Hermeneutics

1. 2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Hermeneutics

2. Hermeneutics Hermeneutics – • Hermes was the god of science, speech, writing, invention and art • General – the science of interpretation or of finding the meaning of an authors words ... And of explaining it to others

3. Hermeneutics Biblical Hermeneutics • A Science because it is concerned with principles within an order system • An Art because it is concerned with applying the principles derived, involving the skill of the interpreter

4. Hermeneutics Send Receive Communication Communicator Communicatee

5. Hermeneutics Encode Decode Un-decoded Understanding Gap Idea Idea Wrong Idea SENDER Frame of Reference RECEIVER Frame of Reference RECEIVER Frame of Reference

6. Hermeneutics Exegesis Inspiration Bridging the Understanding Gap Human Writers Theology Revelation Illumination Truth Truth Frame of Reference Infinite Eternal Omniscient 0 Frame of Reference Finite Temporal Limited GOD MAN Sender Receiver

7. Hermeneutics And Other Biblical Sciences • Canonology – standards of Divine inspiration • Historical Criticism – date, authorship, historical circumstances, authenticity and unity of the books • Textual Criticism – accuracy of the wording to the original wording of the inspired text • Hermeneutics – principles of interpretation • Exegesis – the process of interpretation • Biblical Theology – compilation, categorising and summarising of Biblical doctrine. Formulates conclusions by considering all the Scripture relative to a topic

8. Hermeneutics Interpreters • Legal Interpreters Acts 13:27; Jn 5:39-40; 18:28 • False Interpreters 2 Cor 4:2; Eph 4:14; 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15 • True Interpreters Luke 24:27; Job 33:23; 2Tim 2:15

9. Hermeneutics Qualifications of Biblical Interpreters • Born of the Spirit and the Word John 3:1-12; 1 Peter 1:23 • Hunger for the Word Job 23:12; Ps 119:47; Jer 15:16 • Attitude of Humility Acts 13:27; Phil 2:3; Acts 20:19; 1 Pe 5:5; James 1:21 • Reverence and respect for the Word Ps 119:6 • Accept the Inspiration of Scripture 2Tim 3:16; 2 Pe 1:21

10. Hermeneutics Qualifications of Biblical Interpreters • Approach the Word with Faith Heb 11:3; Matt 13:10-17; Isa 6:9-10 • Needs a Renewed Mind Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23; 1 Cor 2:14-16; Rom 8:5-7; Phil 2:2-3 • Dependency on the Spirit’s illumination 1 Cor 2:7-16 • Meditation on the Word Ps 1:2; Josh 1:8; Ps 119:48, 78, 148 • Intellectually Honest 2 Cor 4:2; 2 Peter 3:15-16

11. Hermeneutics Qualifications of Biblical Interpreters • Recognition of the unity of Spirit and Word 1 John 4:1-6; 5:7-8 • Recognition of the progressive revelation of Scripture • Understands the relationship between the OT and NT Jer 31:31-34 • Diligent in use of study resources 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 2:15 • Possesses a sound mind 2 Tim 1:7

12. Hermeneutics The Understanding Gap The Linguistic Gap The Bible is written in three languages which are no longer in use. Ancient Hebrew, Ancient Chaldean and Koine Greek have been long been extinct as spoken languages. The way to bridge the gap is to study linguistics. This involves the study of three basic areas - vocabulary, grammar and genre.

13. Hermeneutics The Understanding Gap The Cultural Gap The cultural context of the Biblical writers differ vastly from the culture of the modern day reader. This can only be bridged through the study of the cultural setting of the Biblical writers. The Material culture - consisting of the housing, cooking utensils, food, clothing, agricultural implements, transportation, animals, art, etc. The Social culture considers the way things were done and the manner in which the people of that society related to one another.

14. Hermeneutics The Understanding Gap The Geographical Gap The geographical context of the Biblical writers is foreign to the modern day reader. This can be bridged by the study of the Political, Geological, Botanical and Zoological geography of the biblical context. This we need to realise changes greatly through the various settings of the biblical story.

