Principles of Interpretation, part 1

Objective

Understand the various principles of sound biblical hermeneutics

Review

What is hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation

it is an art because it involves language

it is a science because it has rules

Hermeneutics is the study of the principles and guidelines for the proper extraction and understanding of the meaning of the biblical text.

why study hermeneutics

we are admonished to study the Scripture

to understand God’s message to the original writers and hearers, and how it applies to God’s people today.

What is the best approach to Hermeneutics

Literal or Normal reading of the Scripture

also called, grammatico-historical interpretation

this approach, every word in the Scripture is given the normal meaning it would have in its normal usage

In this lesson

Foundational Principles of Hermeneutics

the Scripture is God’s revelation

Scripture interprets scripture

the scripture cannot contradict itself

the scripture is a normal book

God’s revelation is progressive

Genres or literary forms used in the Bible

historical narrative

discourse

forthtelling prophecy

foretelling prophecy

wisdom literature

poetry

parable

allegory

legal material

Foundational Principles of Hermeneutics

The Scripture is God’s revelation

God revealed his will to specific individuals

God is speaking to his people through the written word

The Scripture contains and demonstrates God’s attributes

Scripture interprets scripture

the best way to understand the scripture is

The scripture cannot contradict itself

The scripture is a normal book

Genres or Literary Forms in the Bible

Historical Narrative

tells a story

gives evaluative remarks

tells what, how and why something happened

Note -

never assume that what people do in the narrative is what God wants us to do

descriptive truth and

prescriptive truth

Logical Discourse

gives an argument or explanation of truth

appeals directly to the mind in a logical fashion

key words

for, therefore, but

contrast, reasons, conclusions

Forthtelling Prophecy

also, ethical prophecy

gives a direct message from God in which God evaluates to ethical behavior of His people, contains rebuke for sin

Foretelling Prophecy

also, predictive prophecy

future could mean -

future of the author, but past for us

future for us

eschatology

Wisdom Literature

often states things that are typically true, but not always true

Poetry

uses figures of speech

metaphors, simile, hyperbole,

Parable

Legal Material

apodictic law

thou shalt...

thou shalt not...

casuistic law

if, in the case of,