Abbreviations in the following lists appear throughout the text of the book and in the footnotes. Throughout the book, we argue for a responsible approach to discerning the meaning of the biblical texts.
CHAPTERONE
The Need for Hermeneutics
Paul uses the noun in 1 Cor 12:10 to refer to the gift of interpretation in tongues. In fields such as biblical studies or literature, it refers to the task of explaining the meaning of a piece of writing.
Why Hermeneutics?
The Greek lexicon reveals that the verb hermeneuein means "to explain, explain, or translate," while the noun hermeneia means "explanation" or "translation." With the verb, Luke informs us that Jesus explained to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus what the Bible says about him (Luke 24:27).
Hermeneutics Defined The Art and Science of Interpretation
We assume that people communicate to be understood, and that includes the authors of the Bible. They understand the message strictly in terms of the events of their own lives, ignoring the perspective of the text and its original recipients.
The Meaning of the Message
In the former, we may be able to isolate such information to aid our understanding of the written text. Unfortunately, "red letter" editions of the Gospels can give the (wrong) impression that we have direct quotations.
Some Challenges of Bible Interpretation
Once we realize that many of the biblical authors used or edited already existing material (and sometimes multiple versions side by side), we must evaluate the roles and motives of these editors. The books of the Bible are literary pieces, not transcriptions or simply cut-and-paste collections assembled naively, haphazardly, or even chronologically.
Cultural Distance
Geographical Distance
Distance of Language
The NIV translates the last sentence, "It is good that a man should not marry." Compare this with KJV/RSV, "It is good (or good) that a man should not touch a woman"; Phillips, "It is a good principle for a man to have no physical contact with women"; and NEB, "it is good for a man to have nothing to do with women." At the end, the NIV suggests in a footnote what is probably the most likely meaning: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." Since these versions differ so widely, how are we to understand what Paul really meant.
Eternal Relevance-The Divine Factor
This means that the true interpretation of the Bible can never be merely an exercise in ancient history. It becomes absolutely critical that we understand as best we can what God means by what He says in the Bible.
CHAPTERTWO
As Paul notes regarding scriptural truth, certain factual statements about past events always remain true (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). We learn by analogy when we discover that the truth of the Bible applies to life and situations in the modern world.
The History of Interpretation
Smalley, ne Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages (New York: . The Philosophical Library, 1952), l-6 19LIe Vita Contemplativa, x. Christian beliefs by faith, not by reason, following the authority of the Church and the Bible.to accept.
Post-World War II
Like Barth, Bultmann was concerned that the Bible would meet the needs of modern people. In other words, he proposed an essentially subjective, existentialist reading of the Bible, one based on every historical event of the first century.
CHAPTERTHREE
The Canon of the Old Testament
The controversy is more intense over the third traditional division of the Hebrew Scriptures: the Scriptures. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the Jews agreed on the boundaries of the Hebrew canon in NT times.
The Canon of the New Testament
In the middle of the second century, the first major impetus for the explicit discussion of a Christian canon came from the heretic Marcion. The writings of James, Peter, John, and Jude were then added in that order, probably in descending order of their authors' prominence in the earliest church.
Criteria of Canonicity
Canon Criticism
For example, a study of Matthew's theology itself would show that Jesus' Sermon on the Mount was primarily intended for those who were already disciples (Mt 5:1). More often than not, these interpretations distract from the original intent of the texts.
Texts and Translations
Serious students of the Bible would be wise to acquire such editions of the Bible. For additional discussion, see the section on the use of the OT in the NT).
Techniques of Translation
The Major English Translations72
We do not work in a vacuum; we are not the first to confuse the meaning of the Bible. Rather, it refers to the inspiration of the Spirit in providing the canon of New Testament Scripture.
Appropriate Methods
And since the Church of Jesus Christ is a global community, it transcends all cultural boundaries and parochial interests—a reality we deny if we limit our interpretations and formulations of God's truth to personal efforts to understand Scripture. If we discover the meaning of God's revelation, it will make sense or be true to others in Christ's worldwide Body when they openly assess the evidence we have used to reach our conclusions.
Presuppositions for Correct Interpretation
We also believe that this assumption alone does justice to the Bible's character and claims to authenticity. As we respond in faithful obedience, we worship and praise the God of the Bible.
Presuppositions about the Nature of the Interpreter
The phenomenon of miracles is discussed in the work devoted to the Gospels, in the chapter on genres of the NT. The evangelical faith stands for a defensible, historically credible interpretation of the Bible—within the limits of the Bible's own claims about itself.
