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Biblical Hermeneutics: An Introduction to Interpretation

This session presented at the National Ezra Conference explores the importance of biblical hermeneutics and provides guidelines for interpreting different genres of literature in the Bible. It also discusses available tools for Bible interpretation.

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Biblical Hermeneutics: An Introduction to Interpretation

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  1. Biblical Hermeneutics Presented to National Ezra Conference on 29th ec 2016 By: Kepha Nyandega

  2. Introduction • What expectations do you have for this session? • Matt 27: 5b; Lk 10:37b; Jn 27b • What has been your experience of reading the Bible? Hermeneutics

  3. Ezra 2016 Leadership’s Expectations • This is a key skill that every bible student ought to acquire. The session should answer the following questions; • why is hermeneutics necessary? • What are the principles of hermeneutics? • How do you apply hermeneutics on different genres of literature in the Bible? • How do you integrate hermeneutics in our daily study? • What are available tools for Bible interpretation? Hermeneutics

  4. Outline • Introduction • What is Hermeneutics? • What is Bible interpretation? • Why Interpret the Bible? Importance of Hermeneutics • What is General Hermeneutics? • Question of context, • Question of Content • Special Hermeneutics • (Genre specific guidelines) • Requirements for Effective Bible interpretation • Conclusion • Exercise Hermeneutics

  5. Introduction: What is Hermeneutics? • A technical Greek word meaning to explain, interpret or translate. • In biblical studies, the term refers to the science and art of biblical interpretation. Hermeneutics

  6. What is Bible Interpretation? To interpret means to understand the right or intended meaning of a certain word or phrase or a text. It is the process of reading and getting the author-intended-meaning of a biblical word, phrase or text and how this apply to the reader’s present situation It is not about seeking for some ‘unique’ meaning Hermeneutics

  7. Introduction: What is Hermeneutics? ... Fee and Stuart (2003, 23) say that hermeneutics involves 2 levels: Level 1: Exegesis : careful, systematic study of scripture to discover the original, intended meaning- finding the meaning ‘there and then’. Level 2: ‘Hermeneutics’- moving from the meaning of a text ‘there and then’ to its meaning ‘here and now’- contemporary relevance of ancient texts This is opposed to eisegesis – imposing one’s meaning into a text Hermeneutics is scriptural! Luke 24: 27 Hermeneutics

  8. Why interpret the Bible?Importance of Hermeneutics: • Interpretation is a basic skill in life. • We all approach scriptures with a pre-understanding- we must overcome this!! Lk 19: 1-10 • To guard against error in doctrine and practice; • To apply God’s word in our lives and encourage growth • Due to the nature of the scriptures:the bibleis both divine and human- i.e. it has both eternal relevance as well as historical particularity ‘Vertical dimension of scripture should not negate the horizontal dimension…’ D. Brent Sandy, pp 12

  9. Why Interpret the Bible ? … 6. There are gaps as we approach the Bible: • Bible composition: 66 bks by about 40 authors over 1500 year period in different styles/ genres! • Time Gap- last book written in about 90 AD • The cultural gap • Geographical Gap (-1,400m - 2,224m a.s.l. !!) • Language Gap – Biblical languages e.g.Hebrew (OT), Aramaic (parts of Esther and Daniel), and Greek (NT) are all not our mother tongue! Hermeneutics

  10. What is General Biblical Hermeneutics? Refers to general guidelines to interpreting any text. Requires proper reading and asking the ‘right questions’ 2 questions critical in seeking intended meaning: Question of the context&of theContent of a text Context is the setting or background of a message eg a statement like ‘Planting a seed’may mean differently depending on the context. What are some possible meanings? Hermeneutics

  11. General Hermeneutics:Question of the context • A text out of a context is a pretext • Words & concepts only makes sense in a context eg Matthew 16:23 • Two critical contexts are: Literary Context and historical/ Geographical context Hermeneutics

  12. Question of the context:Literary Context Immediate context Book context Same author context Whole Bible context Q. Which context is missing here? Text Circle of Literary contexts: Use the 7FFQs to determine these contexts