15. HermeneuticsThe Understanding Gap The Historical Gap The setting of the Bible varies greatly from that of the modern day reader of Scripture. Here the study of the political, economic, religious background of various settings of the Bible warrant close examination.

16. Hermeneutics [How to COMB you Bible] CONTEXT (1) It is perilous to pluck a passage out of context, as the following examples show –  (a) First example: a misuse of 2 Kg 9:20. (b) Second example: a misuse of De 28:13. (c) Third example: a misuse of 1 Ti 5:14. (2)The common mistake of those people, and of many others like them, was that of plucking a Bible passage out of its context and applying it to a situation with which it had at best only a tenuous connection.

17. Hermeneutics (3) Every passage must be understood within the framework first, of the chapter in which it is found then of the place of that chapter within the book then of the place of the book in the Bible. If you know of similar examples, you could make use of them here, either in addition to, or instead of, the examples I have given.

18. Hermeneutics (4)There are, of course, promises that are absolute, and remain so even within the larger context of the whole Bible, such as the promise of salvation (cp. He 6:18) so a sound principle is the “whole-part-whole” method: that is, study the whole, then the part, then the whole again. (5) Another sound rule is this: “let scripture interpret scripture” – that is, no part of the Bible can be interpreted in a way that contradicts the message of he whole Bible (although that is a characteristic fault of many cults). (a) Do you know other examples of scriptures plucked out of context, and being used to support false ideas? (6) Each promise is powerful only in its proper time and place; each promise is conditioned by its own environment, the people to whom it was first spoken; etc.

19. Hermeneutics OTHER (1) Each scripture must be compared with other scriptures – no text can properly be used in isolation from the testimony of the whole Bible. (2) Specifically, two principles must be remembered – (a) The whole Bible is unified around Christ (Lu 24:27; Re 19:10); it speaks a single theme. (b) The principle of progressive revelation must be recognised, for many early ideas are supplanted or changed by later teaching: there is ethical and spiritual development as the biblical revelation unfolds – (i) Thus the personal (as distinct from national) Fatherhood of God was unknown until it was taught by Jesus; likewise, the admission of gentiles to the covenant was a startling new idea to the Jews; etc.

20. Hermeneutics (ii) Cp. Mt 5:38-40 with Ro 13:1-5. (iii) Cp. Mt 5:29-30 with Cl 3:5-10. (iv) Cp. Pr 18:16; 19:6; 21:14; etc, which in the original Hebrew text encourage bribery. See also Pr 17:8; Ec 7:7b. Why do we reject such counsel? but cp. Pr 15:27; 17:23; Ex 23:8; Dt 16:18-19; 27:25; 28:21. (v) Hence the gospel must interpret the law; and the letters must interpret the gospel; and so on. (3) Two essential tools for relating together various passages are a word concordance and a topical concordance.

21. Hermeneutics MEANING (1) There are four levels of meaning in any biblical passage – (a) the meaning intended by the original author. (b) the meaning the author’s words gain from the larger context of scripture (some of which may not yet have been written) (c) the spiritual reality implied by the passage (cp. 2 Kg 6:16-17) (d) the meaning intended for you by the Holy Spirit at the time you

22. Hermeneutics (2) The passage has not been properly understood until all four of those levels have been mastered. (3) A good place to start is by doing word studies – (a) Use a good English dictionary, plus Hebrew and Greek word books. (b) But remember that words have different meanings in different contexts: such as prose, poetry, colloquial speech, formal speech, parable, proverbs, similes, songs, stories, etc (c)Metaphors especially must be treated with care

23. Hermeneutics (4)Words can be studied (a)Etymologically that is, in their root meaning (b)Comparatively note the various ways words are used in scripture; such as the flexible NT use of “law” and “flesh”; etc. (c)Theologically e.g., the usage of such words as agape and hades, which take on a special meaning in the NT, often distinct from their use in the secular world.