Presuppositions about Methodology
We affirm the uniqueness of the Bible and acknowledge this commitment before we begin the process of interpretation. We recognize that our presuppositions about the nature of the Bible can be interpreted as a kind of one-sided dogmatism.
Presuppositions about the Goal of Hermeneutics
All who study the Bible must confirm the nature and character of the text; they must determine for themselves exactly what they make of the Bible. In the past, hermeneutics concentrated on the ancient world of texts and the techniques for understanding what texts mean.
Definition of Preunderstanding
Only the creators of documents know what they really meant, and in the case of the Bible they are not available for consultation. Likewise, we all have certain assumptions or assumptions about the world based on our past.
The Role of Preunderstandhg
Because the proverbial goldfish is unaware of the water in which it swims, we are not always aware of our view of reality. On the other hand, an ideology-like “one's view on the possibility of miracles” makes a big difference in how one interprets the stories that Jesus rose from the dead.
A Philosophy of Interpretation as Preunderstanding
McKnight argues that the preconceived nature of the modern reader has led to a fundamental shift in the hermeneutical task. Postmodern Use of the Bible: 'Ihe Emergence of Reader Oriented Crfticism (Nashville: Abingdon Our Emphasis).
Testing Preunderstandings
For M&right, the reader's perception of the text, not the text itself, is the ultimate basis of authority for the meaning of the text.
A Christian Preunderstanding 7Q
The entire Bib&the accepted canon- is our inspired text and object of study
Truth is truth, and we must carefully hear and understand all parts of the Bible – in both testaments. Snodgrass suggests, “At every point the early Christians sought to understand their Scripture [which was, of course, the Old Testament] in the new light of the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The whole of Scripture (its overriding message or teaching) best interprets specific parts. At the same time, we must derive our understanding of the whole
The various parts of the Bible cannot be fairly interpreted without acknowledging and considering this factor. Therefore, New Testament concepts must be understood from Old Testament passages" ("The Use of the Old Testament in the New," in New Testament Criticism and Interpretation, ed. D. A. Black and D. S. Dockery [Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
The Bible reflects this progression as the OT prepares and, in some cases, gives way to the OT. Where the NT changes the meaning or application of the NT in light of the coming of Jesus, the NT takes precedence and becomes the lens through which we view the NT.95 In many cases the NT does not replace or change the NT. -in. , and in such places the importance of OT remains.
Preunderstanding8 Change with Understanding
We must see how his purposes unfold over time and through his revelation in the Bible. Once she realized that the snow was falling from above and not coming from the earth, she revised her understanding of this precipitation.
HERMENEUTICAL SPIRAL
In her adjusted understanding, it fit into the same category as rain, rather than into the category of dew. Then, as the newly interpreted interpreter continues to further question the text, further - perhaps different - answers are obtained from this newly formed understanding.
BIBLICAL TEXT PREUNDERSTANDING
Preunderstandings and Objectivity in Interpretation
If the Bible is true (and this brings us back to our presuppositions), then subscribing to its truth is the most appropriate starting point for interpreting its content. The metaphor of a spiral suggests the most sound approach to an adequate understanding of the Bible.
CHAPT’ERFIVE
The author encoded the meaning in the text, and our goal is to discover it, at least enough to restore it in the text. Even if the author were there to protest, the text could be played with or manipulated in any way.
Levels of Meaning
Evans, "The Function of the Old Testament in the New," in Zntroducing New Testament Interpretation, ed. Goppelt, Tipos: i%e Typological Interpretation of the Old Testament in the New (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982); G.
Legitimate Reader-Response Interpretation
The preconceptions and presuppositions of the interpreter contribute enormously to the results of the interpretation process. Christ and his Church provided structures and trajectories for a new understanding of the events and texts in the OT Scriptures.
Validating Our Interpretation How Can We Validate Our Interpretation?
In any case, in these cases both sides were forced to "act" in the history of the Church. But even well-accepted interpretations must be subject to the judgment of the worldwide Christian community.
CHAPTER SIX
General Rules of Hermeneutics-Prose
The book’s purpose(s) or controlling theme(s) 2. The basic outline of the book
Then the probable interpretation shows how that section contributes to the overall progress of the book itself. Check parallels to see if they add to the understanding of the meaning of the passage.
Historical-Cultural Background
The Signikance of the Historical-Cultural Background Perspective
First, we need a lens to look back into the background of the biblical world to learn the intended meaning. Because our current culture has shaped how we understand things (our preconceptions), we risk shaping our perception of the biblical message in terms of our lifestyle without first understanding it according to its own historical-cultural framework.
