What is Hermeneutics?
The science of hermeneutics is the science of biblical interpretation.
It is the art and science of interpreting the Bible.
What does it mean that hermeneutics is both a science and an art?
Hermeneutics is a science because there are rules for correct interpretation.
It is an art because…
What are some reasons studying hermeneutics is important for Christians?
- God’s word is our very life.
- Scripture commands us to read and meditate on God’s Word.
- We can’t approach scripture as if it were any other book.
- We want to learn to interpret scripture like Jesus did.
- Hermeneutics is part of our Christian maturity.
Regarding the importance of hermeneutics - why is God’s Word our very life?
Hermeneutics is important for Christians.
Jesus quotes Deut 8:3 in Matt 4:4 and Luke 4:4,
“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
The point of this passage is not just that Jesus uses scripture to silence the devil, but to point out that Jesus is the better Israel.
He will be the one who is successful in trusting God’s Word.
Why is it important to meditate on God’s Word?
Psalm 1 tells us - blessed is the man who delights in the Law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
1.) We shouldn’t think of this as a command so much as something to take pleasure in and enjoy.
2.) This we do to know God better.
What are some reasons scripture not considered to be “like any other book?”
Although there are similarities;
1.) God inspired the Bible
2.) Not merely the words of men, but the Word of God.
3.) It is inerrent; there are no errors. it contains truth and only truth.
4.) The Bible is the means by which the Spirit works to change the reader.
Hermeneutics is important to Christians so we can learn to interpret scripture as Jesus did.
How did Jesus interpret scripture?
Jesus interpreted the Old Testasment to be about Him.
Not just about him, but his life, death, and resurrection and mission to the world.
The Law Prophets and Writings are about the proclamation of repentence for the forgiveness of sins unto all nations. (Not just a NT concept)
What is the necessity of Scripture?
Necessity of scripture is one of four attributes of scripture.
- It says that scripture is necessary as special revelation.
- It is necessary because although general revelation renders people without excuse, special revelation (scripture) is necessary for salvation.
- Scripture claims itself to be necessary.
What are the four main attributes of Scripture?
- Necessity of scripture
- Authority of scripture
- Clarity of Scripture
- Sufficiency of scripture
What are the three reasons Turretin gives for the necessity of special revelation?
- Scripture reveals salvation to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
- Extreme blindness and corruption of men.
- General revelation only drives people to more sin.
- We cannot learn to worship God rightly unless we are illuminated by Him.
How does the Necessity of Scripture effect how we interpret the Bible (Hermeneutics)?
Scripture declares itself to be special revelation. (2 Tim 3:14-17)
- It adds weight to the words of scripture.
What is the authority of Scripture?
The question of the authority of scripture asks, what level of authority does scripture have in comparison to other authorities?
Scripture is authoritative because it is the word of God.
- scripture’s authority does not depend on the church or any human reason, because it comes from the mouth of God.
Jesus says in Matt 5:17 that he did not come to abolish the Law and the prophets but to fulfill them.
- He then says not one iota of them will pass until it is accomplished.
The Holy Spirit is our subjective certainty attesting to the fact that scripture is God’s word.
How does the authority of scripture affect hermeneutics?
Scripture is our principle of theology.
– This means it is the highest, infallible, and ultimate authority for faith and life.
– therefore scripture must be without error in all its parts (inerrant).
(if not inerrant then not the highest authority)
Define the sufficiency of scripture.
Scripture is sufficient for everything we need to know for faith and practice.
– this does not mean it is the only source of knowledge.
– sufficiency means nothing should be added to scripture.
– 2 Tim 3:16-17 (sufficiency for practice)
What are some limitations of scripture that may affect our hermeneutics?
Interpretation of scripture requires some external knowledge.
– language, historical context, culture, etc.
Applying scripture requires discernment.
– we are commanded to pray for one another.
Interpreting scripture requires the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
– Eph 1, Paul prays for “the spirit of wisdom”
What are some limitations on the clarity of scripture?
Not all scripture is equally clear.
Not all who come have equal access (learned vs unlearned)
There are secret things of God. (Deut 29:29)
Peter tells us there are difficult things (2 Peter 3:16)
Misunderstanding of believers due to sin, laziness, etc. (Hebrews 5:11-14)
What are the two criteria for identifying a type (typology)?
1) Historical pattern - a relationship that manifests itself in history.
2) Escalation and significance - the shadow is pointing to something in the future. (something greater in the future)
If nothing is to be added to scripture, how can we interpret doctrine not explicitly stated?
Deduction is a huge part of biblical translation.
– deduction is when we take two or more logical propositions and deduce new information from it.
– those things deduced from good and necessary consequences are just as true as explicit statements.
What is typology?
Typology looks for certain things in the OT that foreshadow things in the NT.
It is the God-ordained, author-intended historical correspondence and escalation between things (people, events, and institutions) throughout the Bible’s redemptive-historical story.
We are looking for the relationship between the type (already) and the antitype (the not yet)
What are 4 ways to identify a historical pattern for doing biblical typology?
Remember, the historical pattern is a relationship that manifests itself in history.
1.) Look for quotations or explicit references to an OT text.
2.) Look for a repeated sequence of events. (i.e. Exodus)
3.) Repetition of significant terms. (Hebrew or Greek)
4.) look for Redemptive-historical significance - That is, major events in OT that are significant throughout history.
Why is the NT use of the OT important for hermeneutics?
Approximately 1 in 20 NT verses either quotes or alludes to OT verses.
**The protestant view (& WCF) says the infallible rule of interpretation is the rule of faith, that scripture interprets scripture.
- As such, the NT helps us interpret the OT.
- When there is a question about the true and full sense of the meaning of any scripture, it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.
Why should we care how the NT authors interpreted the OT?
The NT authors know the text better than most.
They are seeing the OT in its big picture context.
NT interpretation is consistent with OT patterns and expectations.
(not in the notes, but the NT authors have the benefit of the whole canon of OT scripture from which to view the OT as well as their experience with the covenant redeemer himself.)
Why is the character of the interpreter so important?
Character goes hand in hand with application. It matters how we live out the text.
- interpreting scripture is both a theoretical and a practical task.
- knowing it and living it out are equally important.
- right knowledge combined with wrong living is a destructive witness to the world.
- right action with wrong knowledge is merely a life of coincidence.
What are seven characteristics of a genuine interpreter of the Bible?
- approach scripture in faith.
- this is trust that maintains a teachable spirit.
- interpreter must be eliminated by the Holy Spirit.
- we cannot interpret rightly apart from the Holy Spirit.
- well studied
- not a hypocrite
- serves God in both word and deed
- mortified sin (takes action against personal sin)
- humble
- long game not short game
- interpreting is a lifelong pursuit
