Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

“Herman Who?”

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

competent, equipped for every good work.”

— 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What is hermeneutics?

• General hermeneutics: the interpretation of writings in general.

• Special hermeneutics: the interpretation of specific kinds of literature--laws, history, poetry, prophecy, etc.

• Hermeneutica Sacra: the interpretation of the bible as the inspired Word of God.

What is hermeneutics?

• General hermeneutics: the interpretation of writings in general.

• Special hermeneutics: the interpretation of specific kinds of literature--laws, history, poetry, prophecy, etc.

• Hermeneutica Sacra: the interpretation of the bible as the inspired Word of God.

What is hermeneutics?

“Hermeneutics is the science and art of interpretation. Science because it follows

certain rules. Art because it is a skill that one develops with practice.”

—Tony Merida

What is hermeneutics?

“Hermeneutics immediately precedes exegesis. Hermeneutics and exegesis are

related to each other as theory and practice. One is a science, the other an art.”

— Louis Berkhoff

Preparing the Interpreter

What is the end goal?

What is the end goal of bible study?

What is the end goal?

What is the end goal of bible study?

Changed lives.

Why don’t we study our bibles?

• They don’t see the bible as relevant.

• They don’t have a proper technique.

• They don’t believe they’re qualified.

• They haven’t made bible study a priority.

• They don’t believe the bible is reliable.

Why study the bible?

• Bible study is essential to growth.

• Bible study is essential for spiritual maturity.

• Bible study is essential for spiritual effectiveness.

Why do I need a method for studying my bible?

1. Our human nature

The bible is supernatural in character and natural in character.

• Sin has darkened our ability to understand and trust the Word of God.

• Brothers and sisters in Christ come from different cultures, backgrounds, and levels of education.

2. Bridging the “gaps”

There are several “gaps” between us and the bible:

• The historical gap

• The cultural gap

• The philosophical gap

• The linguistic gap

The Hermeneutical Triangle

Key Principles for Biblical Hermeneutics

Key principles for biblical hermeneutics

• Literal interpretation. The expositor must interpret the text at face value, interpreting the text according to the style and form that the author intended.

• A text-driven hermeneutic. The expositor’s job is to understand what the text says, what it doesn’t say, and what it implies.

Key principles for biblical hermeneutics

• Authorial intent. The expositor must understand what the original author intended for a text to mean. "A text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or his or her readers."

• Context is king. The expositor must consider the context of the verse, the paragraph, the chapter, the book, and the whole of Scripture. “No text is to be interpreted out of its immediate context.” - Danny Akin

Key principles for biblical hermeneutics

• Scripture interprets scripture. The expositor must interpret difficult passages in the light of the rest of the bible. The bible, being inerrant, does not contradict itself. Never form a doctrine based on a single verse.

• One meaning, many applications. The expositor must be aware that a text has exactly one meaning, but that text can have many applications.

Next week: “Where did our bible come from?”

Text, Canon, and Translation