Principles for Historical-Culturd Interpretation The Original Historical-Cultural Background
A good example of this is the interpretation of the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13). Nothing in the context or in Jesus' application of the parable indicates the theme of righteousness.
Retrieving the Historical-Cultural Background
Then we try to explain the meaning and importance of the text in the light of this historical-cultural reconstruction of the original environment. To the extent that we enter the world of the biblical environment, we can grasp the meaning of the passage.
Word Meanings
An interpretation that corresponds exactly to the original setting best represents the intended meaning of the text.
Crucial Issues about the Nature of Words Words are Arbitrary Signs
These different meanings make up at least part of the range of meanings of the word "hand". Usually, such multiple meanings of a word do not cause any confusion or misunderstanding. The ideas expressed in the larger message of the literary context almost always clarify the intended meaning.
Steps for Performing Word Studies
Select Words that Require Detailed Analysis
While the word "dog" denotes a four-legged, furry animal, when used for a person in the statement, "Your dog!" it communicates an emotional feeling of disapproval. Those students who have facility in the Bible languages will have even more insight into the meanings of the words.
Determine the Range of Meaning for the Word
To detect such influences, notice the main meaning of the Hebrew words that the Greek word used to translate in the Septuagint. An exciting development for NT studies appears in the use of the Greek word for covenant (diathkt).
Select the Meaning that Best Fits the Context
Each word's impact on the thought expressed stems from its relationship with the rest of the words in the sentence. It simply indicates that the writer/speaker assumes its truth for the sake of the argument.
Steps for Discovering Structural Relationships
The main clause of the first sentence is "Consider it pure joy." Three subordinate elements then qualify this statement. For each subordinate (dependent) clause or phrase, the student must determine: (1) what word it modifies, (2) what type of clause or phrase it is (a chart following possible types follows), and (3) how it affects the meaning of the sentence.
QUESTION Adverbial142
It indicates whether the writer or speaker conceives the action of the verb as a finished state (sustainable), still in process (imperfective), or an unspecified whole (perfective). Aspect (tense) specifies how the writer presents the nature of the action.150 For example, note John's.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Unfortunately, many sincere believers have missed the point of Paul's warning in chapter three not to destroy God's temple. In fact, the Greek pronouns are plural, so in effect, he invokes God's blessing on the whole church. 160.
General Rules of Hermeneutics-Old
However, Paul's reference to the temple of God in 3:16-17 presents the common body of believers—that is, the whole church—as the Spirit-dwelling temple of God. Thinking of their individual body as the temple of God, they understand Paul's counsel as a call to personal piety; they do not understand the true purpose of Paul - the prayer not to allow divisions to destroy the church.159 At the end of both letters to Timothy, the writer says: "Grace be with you". We might mistakenly think that these are Paul's final blessings to one individual, Timothy.
Testament Poetry
Where the pronoun "you" can be either singular or plural in English, Greek (as well as Hebrew) makes a clear distinction. The specific distinctions that Greek relative pronouns make between singular and plural, as well as between masculine, feminine, and neuter, provide a precision not available in our generic English "who" and "what."16i English Translations of the Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew does not clarify that Jesus is the child of Mary only, not of both Joseph and Mary.
The Dynamics of Poetry
The Sounds of Hebrew Poetry Rhyme and Meter
Their aim is ;1 good one - to recover the wording of (or, at least, the closest to) the original Hebrew text (i.e. the method called textual criticism). In short, careful study of a good literal English translation gives even the non-specialized student a partial glimpse of the Hebrew original.
Ike Sounds of Poetic Words
Sometimes the pun plays on changes in vowels between words of the same consonants (i.e. the same root). It involves repeating the same word, but with a different meaning each time.
The Structure of Hebrew Poetry Parallelism
10 illustrates this structure
Through the comparison, the poet fleshes out what would otherwise remain an abstract idea ("The LORD has compassion"). The first line offers the general statement "The LORD has redeemed Israel"; those that follow explain this redemption.
Other Poetic Structures
However, there is an emotional contrast between the verbs 'to be filled' and 'to burst'. The first describes a condition; the latter paints a picture with a touch of exaggeration. The closest synonyms are 'love'/'faithfulness' and 'miracles'/'righteous deeds'. The other group, however, “brings with it a progressive, imaginative realization of death.
The Language of Poetry
For example, note the merism in the famous opening line of the Bible: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1, our italics). The first pair describes the earth's vertical extremes ("depths"/"tops"), the second its horizontal ends ("sea"/"dry land").
Devices of Poetic Lmguage Similes and Metaphors
For example, study the line "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous" just quoted in Psa 34:15. In the first example, the psalmist addresses the kings of the earth, none of whom were probably present on the occasion of this psalm.
