Hermeneutics: Interpreting the Bible

Hermeneutics

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Third Edition) Chapter 1: The Need for Interpretation

Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures. The word derives from the Greek verb hermēneuō that means “to explain, interpret or to translate,” while the noun hermēneia means “interpretation” or “translation.”

Why Is interpretation of the Bible Important?

Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning Chapter 1: Who Needs Hermeneutics Anyway? (Moisés Silva)

It turns out, in fact, that we need hermeneutics, not precisely because the Bible is a divine book, but because in addition to being divine, it is a human book.

"That outfit is straight fire — lowkey obsessed. You really ate and left no crumbs. Fr, you're giving main character energy today."

What would happen if I tried to interpret this passage in a literal way without an understanding of Gen-Z lingo?

I might think that you’re saying the food that you ate gave you energy today, and that your clothes caught on fire, and Joey Johnson had to come to the school and put the fire out.

Just like Gen-Z has a unique way of talking about things, so the people who wrote what we read as the Bible today!

Does the Holy Spirit help us understand Scripture?

The Holy Spirit Helps us by:

Convincing us the Bible is true

Giving us the ability to apprehend, not comprehend, meaning

Leads to conviction that enables reader to embrace its meaning

Does the Holy Spirit tell people what the Bible means?

The Holy Spirit does not replace the need to interpret biblical passages according to the principles of language communication.

What Is Hermeneutics?

It is an Art and a Science.

It is a science in the sense that we use methods and principles to help us decode and interpret the information.

It is an art because the Bible is communicated through narrative.

Example: Favorite book.

We can apply some literary methods and principles to decode and interpret information about your favorite book.

Also, we can feel the emotion that is conveyed in the pages of a really good book and use that to help understand and relate to what we are reading.

Biblical Interpretation is meant to happen in community.

it doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

Pre-Understanding: The words we read we already have preconceived ideas about which can influence our understanding of the passage.

Meaning of the Message

Locution: What is spoken or written: the words and sentences written.

Illocution: Intention of the speaker or writer has for the words and sentences. “What do the words accomplish?

Perlocution: What does the speaker or writer envision the outcome would be for the listener or reader?

Jesus probably intended that the disciples engage in all manner of good works, not just that they read about them or think about them.

Author and Audience

The Bible is written for us not to us.

The Bible was written to people of another time, for us of our current time to understand and apply to our lives.

Major challenges of interpreting the Bible

Distance of Time

Cultural Distance

Geographical Distance

Distance of Language

Conclusion

Proper hermeneutics is essential for a few key reasons.

To discern God’s message.

To avoid or dispel misconceptions or bad perspectives and conclusions about what the Bible teaches.

To be able to apply the Bible’s message to our lives.