Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is a set of principles that is used to determine the meaning of the
biblical text under investigation. Understanding hermeneutics
is paramount in developing a consistency in the interpretation of Scripture.
The text is the passage you are studying.
Key Verses- 2tim3:16 all scripture God breathed.
1pet1:20
no scripture came by private interpretation
1tim4:16
watch your life and doctrine closely.
Key
Questions Answered
1.
If
all Christians have the same Bible why is there so many differences?
2.
How
do I know what each passage of the Bible means?
3.
Is
the Bible a difficult book to understand?
Our Hermeneutic
Riverside Christian Assembly is committed to a historical, grammatical, and contextual
hermeneutic. This means each text is seen through the history of who wrote it, why they wrote, who received it, what was
happening in that part of the world at that time, and what their original
purpose in writing it was. Secondly, the Bible was not originally written in
English. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in
Greek. Translators have done an excellent job in communicating the message. However,
when anything goes from one langue
to another, something of the original meaning gets lost. We study Greek and Hebrew
to aid in finding the full meaning. Lastly, the context of the text is of the utmost importance. What is happening
in the book as a whole? What is the author’s overarching purpose? What happened
in the book leading up to your text? What happens immediately after?
A few Rules
1.
The Bible can never mean what it never meant.
2.
A text without a context is a pretext for proof
texting.
3.
The Bible best explains itself. Let one text
interpret another.
Danger in Bad Hermeneutics
The most common error people make is in not understanding
the context. For example a NFL Quarterback throws 8 touchdown passes in one
game. In the postgame interview he thanks God saying; “I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.” This is Philippians 4:13. However in Philippians
4:12 it says; “I know how to live poor and I know how to live rich.” The author,
Paul, in the context of the book is thanking the Philippian church for their generous
gifts to him. In the immediate context he is simply addressing his ability to
live with or without wealth. So when the pop warner QB prays; “God I can throw
8 TD’s in an NFL game because “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” He is not quoting God’s promise only his wishes. That is not
what it meant. Therefor it is not what it can mean.
Other Hermeneutics
1.
Scholastic method- This is where the
student looks back at what other people said about the text. If you hear a lot of
quotes by Popes, Cardinals, Saints or commentators this is likely the approach
they are taking. Martin Luther led the protestant reformation that declared “Sola
Scripura” meaning “only the scripture.” This was opposed to the Catholics
believing the Pope’s words were equal with the scripture and in opposition to
many unbiblical church practices such as the selling of indulgences.
2.
“Grab and swing”- this is the lazy man’s
method. They just open the Bible, point, read and interpret it according to their
life. Often people say; “I just opened the Bible and it said exactly what I needed.”
This may be true, but my experience is they often miss the context, history and
grammar.
3.
Guided- This is where a leader
re-interprets the scripture. Cults are guilty of this. Adherents are not
encouraged to read translations of the Bible that their church leaders did not alter.
They are characterized by monthly magazines or newsletters that replace or supplement
simply reading the Bible. Questions are
discouraged and “new revelations” abound.
4.
Systematic- This is where verses in their
individual context is often ignored but the Bible themes and topics are categorized
together throughout the Bible. Someone who just reads verse after verse on a
specific topic is often doing a systematic study. This can be good if the
verses are used in context. It is dangerous when they aren’t.
Conclusion
We are the secondary recipients of God’s word. I am a 21st
century English speaking American. I have little in common with the original recipients.
Whether we are thinking of the Israelites being led by Moses in the wilderness
(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), or Nehemiah rebuilding
Jerusalem during their captivity (Ezra, Nehemiah), or the church at Ephesus
being led by young Timothy (Act, 1and 2 Timothy) I cannot naturally fully
understand. I need to put myself in their shoes to get what was meant primarily
for them. The Bible is meant for all mankind. However the meaning and the
understanding the original audience had cannot be separated. Hermeneutics
should be the guide, the system in getting us there.
Driving it home
Take a few minutes and see if you can give a reasonable
answer to the questions we started with;
1.
If
all Christians have the same Bible why are there so many differences?
2.
How
do I know what each passage of the Bible means?
3.
Is
the Bible a difficult book to understand?
If you can’t answer these questions, what further
information is needed?
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