2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be...

HERMENEUTICS

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.

HermeneuticsHermeneutics – 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

HermeneuticsBiblical 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

Hermeneutics

Send Receive

Communication

Communicator Communicatee

Hermeneutics

SENDER

Frame of Reference

RECEIVER

Frame of Reference

Idea Idea Wrong Idea

Encode Decode Un-decoded

Understanding Gap

RECEIVER

Frame of Reference

Hermeneutics

0 GOD MAN

Frame of ReferenceFiniteTemporalLimited

Frame of ReferenceInfiniteEternal

Omniscient

Sender Receiver

Revelation

Truth

Human Writers

Inspiration Exegesis

Illumination

Truth

Theology

Bridging the Understanding

Gap

HermeneuticsAnd Other Biblical Sciences1. Canonology – standards of Divine inspiration

2. Historical Criticism – date, authorship, historical circumstances, authenticity and unity of the books

3. Textual Criticism – accuracy of the wording to the original wording of the inspired text

4. Hermeneutics – principles of interpretation

5. Exegesis – the process of interpretation

6. Biblical Theology – compilation, categorising and summarising of Biblical doctrine. Formulates conclusions by considering all the Scripture relative to a topic

HermeneuticsInterpreters 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

HermeneuticsQualifications of Biblical Interpreters1. Born of the Spirit and the Word John 3:1-12; 1 Peter 1:23

2. Hunger for the Word Job 23:12; Ps 119:47; Jer 15:16

3. Attitude of Humility Acts 13:27; Phil 2:3; Acts 20:19; 1 Pe 5:5; James 1:21

4. Reverence and respect for the Word Ps 119:6

5. Accept the Inspiration of Scripture 2Tim 3:16; 2 Pe 1:21

HermeneuticsQualifications of Biblical Interpreters6. Approach the Word with Faith Heb 11:3; Matt 13:10-17;

Isa 6:9-10

7. Needs a Renewed Mind Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23; 1 Cor 2:14-16; Rom 8:5-7; Phil 2:2-3

8. Dependency on the Spirit’s illumination 1 Cor 2:7-16

9. Meditation on the Word Ps 1:2; Josh 1:8; Ps 119:48, 78, 148

10. Intellectually Honest 2 Cor 4:2; 2 Peter 3:15-16

HermeneuticsQualifications of Biblical Interpreters11. Recognition of the unity of Spirit and Word 1 John 4:1-6;

5:7-8

12. Recognition of the progressive revelation of Scripture

13. Understands the relationship between the OT and NT Jer 31:31-34

14. Diligent in use of study resources 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 2:15

15. Possesses a sound mind 2 Tim 1:7

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.

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.

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.

Hermeneutics The 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.

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.

Hermeneutics(3) Every passage must be understood

within the frameworkfirst, 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.

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.

HermeneuticsOTHER(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.

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.

HermeneuticsMEANING

(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

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

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.

HermeneuticsBACKGROUND

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. 

HermeneuticsHow 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.

HermeneuticsHow to Read the Pentateuch – preparing the way for Jesus

1. The law was given as a covenant to specific people – Israel Deut 4:8; 5:1-3; Ex 24:7; Matt 5:18

2. The law was given for a specific time – from Sinai to Jesus. Heb 8:13

3. 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

HermeneuticsHow to Read the Pentateuch

But there is a greater purpose for all – both Jew and Gentile

1. That we might know what God is like

2. That we might know what we are like – a measurement of how good we are not. See Rom 5:20 and Gal 3:24

HermeneuticsHow to Read the PentateuchSo 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

HermeneuticsOld Testament Narratives – God at WorkNarrative 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 & StuartBible 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.

HermeneuticsOld Testament Narratives – God at Work Three layers of activity

1. Never lose sight of God’s overall purpose – salvation through Christ

2. God’s calling of Israel as His special people, from Gen 12 to the end they are central

3. Observe human nature as it is revealed in many different facets in countless individuals

HermeneuticsOld 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

HermeneuticsThe Psalms – our Prayer and Praise Book

Hebrew titles usedTehillim – 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.

