scripture by forcing a New Testament standard of morality or doctrine upon an Old Testament passage” (Ramm, ). “This perspective of progressive revelation is very important to the interpreter. He will expect the full revelation of God in the New Testament. He will not force New Testament meanings into the Old, yet he will be able to more fully expound the Old knowing its counterparts in the New. He will adjust his sights to the times, customs, manners, and morals of the people of God at any given state in the Old Testament period of revelation, and he will be aware of the partial and elementary nature of the Old Testament revelation. He will take Augustine’s words (Distingue tempora et concordabis Scriptura) “distinguish the times and you will harmonize Scripture” as a guide so as not to create a contradiction in Scripture by forcing a New Testament standard of morality or doctrine upon an Old Testament passage” (Ramm, ).

We Don’t Read the Bible Like This... Old TestamentNew Testament

We Read the Bible Like This The Word of God

Some Important Presuppositions Uniqueness of the Bible as a Book - “Since God is the divine Author of the Book, it is totally unique. It is one of a kind. The Bible is not simply a book with man’s thoughts about God and man. The Bible reports what God did and communicates what He is and what He desires. The Bible is also unique in that it was written by God and man. Human authors wrote as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)” (Zuck, 18). Uniqueness of the Bible as a Book - “Since God is the divine Author of the Book, it is totally unique. It is one of a kind. The Bible is not simply a book with man’s thoughts about God and man. The Bible reports what God did and communicates what He is and what He desires. The Bible is also unique in that it was written by God and man. Human authors wrote as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)” (Zuck, 18). The first five books of the Old Testament were written circa 1400 BC, and the last book, Revelation, was written circa 95 AD. Thus the Bible was written over a span of 1500 years. The first five books of the Old Testament were written circa 1400 BC, and the last book, Revelation, was written circa 95 AD. Thus the Bible was written over a span of 1500 years. It was written by 40 different human authors. It was written by 40 different human authors. It is a human book - The Bible is not mystical. It is written in human language and intended to be understood by humans. It is a human book - The Bible is not mystical. It is written in human language and intended to be understood by humans. It is a divine book - God is the ultimate author of all Scripture. This means that some things in His word will be beyond our ability to fully comprehend. It is a divine book - God is the ultimate author of all Scripture. This means that some things in His word will be beyond our ability to fully comprehend.

Some Important Presuppositions The Importance of the Original Languages - Disputes in interpretation must be finally solved by an appeal to the original languages. The Importance of the Original Languages - Disputes in interpretation must be finally solved by an appeal to the original languages. The Requirement of Grammatical-Historical Interpretation - The fundamental principle of this method is “to gather from the Scriptures themselves the precise meaning which the writers intended to convey. It applies to the sacred books the same principles, the same grammatical process and exercise of common sense and reason, which we apply to other books” (Terry, p. 70). The Requirement of Grammatical-Historical Interpretation - The fundamental principle of this method is “to gather from the Scriptures themselves the precise meaning which the writers intended to convey. It applies to the sacred books the same principles, the same grammatical process and exercise of common sense and reason, which we apply to other books” (Terry, p. 70).