24. Hermeneutics BACKGROUND That is, what did the passage mean to the original author and reader; what is its historical and cultural setting; and so on – note that the original intention of the writer is the only valid starting point for all interpretation, and it must remain the check point of all other levels of interpretation Bible dictionaries and commentaries should be used for serious Bible study. 

25. Hermeneutics How to Read the Pentateuch – preparing the way for Jesus • God gave the Israelites over 600 commandments - contained in the first five books (Pentateuch) • The “books of the law” Josh 1:8 • Christians reading them need to realise certain things.

26. Hermeneutics How to Read the Pentateuch – preparing the way for Jesus • The law was given as a covenant to specific people – Israel Deut 4:8; 5:1-3; Ex 24:7; Matt 5:18 • The law was given for a specific time – from Sinai to Jesus. Heb 8:13 • The law was given for specific purpose Gal 3:19, 23-25. It was given to separate Israel as the chosen people and set a boundary around them until the ‘seed’ came

27. Hermeneutics How to Read the Pentateuch But there is a greater purpose for all – both Jew and Gentile • That we might know what God is like • That we might know what we are like – a measurement of how good we are not. See Rom 5:20 and Gal 3:24

28. Hermeneutics How to Read the Pentateuch So in our reading of the book of the Law remember • God did not give us this law for us to keep • He does want us to use it to know what He is like • We see our need for salvation as we read it • We see our Saviour prefigured in may ways • Always remember Christ is not our teacher to bring us to the law but the law is our teacher to bring us to Christ

29. Hermeneutics Old Testament Narratives – God at Work Narrative is the most common type of Biblical literature – Gen, Josh, Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chron, Ezra, Neh, Esther, Daniel, Jonah, Haggai and large portions of other books. (40% of the OT) Fee & Stuart Bible narratives tell us about things that happened ... Their purpose is to show God at work in His creation and among His people .... The OT stories have plots that are part of an overall plot, and have a special cast of characters, the most special of whom is God Himself.

30. Hermeneutics Old Testament Narratives – God at Work • Three layers of activity • Never lose sight of God’s overall purpose – salvation through Christ • God’s calling of Israel as His special people, from Gen 12 to the end they are central • Observe human nature as it is revealed in many different facets in countless individuals

31. Hermeneutics Old Testament Narratives – God at Work Important – • See how each layer relates to the other two • Read first from the divine perspective • Like parables, narrative illustrate truths taught elsewhere in Scripture • Narrative tell it like it happened. But God is the hero not man Gen 39:21,23; 1 Cor 1:26-29 Gen 50: 19, 20 • Always look for the clear meaning, don’t read into it what isn’t there

32. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book Hebrew titles used Tehillim – Praise (to God for His kindness and deliverence Tephilloth – Prayers ( to God in the midst of need) Revelations of truth in terms of human experience, full of human emotions, desires and sufferings. Giving strength and encouragement to us in our daily lives.

33. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • These are not so much words from God • The Bible also contains words spoken to God and about God The Psalms are such words • How then do we interpret and use them? • As opportunities to speak to God in words He inspired others to speak to Him in times past • This is how Israel used them

34. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Like all Hebrew poetry Psalms address the human mind through the emotions • Their musical qualities underline their appeal to the emotions • Communicating truth by stimulating the feelings

35. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Seven Categories of Psalms • Lament – the largest group. Include individual (Ps 3, 22, 31, 39, 42, ..) and corporate (Ps 12, 44, 80, 94, 137) • Thanksgiving – (cp Jas 5:13) this the proper response to God for his blessings. There are community thanksgiving (Ps 65, 67, 75, 107, 124, 136) and ten individual (Ps 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 92, 116, 118, 138)

36. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Seven Categories of Psalms • Hymns of Praise for His greatness and goodness, as Creator (Ps 8), as Carer (Ps 66, 100, 111, 114) as Lord of history (Ps 33, 103, 113, 117, 145-147) • Psalms of Salvation, especially in the Exodus 9Ps 78, 105, 106, 135, 136)

37. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Seven Categories of Psalms • Messianic Psalms of Celebration and Affirmation, focused on the David’s covenant, Messiah and their covenant (Ps 2, 18, 20, 21, 24, 47, 50, 72, 81, 89, etc) • Wisdom Psalms extolling the value of wisdom (Ps 36, 37, 49, 73, 112, 127, 128, 133) • Psalms of Faith encouraging confidence in God even in difficult times (Ps 11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 63, 121, 125, 131)

38. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Imprecatory Psalms • The whole range of human emotions can be found in Psalms - deep anguish (Ps 88:3-9) to ecstatic joy (Ps 98) • Some include extreme negative emotions, revealing hatred and bitterness to those who have wronged them. Even to the extent of desiring them harm of enemies. • How do these line up with Christian teaching?

39. Hermeneutics The Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book • Imprecatory Psalms • First they teach transparency in our emotions before God • Second they teach us how to deal with our negative emotions by expressing the to God and so avoid unleashing them toward others

40. Hermeneutics The Wisdom Books-Learning from Life • Three books make up this category – Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes • Wisdom is simply the right application of knowledge • Knowledge is the acquisition of knowledge • Wisdom is the application of knowledge • Folly (wisdoms contrast) is not a lack of learning but failure to apply what has been learned

41. Hermeneutics The Wisdom Books-Learning from Life • To be wise is discipline ourselves in the art of applying truth to our lives in the light of experience • Only wisdom founded in the fear of the Lord will bring true, godly success (Prov 9:10) • This insures more than just temporal success (Ecc 12:13)

42. Hermeneutics The Wisdom Books-Learning from Life Certain Literary styles are employed as aid to memory – • Parallelism • Antithetic – using contrast – Prov 10:1, 17; 11:1; Job 36:11-12) • Synonymous – using repetition – Job 38:8, 36; Prov 7:4 • Acrostics – Prov 31:10-31 • Alliteration – Ecc 3:1-8 • Numerical sequences – Prov 30:15-31

43. Hermeneutics Ecclesiastes • To understand remember its purpose is to investigate “life under the sun” • Trying to find the reason for living in this life alone • Leads to cynicism – the Teacher • Contrast with “God has set eternity in our hearts” Ecc 3:11 • Only God can fulfil our reason for existence

44. Hermeneutics Job • The bulk of it is dialogue • The advising friends of Job are neither good or godly. In the end God rebukes them (42:7) • See quote pg 23

45. Hermeneutics Proverbs • Common sense isn’t so common • Proverbs purpose is to provide practical advice for living – in exaggeration fashion • Promise or probability? Pr 15:25 & 29:12

46. Hermeneutics The Prophets – is God talking to me? • The largest group of books- 17 in all • Prophet – forth telling and fore telling • Calling the people back to God’s law and covenants – as written • Warning of consequences to wilful disobedience • Moses gave the Law, the prophet enforced the law

47. Hermeneutics The Prophets – is God talking to me? Context is critical to understand the prophets – When did they speak? What were the circumstances? Three main time frames – • Pre-captivity warning of consequences of Israel’s continued rebellion • Captivity, ministering to the exiles • Post-captivity – exhorting the returned remnant

48. Hermeneutics The Prophets – is God talking to me? Prophets also spoke to other nations or about other nations They also speak of the first and second advent of the messiah and of predictions of the age and the new one to come.

49. Hermeneutics The Prophets – is God talking to me? • Bible commentaries and dictionaries are very useful when exegeting the prophets • We can safely apply much of the prophets to life today (hermenutics) • God’s desires for his people Israel are often applicable to the believer and church

50. Hermeneutics The Prophets – is God talking to me? • The twin truths of orthodoxy and orthopraxy are emphasised throughout the prophets • Orthodoxy – correct belief • Orthopraxy – correct living • Also in the NT (Lu 6:46; Eph 2:8-10; Tit 1:16, 3:8; Jas 1:27; 2:18)