Hermeneutics Introduction and Rationale

Dr. William Cox

Ed.D. Summer 2006 Residency

Purpose

To enable both personal obedience and “faith-learning integration” in professional activities.

Process of Rightly Discerning

1. Exegesis - - careful systematic study to discover the original intended meaning

2. Hermeneutics - - systematic methods of interpretation of text primarily for contemporary application

3. Integration - - the process and product of properly interweaving biblically based teachings and all of life’s events

4. Commitment - - living it!

Two Quick Examples

1. Using the following two biblical teachings, Pat Robertson was able to write The Secret Kingdom book:

a. Jesus and John the Baptist taught that the Kingdom of Heaven was now at hand (e.g., Matt 3:2) and it operated differently than the natural order does (e.g., John 18:36)

b. Biblical statements that are addressed to all readers and that are not restricted by time or recipient usually describe Kingdom operations (e.g., his chapter on the power of unity initiated from Tower of Babel observation that “nothing is impossible to men when they are in unity” - - Gen 11:6)

2. Admiral Matthew Maury initiated charting all the ocean currents based on believing in the truthfulness of Psalm 8:8 - - “the paths of the seas.”

Sample Resources

1. Bible Study Helpsa. Fee, Gordon D. & Stuart, Douglas (1993). How to

read the Bible for all its worth (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. (ISBN: 0310384915).

b. Traina, Robert A. (1980). Methodical Bible Study. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. (ISBN: 0310246024).

c. Virkler, Henry A. (1995). Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker (ISBN: 0801020670).

d. www.crosswalk.com

2. Bibles – Range of interpretations:

Literal Equivalent Free

KJVNASBWuest

RSV NIVNABGNBJB

NEB

Phillips LB

1) The NIV Study Bible: New International Version. (1985). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan (ISBN: 0310907675).

2) Spirit-filled life Bible (NKJV). (1991). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

3) Nelson study Bible (NKJV). (1997). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

4) Wuest, Kenneth S. (1961). The New Testament: An expanded translation. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

My Preferences:

3. References

a. Abingdon’s Strong’s exhaustive concordance of the Bible (1890/1980). Nashville, TN: Abingdon.