HermeneuticHermeneutics:s:

The Art and Science of The Art and Science of Biblical InterpretationBiblical Interpretation

Comunicación y Gerencia

Hey, wait a minute! Hey, wait a minute! I thought they were “unschooled, I thought they were “unschooled,

ordinary” men?ordinary” men?

Click to add TextClick to add Text

So what is Hermeneutics?So what is Hermeneutics?• It is the study of the principals that pertain to the proper interpretation of scripture

• Hermeneutics is the fancy word that answers the question: What does the Bible mean by what is says?

1 Timothy 4:13 (HCSB) Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

• Command Read the text, Explain the Text (Doctrine), Apply the Text (Exhortation)

Errors of InterpretationErrors of Interpretation

•"Little Bo Peep" Preaching

1. Don't Force the Bible to fit the Sermon

• There was a cartoon of a preacher praying with this caption, “God give me a scripture to go with this great joke I have.”

2. Avoid Superficial Interpretation

Psalm 127:2 (NIV) In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

• So if you are not sleeping well, then…God must not love you.

3. Don't Spiritualize

• Sermon of David's 'Five Stones' vs. David was just prepared

Areas to ConsiderAreas to Consider forfor InterpretationInterpretation

1. The Language

• Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek (http://net.bible.org/home.php)• Key Words (What is the main idea?)

2. Culture

• What did this mean to those who heard it in the 1st Century?

3. Geography

• There is Power in the maps in the Back of the Bible

4. History

• Study Bible (NIV, Life Application, Key Word)

PrincipalsPrincipals forfor InterpretationInterpretation

5. Practical Principle

1. Literal Principle• Means you should understand Scripture in its literal, normal, natural sense.• Galatians 5:19-21

2. Historical Principle• What did it mean to the people to whom it was spoken or written? • It is said that a text without a context (historically) is a pretext

3. Grammatical Principle• Matthew 28:18-20

4. Synthesis Principle• Law of First Mention

• Example, “Worship”

• YBH? – Yeah, but how?