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The
Nearly Perfect Paper
An Example of the
The
Nearly Perfect Paper
Name:
Larry N. Fulton
Date:
August 16, 1998
Course #: AM-2013
Course Name: Introduction to Biblical
Hermeneutics
Home Phone: 602-249-6727
Freedom Bible College and Seminary
P.O. Box 1060
Rogers, Arkansas
72757-1060
Chapter #: Part 1 Chapter
1
Chapter Name: Who Needs Hermeneutics Anyway?
Hermeneutics is the study of the principles
of interpreting the written word. Some call it an art form and others
refer to it as a science. It makes sense then that biblical hermeneutics
is devoted to the use of these precepts in interpreting the Bible.
The Bible is unlike any other book ever written. Because the Bible
has been inspired by God and at the same time written by man, hermeneutical
skills are needed in an attempt to more fully understand the purpose of
the text.1 The goal of the
modern interpreter is to understand the original author's intended message.2
(derived from pages 15-16)
We process many pieces of writing each day,
using hermeneutical skills. Generally, we are totally unaware that
we are even doing it. We must attempt to understand the meaning contained
in letters that we read from friends or family, memorandums at work, notices
from a city utility company. Typically, we have enough contextual
knowledge of our friends and family and work environment that we can make
sound decisions as to the meaning of the writing. Even if they have
omitted some piece of information in the writing, it is generally because
the author realizes that we, as the intended reader, know enough of the
situation to supply that information internally. We are also generally
fluent in the language in which they write the documents. So we are
using hermeneutic skills without even being aware of them. As we
grow, we learn to analyze the language and context of a document to help
us in reaching a conclusion regarding its meaning and purpose. (derived
from pages 17-18)
This is typically not true when reading the
Bible. The vast majority of Bible readers are not proficient in
its original languages, Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. Neither are they
educated regarding the history of the author and the intended readers.
These two areas bring a great deal of trouble when attempting to interpret
the meaning of Scripture. Biblical scholars use the term exegesis
to describe the act of interpreting a text using careful, detailed analysis.
Using this definition and applying it to mean the careful study of the
language and history of the Bible leading to an accurate understanding
of the Scripture is termed grammatico-historical exegesis.
We must pay attention both to the language in which they originally wrote
the text
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1. Maas, A.J., Transcribed by
Janet Grayson, Catholic Encyclopedia: Hermeneutics (copyright Encyclopedia
Press, Inc., 1913), (Electronic version copyright New Advent, Inc., 1996).
11 September 1998.
<http://www.knight.org/advent/cathen/07271a.htm>
2. DeLashmutt, G. and McCallum,
D., Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutics. 24 August 1998.
<http://www.xenos.org/classes/homiletics/gramherm.htm> |
| and to the context surrounding the writing
(i.e., the history of events leading up to the writing from both the author's
and the reader's points of view). (derived from pages 19-20)
The Bible is typically a very articulate and
easily understood book. When we arrive at passages that are difficult
to understand, we must ask questions and consider the different elements
that went into the text. Among the elements we must consider are
the language, the historical setting, the teaching of the passage, the
historicity of the passage, the literary setting, the canonical context,
the history of interpretation and present significance.3
Let's look at each of these elements in order. Looking at the language
used in a passage makes us ask if we understand each word as written in
the original language. Is there consistency in the interpretations
of that word into the language in which it is being read? The historical
setting is the physical setting of the passage. We must attempt to
learn the geographical setting in which the event was recorded in order
to help explain its meaning. The teaching of a passage suggests its meaning.
For what purpose did the Holy Spirit cause a man to write this passage?
What lesson does it imply or contain? The historicity of the passage
relates to its place in history concerning its accuracy. This involves
the analysis of how other passages agree or disagree with what this portion
of text says and how do other passages help us understand this portion.
Literary setting, not to be confused with the historical setting, also
involves the setting of the passage. This is not the culture, geography,
etc., but instead focuses upon the people, place and events recorded in
the text. The canonical context looks at how this passage fits into
the teachings of the same topic or subject within the entire Bible.
Considering the history of interpretation looks outside the Bible and to
scholars through the ages. By seeing what different interpretations
this passage has had through the years, we are more able to see what presuppositions
we may carry with us into the interpretation. Present significance
is the manner in which the interpreter applies the teachings of the text
in today's society. We can see that because of the many different
elements and levels that we must take into consideration when interpreting
the Bible4, many levels of understanding
may become apparent. Still, more of God's Truth will remain hidden
from our understanding. (derived from pages 20-22)
A few more points of emphasis must be taken
into consideration when attempting to analyze and interpret the Bible.
We call these "biblical hermeneutics" because of the special need for their
use when interpreting the Bible. They include: 1) the foundational
belief that only the Spirit of God can know and understand the things of
God. Therefore, would-be interpreters need the Spirit of God to be
able to gain a complete Biblical understanding of the text, 2) God's truth
is for all believers to share. With the Holy Spirit as a witness
and teacher, the believer does not need additional "truths" or "corrections"
added to God's Word, 3) God's message and His truths are unchanging and
4) the only attitude that is acceptable in someone who truly wants to learn
God's will in the Bible is of humility and submission. The interpreter
must come to God with an earnest desire to find Him, learn and follow God's
will.
(derived from pages 23-24)
_____________________
3. DeLashmutt, G. and McCallum,
D., Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutics class (Xenos Christian Fellowship,
Columbus, Ohio). 24 August 1998.
<http://www.xenos.org/classes/homiletics/gramherm.htm>
4. Leffel, Jim, Basic Christianity
class (Xenos Christian Fellowship, Columbus, Ohio).
11 September 1998.
<http://www.xenos.org/classes/bcweek4.htm> |
Chapter #: Part 1 Chapter 2
Chapter Name: The Meaning of Meaning
A major change in hermeneutics occurred in
1946 when two literary critics formulated three types of evidence for the
meaning of a text. This was in response to the idea that a text meant
whatever the author wanted it to mean. Later, in 1960, Hans-Georg
Gadamer published a book that attempted to show that the truth of a document
could not rest upon the reader's interpretation...
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