  13. General Hermeneutics:Question of the context Historical Context Each Bible Book has its history in terms of: • The time and the culture of the author and his readers • The occasion and purpose of the book Geographical context aids in understand the context of communication between author and his audience egLk 10: 30 ‘Going down to Jericho…’ These can be gotten from the Bible itself, a Bible with introductions, a Bible dictionary, Bible atlas, or other references, or even through google! Hermeneutics

  14. General Hermeneutics:Question of the Content Content is the message being communicated i.e. the meaning of words and phrases Take note of context while looking for meaning of words and phrases eg Joel 3:10 ‘…Let the weakling say, “I am strong!”’ is a ridicule to the wicked by God and not an encouragement to the believer! Override pre-understanding!!! Hermeneutics

  15. Special Hermeneutics Refers to specific skills required for each genre A genre is type, style, category etc of writing • All Bible books fall in any of the following genres: • Narrative: describe events, people and report dialogue and teaching eg the first 17 books of OT and the first 5 Bks of NT • Discourse: An argument persuading people to change their behavior or belief eg prophets and Epistles • Poetry and Wisdom:Records testimonies or feelings of the writer eg Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. How are words of people to God, God’s word to us? • Apocalyptic:records visions, dreams, or special terminology, symbols and other vivid imagery, secrets of God’s plan for history and the coming triumph e.g., Revelation, parts of Daniel and Ezekiel. Others are Matt 24= Mrk 13 = Lk 21 Hermeneutics

  16. Requirements for Effective Bible Interpretation: The Interpreter • Being regenerate 2Cor 4:4, Eph 2:1 • Reverence and humility to God’s word. Avoid the ‘author game’ • Prayerful attitude and willingness to obey. It is of no benefit to know more unless you first do something with what you know already – Selwyn Hughes • Dependence on the Holy Spirit. • Sound judgment and reason. Hermeneutics

  17. Requirements for Effective Bible Interpretation: Tools for interpretation • A heart determined to study God’s word guided by the Spirit. • A good bible translation or different version (or languages) if possible • Good reliable bible helps e.g. bible dictionary, commentary, atlas, etc • Writing material • Good grasp of the bible language if you can Hermeneutics

  18. Testing All Your Interpretations • Natural sense- the rule of simplicity. Take the Bible simply first unless it contradicts or does not make sense (interpret as a figure of speech if it doesn't) • Original sense- the rule of history. Seek for the author’s intended meaning • General sense: the rule of harmony. The Bible does not contradict itself. • Distinguish between moral and ceremonial laws. • Differentiate the descriptive from the prescriptive aspects of the text under study Hermeneutics

  19. Application: What does the text mean to me now? • This is the purpose of Reading and Interpretation • To Apply the scriptures you have interpreted, look out for points of contact or identification eg • How are we like the people addressed? • How are their problems/ needs like ours? • How is God’s counsel or action on their behalf relevant to us? • How does their encounter with God apply to us?

  20. Step 3: Application (Cont…) Use SPECK • S -Sin To confess • P -promise to proclaim • E - Example to follow or not to follow • C -Command to obey • K - Knowledge of God to Keep I.B.S.

  21. Step 3: Application (Cont…) Remember to be SHARP in your application • S - Specific in action to be taken • H -Honest with yourself • A -All inclusive. Apply to all people- fellowship, family, nation, etc • R -Relevant to the issues of the day e.g. farmers’ problems, injustice in society, politics, etc • P -Personal. Don’t be general and vague I.B.S.

  22. Application (Cont…) I.B.S.

  23. Conclusion The process of understanding the scripture may appear hard and in deed it is. Thankfully, God does not expect us to be perfect overnight. We are asked to do our best to present ourselves as those approved, workmen who do not need to be ashamed, but those who correctly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2: 15) We need to soak the process with prayers for it may be hard and dry without the water of the Spirit. Hermeneutics

  24. Exercise • Read Luke 19:1-10 and respond to the folowing • Who was Zaccheus as presented in the text? • What is the significance of verse 7-8? • How similar or different are you to Zaccheus? What message do you get from this story? B. Read Matthew 1: 1- 17 and Luke 1: 23-37 • Why do you think the two sets of genealogies of Jesus different? • What lessons/ message can you deduce from the two texts? Send your response to: konyandega@gmail.com or 0721974695 Hermeneutics

  25. Thank you… Any question or comment? Hermeneutics

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