How to Interpret Poetic Language
Singing formed one important part of Israelite festivals, so "singing" rightly represents the whole range of festival activities. Thus "(joy) sing" serves to contrast the "mourning" and "weeping" that will cause the coming divine judgment.
Larger Units of Poetry
Thus, the figurative meaning is that God is the protection of the psalmist, the one whose tremendous strength surrounds him. Finally, we suggest that within Psa 18 the figures function to echo one of the main themes of the psalm—God's protection—a theme that the psalmist's own testimony confirms (Psa 18:4-19). 109.
Sense Units
Personal report: trouble and forgiveness 3-5
- What comes first in the poem? What comes last? Why?
- What comes in the middle of the poem? Why?
- What is the poem’s main theme(s)?
- How does each sense unit contribute to its thematic development?
- What is the poem’s intention or purpose (i.e., What did the poet hope to accomplish?)?
- What is its main point?
8 introduces what follows as instruction (v. 9), we label the entire section "Instruction." what follows as instruction (w. 9-po), we label the entire section "Instruction." What is the purpose or goal of the poem (ie, What did the poet hope to achieve?)? hope to achieve?).
CHAPTEREIGHT
Genres of the Old Testament
6 In one sense, that assumption is correct: like historians, the biblical writers accurately report historical events. To encourage and help the student to develop literary competence in both the OT and the NT, we would like to briefly examine the Bible's main literary forms.
Narratives
Literary competence is the ability to distinguish clues within the text that indicate what kind of literature we are working with and therefore what to expect or not to expect from it.* The Bible student who knows the formation and function of each literary type is in the best position to interpret correctly and to avoid serious misunderstandings. Our aim is threefold: (1) to provide reliable first steps to think "literally" about the Bible; (2) to present a preliminary literary vocabulary that will assist the student in interpretation; and (3) to demonstrate how an understanding of literary forms is crucial to correct biblical interpretation.9.
Old Testament Narratives
- In simple reports the focus should fall on the subject and how it contrib- utes to the themes of the larger context
- Reports tend to stress factual matters (what happened, who did what, etc.)
- Character development merits some attention. Note the character traits of both heroes and villains and how they contribute to their respective success or de-
- Discern what role God plays in the story: is it a direct or an indirect one?
19See also the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar in the narrative parts of the book of Daniel (Dan amp;g). For example, how does Samuel's speech (1 Sam 12) develop the themes of the book of 1 Samuel.
Embedded Genres
Usually, an embedded genre forms a component of a larger context; it is not an independent context itself?
So the purpose of interpretation is to discover what that part contributes to the message of the whole. To achieve that goal: (a) define the key point of the embedded genre (read by itself: what does it say?); (b) define the main idea(s) of the surrounding context (what topic does the context address and what does it say about it?);67 and (c) analyze the relationship between the point of the embedded genre and the idea(s) of the context of it (how does the embedded genre contribute to the message of the whole?).
Deuteronomy is best understood as a covenant document akin to ancient treaties. It must be interpreted against this treaty background
The student should read the book in light of one crucial datum of histori- cal background: the potential, corrupting influence of the Canaanite religion on
Poetry
White, A Study of the Language of Love in the Song of Songs and Ancient Egyptian Poetry, SBLDS 38 (Missoula, MT: Scholars, 1978). If so, the phrase "from the house of the LORD we bless you" (v. 26) and the reference to the.
- Poems originated as complete units, so the student should interpret them in their entirety rather than as isolated verses
- For purposes of interpretation, each psalm serves as its own literary context because the psalm and the psalms that surround it undoubtedly originated inde-
- The student must take into account the structure of a poetic genre and the development of its thought. The student will need to determine its major sections,
- Application must conform to the situation behind each genre. In other words, apply corporate texts to the Christian community and individual texts to
The student will need to determine its most important parts, the main point each part makes, and the contribution of each part to the message of the whole. Royal psalms best relate to the modern counterparts of Israel's kings: the leaders of the Christian community.
Prophecy
Basic ‘I)pes of Prophecy Prophecy of Disaster
Examples of the psalm appear occasionally in the prophetic books (for psalms, see above under poetry; for psalms in Job, see below). They act as a message ("word of the Lord") about the drought - it will continue as Israel's punishment.
