Hermeneuo - Greek means to “Interpret”It is the study of sound Bible Interpretation.

It is a Science.It is a Principle.It is an Art.

Introduction: What is Hermeneutics?

Material References:Basic Bible Interpretation:

A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth Roy B Zuck

How to Read the Bible in Changing Times: Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today

Mark Strauss

How to Read the Bible for All Its WorthGordon Fee and Douglas Stuart

Exegetical Fallacies DA Carson

Introduction

Bible as the Word of God It is inspired or “God breathed” (2 Tim 3:16).

Authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura)Over personal experienceOver reasonOver tradition or dogma

Interpreter must be born again and be Spirit-filled. I Cor 2:14

The Clarity of Scripture (Perspicuity)

Our Presuppositions

Week 2: Goals of Hermeneutics & Methods

Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Goals of Hermeneutics

Exegesis

Contextualization

ExegesisDrawing out the author’s original intended

meaning.Opposite of Eisegesis.Similar to Interpretation but more specific.Need to bridge the gaps.

ContextualizationDetermining the contemporary significance. What the text means to our context today.Similar to Application but more specific.Need to bridge the gaps.

Goals of Hermeneutics

Goals of Hermeneutics

1. Allegorical Method2. The Literalistic Method3. The Devotional Method4. Ideological Method5. Grammatical-historical (literary) Method

Hermeneutic Method/Approaches

AllegoricalThe plain or literal reading is a cover for

something deep and hidden.Literal meaning is superficial, the allegorical is

the true meaning. How the Bible was interpreted from 2nd and 3rd

century, through the Middle Ages until the Reformation in 1300’s.

The interpreter of the allegories is the authority.

Hermeneutic Methods/Approaches

LiteralisticEvery word taken literally including figures of

speech and symbolism.Used by cults and extreme fundamentalists.

(Children of God, JW’s, Mormons…etc)Examples:

Mormons- God has a body, eyes, hands...etc.JW- Christ was a created being.Open Theism- God can change His mind.

Hermeneutic Methods/Approaches

The Devotional MethodFocuses exclusively on what is personally

applicable. Ignore the context, historical background and

other interpretive principles. What most Christians unconsciously use today.Can lead to eisegesis and improper application.

Hermeneutic Methods/Approaches

Ideological ApproachThey approach the Bible with specific agenda

and uses the Bible to support their ideology.Examples:

Liberation Theology, Feminist Theology, Health-Wealth Prosperity Theology

Hermeneutic Methods/Approaches

Grammatical-Historical (Literary) MethodBegan in the Reformation.Interpretation required by laws of grammar

and the facts of history.Consider the Bible Grammatical/LiterallyConsider the Bible in the Historical context.Consider the whole of Scripture.

Unified, cohesive and complementary.

Hermeneutic Methods/Approaches