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe 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)

HermeneuticsThe 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)

HermeneuticsThe 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)

HermeneuticsThe 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?

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe Wisdom Books-Learning from Life Three books make up this category – Job,

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Wisdom is simply the right application of

knowledgeKnowledge is the acquisition of knowledgeWisdom is the application of knowledgeFolly (wisdoms contrast) is not a lack of learning but

failure to apply what has been learned

HermeneuticsThe 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)

HermeneuticsThe Wisdom Books-Learning from LifeCertain 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 31:10-31Alliteration – Ecc 3:1-8Numerical sequences – Prov 30:15-31

HermeneuticsEcclesiastes 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

HermeneuticsJob 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

HermeneuticsProverbs 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

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe 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.

HermeneuticsThe 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

HermeneuticsThe Prophets – is God talking to me? The twin truths of orthodoxy and orthopraxy

are emphasised throughout the prophetsOrthodoxy – correct beliefOrthopraxy – correct living

Also in the NT (Lu 6:46; Eph 2:8-10; Tit 1:16, 3:8; Jas 1:27; 2:18)

HermeneuticsRevelation“the playground of religious eccentrics” William BarclayCalvin wrote a commentary on every book in the Bible except Revelation.Too difficult to understand – its very name means unveiled With so many emotive viewpoints we often struggle and put it into the “too hard” basket

HermeneuticsRevelationHow do we deal with it?

What type of book is it?A Letter (Rev 1:4)

and

Prophecy (Rev 1:3)

This creates some pathways for interpretation

HermeneuticsRevelation A letter – we must the ask “what does this book

mean to those who received it?” Written by John, during the reign of Emperor

Domitian, about 95 AD Demand of public worship of the emperor led to the

persecution of the Christians – public humiliation, economic boycott, imprisonment, exile and death

HermeneuticsRevelation John, living Ephesus, is the only one left of

the original eleven, even Mary died John is arrested and exiled to the island of

Patmos – a 10 by 5 mile, rocky island in the Aegean sea.

There he receives the revelation – God’s answer to the reign of terror

HermeneuticsRevelation His message is to the seven churches of Asia and has a

twofold purpose

1. To encourage faithfulness in the midst of suffering, false teaching, worldly temptation (14:11-12; 21:7-8; 22)

2. To remind the church of the age-long conflict between Christ’s kingdom and the kingdoms of the world, controlled by Satan. In the midst of the battle Christ holds the churches in his hand (1:17-20)

HermeneuticsRevelation

Prophecy, indeed apocalyptic prophecy Not just highlighting Gods activity in history but

announcing the violent end of history through judgement of sin and rebellion against God

All Christians were aware they were living in the end times (Acts 2:17) but Revelation explains the climax of the Second Coming, the overthrow of Satan and the exaltation of Christ

HermeneuticsRevelation

The conclusion of the Bible – Beginning in the creation heaven and earth Revelation

closes with a new heaven and earth Eden’s river returns as the river of life that flows from the

throne of God The tree of life is made available to the redeemed The curse brought on the earth by mad is removed Man banished from God’s presence at Eden is fully restored

to Him

HermeneuticsRevelationUnderstanding Revelation – keep the main

point before you at all times!

But what of the details? Especially the extensive symbolism?

HermeneuticsRevelation

Keys – Get a feel for the book - read it through in a sittingRevelation – drawing aside the veil – not of

revelation but a revelation of Christ, his kingdom, judgements, reign etc ○ Jesus as faithful witness, Lord of the church, the

Lamb upon the throne, the tree of life etc.○ The victorious battle with Satan’s kingdom

HermeneuticsRevelation

The outline of 1:19-20○ The things you have seen (chap 1)○ The things which are (chap 2-3)○ The things which will take place after this (chap 4-22)

The symbols (1:1) that contain lessons○ Symbols explained by their context (12:9)○ Those explained elsewhere in scripture ○ Those with no apparent interpretation (11: 1-10) which we

must seek

HermeneuticsRevelation

The Bible is the best commentary on Revelation.○ It alludes constantly to the OT○ Of 404 verses 278 either quote from or allude

to the OT

HermeneuticsRevelation