General Principles for Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy
- The clarity of a text determines the degree of confidence we may hold in its interpretation. The clearer the text, the greater the certainty about what it means
- The Bible itself offers the best guide to the interpretation of prophecy. It indicates which prophecies were fulfilled during the OT and NT periods and sug-
- The student should seek the most likely time for the fuhillment of a prophecy in history. Here we must apply a knowledge of biblical history as well as of the NT’s
- Unless the NT indicates otherwise, the student should relate OT prophe- cies about Israel and Zion to those whose fulfillment the NT specifically teaches
- As for application, once a section’s major point(s) is understood, we sug- gest that the student should find modern life situations analogous to the one which
But they are convinced that Jesus and the Church - with both Jewish and non-Jewish members - fulfill Israel's prophetic hope and therefore constitute God's one, true chosen people (see Eph 1-2).'" This explains why their term for "church" is ekklha ("assembly"), the same word the Here we must apply a knowledge of biblical history as well as of the NTs in history.
Apodyptic Prophecy
Again, we follow the pattern that the NT writers set in their use of the OT. Here we analyze the genres of OT "wisdom literature," the largest category that includes the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.179 As one might expect, these extremely diverse books yield a great variety of genres.
The biggest emphasis - t e tiz + amazing thing - falls on the last point ("the way of a husband with girls"). The most common proverb is the "antithetical proverb," a form that dominates the large collection in Prov 10-l 5.
If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread my bed in the dark. In terms of interpretation, the complaint reminds the reader of the speaker's fam of reference: acute suffering suffered unjustly and the assumption that an appeal to God could bring salvation.
This background helps to underscore why Job's fate is particularly bitter: God himself, not his human peers, is Job's implacable enemy; and, instead of saving Job, God remains silent.
The book’s ending provides a crucial clue to the interpretation of the whole book. God vindicates and rewards Job and criticizes the arrogance of his friends
Conclusion
CHAPTERNINE
Genres of the New Testament
Still others were similar to extended discussions of Jesus' post-resurrection teachings to his disciples (e.g., the Gospels of Philip and Mary). Throughout most of Church history, Christians have thought of the Gospels as biographies of Jesus.
Implications for Interpretation Historical Tmstwortttiness
The central theme of Jesus' teaching is the announcement of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Perhaps his best work on the Kingdom is 7%e Presence of the Future (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974).
The Forms Within the Gospels
First Missionary Journey of Paul and the Jerusalem Council (12:25- 16:5)
Wide Outreach through Paul’s Two Other Missionary Journeys (16:6- 19:20)
To Jerusalem and then to Rome ( 19:21-28:31)61
Correct interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles also requires an understanding of the meaning of the events of Acts 2. But for those who believe in the authority of the final form of Scripture, regardless of its prehistory or tradition criticism.
The Genre of the Epistles
Formal criticism of the letters is not nearly as common as that of the Gospels. And the perspective attributed to the Corinthians would be the opposite of the more egalitarian thrust of proto-Gnosticism.
Key ‘Ihological Issues for the Pauline Epistles
Grammatically, the phrase "we who are still alive who are left at the coming of the Lord" simply means "which Christians are still alive. It makes best sense in the historical contexts in which the various documents were written.
The Genre of Revelation
Christian scholars generally agree that the authors of the popular end-time paperbacks in the local Christian bookstore have missed the message. Secondly, concerning what was revealed, he was only told that "none of the wicked will understand," but "those who are wise [i.e.
Revelation as Prophecy
True Daniel did not understand all that he prophesied (v. S), and God answered through an angel that "the words are closed and sealed until the time of the end". Third, Revelation differs from Daniel in that God, as the completion of the revelation of the new covenant, brings his plan of salvation to the threshold of the end.
Revelation as Apocalyptic
It is not the final word of God, but only an imperfect, incomplete parody of the perfection to come. And the five-month plague of demonic "locusts" (9:5) arrives in a relatively limited time (also equivalent to the insect's life cycle).
PARTV
In fact, the entire book exudes teaching on all the major doctrines of the Christian faith, not just eschatology. But we have set the stage for an appreciation of the many dimensions of the Bible that will help us understand its meaning.
THE FRUITS OF INTERPRETATION
Even with respect to eschatology, we can agree to disagree on many details and still affirm the reality of Christ's future, visible and universal return to judge all mankind and to give people one of the only two possible destinies upon them. waiting to be awarded: the unspeakable suffering of eternal punishment or the indescribable glory of eternal life, based on their acceptance or rejection of Jesus. I41 Above all, if we learn the lesson of Acts 1:6-S and stop trying to guess whether we are living in the last generation or how the latest news can fit into this or that verse, then we can focus on the grand theological themes of the book and be encouraged about God's sovereignty, love and justice even during our most difficult times.142.
CHAPTERTEN
Using the Bible Today