The Basic Principles of Hermeneutics (PDF)

“THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS” (The Art & Science of Biblical Interpretation) 1 of 4 SECULAR PRINCIPLES – Guidelines which set the boundaries for interpreting all historical documents (including scripture). --------------------------...

“THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS” (The Art & Science of Biblical Interpretation) 1 of 4 SECULAR PRINCIPLES – Guidelines which set the boundaries for interpreting all historical documents (including scripture). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Interpret according to the Purpose and Plan of the Author: A. The purpose is the writer's objective. 1) What did he want his original readers to know? 2) What did he want to persuade his original readers to do? B. The plan is the structure and development of the author's thought (i.e., the outline of the document). How can we discover this? 2. Interpret according to the Context of the Passage, Chapter, or Document as a Whole:* A. In literature, context is define as, "the part or parts of a written passage preceding or following a particular word or group of words and so intimately associated with them as to throw light upon their meaning." B. Look for the author's thought unit. (i.e., a paragraph) C. Avoid interpreting words or phrases in isolation. Remember: Context is KING! 3. Interpret according to the Grammar of the Text: A. The translated historical document must be understood within the accepted rules of grammar (i.e., parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, etc.) e.g., Rev.5:1. 4. Interpret according to the Correct Meaning of Each Word: A. The test of the meaning of a word is the author's usage. 1) First, look for it in other places within the document, and see how it is used. 2) Next, look for it in the same author’s other writings (e.g., other books of the Bible). 3) Finally, look for it in other authors’ work during that same era (e.g., O.T. or N.T.). B. The cultural and historical meaning must be determined: a “Lexicon” is a very useful tool. 5. Interpret according to the Historical, Cultural, and Geographical Background: * A. The first and primary meaning of a passage is what it meant in its historical and cultural context. (In other words, what did it mean to the original recipients?) B. Look for anything you can learn about the original readers: the time and circumstances of the writing; the manners and customs of the people; and the geographical and features of the land. 6. Interpret according to the Clarity of the Passage: A. An obscure passage(s) must always give way to clear ones. 7. Interpret Recognizing that Historical Documents sometimes use “Figure of Speech”: A. See handout. Maranatha Bible College – (216) 291-7292 – www.maranatha-college.org –Instructor: Elijah J. Span  “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS” (The Art & Science of Biblical Interpretation) 2 of 4 * - To be covered in greater detail, in 202, next quarter. Maranatha Bible College – (216) 291-7292 – www.maranatha-college.org –Instructor: Elijah J. Span  “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS” (The Art & Science of Biblical Interpretation) 3 of 4 BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES – Guidelines which set the boundaries for interpreting scripture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Interpret recognizing the Bible's Teaching as a Whole: A. Allow the Bible to interpret itself (i.e., John 3:5,6; Matthew 19:23-26). B. Know the key themes of the Bible (i.e., the love of God, Grace, Election, God’s hatred of sin, etc.). C. Understand that God’s revelation to humanity is progressive. D. Appreciate the fact that the Bible does not contradict itself (John 17:17). 2. Interpret recognizing the “Important Divisions” of the Bible: A. The arrangement of the Bible is logical (there is a plan and purpose behind it); understanding this arrangement and where a given book is located chronologically within Israel’s history will assist you in seeing the BIG picture and understanding how the smaller pieces fit together and relate to one another. B. All divisions cannot be interpreted in the same way because they contain different purposes of the author; historical, cultural, and geographical contexts; literary forms; and covenants. This will demand that different strategies be applied to properly interpret the passage in question. 3. Interpret recognizing the “Various Covenants” of the Bible: A. Under each covenant, God had different expectation for His people. B. Under each covenant, God's people were exposed to a different level of His revelation. 4. Interpret recognizing the various “Literary Forms” of the Bible: A. The purpose of the author is different in each of the four (4) Literary Forms (e.g., Didactic, Narrative, Poetic, and Prophetic), so the way in which Biblical truth is revealed is also different; for this reason, there is a different hermeneutical strategy for each of the four (4) Literary Forms. 5. Interpret recognizing the Bible uses “Phenomenal Language” and “Approximates”: A. This simply means, it often describes things as they appear rather than in precise scientific terms. (i.e., the rising of the sun – Psalm 113:3; the sun stood still – Joshua 10:13) B. This simply means, in quoting an amount, it often rounds off. (Exodus 12:37; 2 Kings 19:35) 6. Interpret recognizing the Bible uses “Hyperbolas” (the plural form of Hyperbole): A. This simply means, statements are sometimes made as an intentionally exaggerated to make a point. (i.e., a camel going through the eye of a needle – Matthew 19:24) 7. Interpret recognizing the Bible gives different Weight to various Doctrines: A. Doctrines must be given the same importance that the scriptures give it (i.e., the amount of ink, ascending/descending order, superceding covenants, etc.) e.g., soteriology -vs.- eschatology. 8. Interpret recognizing the Biblical “Focus”: Maranatha Bible College – (216) 291-7292 – www.maranatha-college.org –Instructor: Elijah J. Span  “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS” (The Art & Science of Biblical Interpretation) 4 of 4 A. There are two (2) “Focuses” relating to Biblical truth: Local and Timeless. A Local Focus is a principle intended for a specific time, people, and purpose. (i.e., the O.T. sacrificial system), and a Timeless Focus is a principle that is timeless in nature (i.e., God’s love for Mankind). Maranatha Bible College – (216) 291-7292 – www.maranatha-college.org –Instructor: Elijah J. Span