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Processes of Interpretation

1. Processes of Interpretation. I. Hermeneutics. II. Preparation. III. Investigation. IV. Application. ~Ermh/ j. Hermeneutics “the study of meaning”. Older Tendencies. Recent Tendencies. General and Biblical. The study of rules for interpreting meaning.

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Processes of Interpretation

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  1. 1 Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation III. Investigation IV. Application

  2. ~Ermh/j Hermeneutics “the study of meaning” Older Tendencies Recent Tendencies General and Biblical The study of rules for interpreting meaning The study of all influences on the processes of interpreting meaning Definition of Hermeneutics (1.1)

  3. Investigation Exploration of Original Meaning Illumination by Holy Spirit Constant Interdependence Contemporary Appropriation of Text Physical, Cultural, Spiritual Preparations for Interpretation Hermeneutical Spiral of Repeated Encounters Between Text and Reader Moving toward Better Understanding Preparation Application Hermeneutical Spiral (1.2)

  4. 1 Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation III. Investigation IV. Application

  5. Preparation Interpreters must prepare by learning guidelines and developing skills that enable them to be objective observers of a text’s meaning. Objectivist Hermeneutic Objective readers let the text speak for itself. Objectivist Preparation (1.3)

  6. Preparation Interpreters must prepare by learning about themselves and by being ready to express their own outlooks in interpretation. Subjectivist Hermeneutic Subjective readers give meaning to texts from their own beliefs. Subjectivist Preparation (1.4)

  7. Preparation Preparation Interpreters must learn methods that acknowledge a text’s communicative power. Interpreters must be more aware and responsible with their predispositions. Authority-Dialogue Hermeneutic Readers always bring enabling and disabling predispositions to texts. Readers genuinely seek to listen to texts as authoritative. Authority-Dialogue Prep. (1.5)

  8. 1 Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation III. Investigation IV. Application

  9. More Responsible Practice: “due use of ordinary means” (WCF 1.7) Sensus Literalis 2 Pet 3:15-16 Luke 1:3 Gal. 1:2 John 1:38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, To the churches in Galatia: 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand. Matt 22:43-45 Common Practice: Treat Bible as Timeless 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 44 "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' 45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?“ Why the Writer? Organic Inspiration (e.g. Matt 22:43-44; 2 Pet 3:15-16) Why the Audience? Divine Accommodation (e.g. Gal 1:2; Luke 1:3; Jhn 1:38) Original Historical Context Writer Document Audience Importance of Investigation (1.6)

  10. Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Contemporary World Contemporary World Ancient World of OT and NT How can we hope to understand the original meaning? Great Differences In Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion Challenge of Investigation (1.7)

  11. Same Kind of People Same World Image of God (Gen 1:27; 9:6) Fallen in Sin (Rom 3:9-18; 1 Cor 11:7) Divided between Lost and Redeemed (Col 3:10) Historical Background of Current Events (Josh 1:1-12:24) Analogous Circumstances (Exod 19:1-24:18; 1 Chr 29:1-9) Same World Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Same Kind of People Same God Divine Immutability in Character, Counsel, Covenant Did You Realize? The distance of a text not only makes it difficult to understand, but also enhances its ability to change us. Contemporary World Contemporary World Contemporary World Contemporary World Contemporary World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Same World Same World Same God Same God Adequate Investigation of Original Meaning is Possible. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Heb 1:11-12; cf. Ps 102:25-27) . . . the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. (Heb 6:17) Possibility of Investigation (1.8)

  12. 1 Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation III. Investigation IV. Application

  13. Writer Document Audience Matt 5:17-19 1 Cor. 10:11 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. Contemporary World Ancient World of OT and NT Divine Design of Future Applicability Necessity of Application (1.9)

  14. Writer Document Audience Contemporary World How can we hope to apply Scripture to our day? Great Differences in Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion Challenge of Application (1.10)

  15. Through these connections and adjustments, we can adequately apply the Scriptures to our day. Writer Document Audience Writer Document Audience Cultural Adjustments Although the Scriptures apply to all places and times, we must account for cultural variations when applying Scripture. Epochal Adjustments Personal Adjustments Although God is immutable, in application we must account for the fact that his providential care for the world varied from epoch to epoch in Redemptive History. Although the Scriptures apply to all people, we must account for the variations among individuals and groups of people as We apply the Scriptures. O R G R E S S M D E O O R E P Epochal Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Personal Adjustments Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Same World Same World Same God Same God Epochal Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Personal Adjustments Possibility for Application (1.11)

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