Arbor Foundations

3 – The Bible II: Hermeneutics

Read-Ahead

 Read a specific Bible passage and summarize what you think it means, how to apply it and why.

Key Ideas / Biblical Basis

- Biblical hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting the Bible which involves “exegesis,” – the

actual practice of interpreting Scripture

- Everyone interprets the Bible in some fashion, and the Christian is called to understand, explain and

apply the Scriptures as best as they are able (2 Tim. 2:15)

- There is a correct way to interpret the Bible – even the “hard” passages (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

- Essentials: Key Points to Realize (Presuppositions to Embrace)

o Nature & Purpose of the Bible

 All Scripture Points to Christ – God’s Revelation of Himself – the Redemption of His People,

and the Coming of His Kingdom (Luke 24:32)

o The Authority, Inerrancy, Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency of Scripture

o The Need for the God’s Help – the illumination of the Holy Spirit

 Psalm 119:34; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10

o God Promises to Help Us

 John 16:13; Eph. 4:11-16; I John 2:20-27; 2 Tim. 2:7

Different Hermeneutical Approaches throughout Church History (Summary)

- Early Church Fathers (200-400s) varied approaches: literal/historical, moral, allegorical, mystical.

- Augustine (354-430) championed a literal, historical approach to reading the Bible.

o He insisted that a proper understanding must begin with the mind of the writer, which required

knowing the biblical languages and paying attention to context.

- Middle Ages Church’s Four-Fold Hermeneutic (Not a good approach)

o 1). the literal, showing what God did 2). the allegorical, showing what at surface level God hid

3). the moral, revealing what believers should do 4). the mystical, or anagogical, showing the

heavenly life in which, for Christians, things will end.

- Reformation: “Grammatical-Historical” Hermeneutic (A Very Good approach)

o Each bible passage had one basic meaning, which was firmly rooted in historical truth.

o It is “historical,” relating real, interconnected historical events, that must be acknowledged and

understood before the various teachings of the bible could make sense or have application.

o It is “grammatical,” using language the way any normal person would.

o This hermeneutical approach is absolutely vital, for it tethers the truth of the scriptures to real,

historical events, that have a real impact on our life; and it gives us a way to study the scriptures with

confidence, according to well-established dictates of human language.

Basic Principles for Proper Biblical Interpretation

Three Questions to Approach Every Passage: What does it say? Mean? How do I apply it?

- 1). What does it say? (Observation)

o Grammar / English Words: Importance of good translation

o Literary Context: author, audience, immediate context of passage, book context, other books by

same author, books in same time period (Gospels), NT or OT, Storyline of the Bible

o Historical Context: culture, customs, language, beliefs, history of author and original audience

o Genre of Scripture: Genres are categories of literature that have distinctive characteristics and, as a

result, require some particularized reading strategies.

 Historical Narrative, Law, Prophetic Literature, Wisdom Literature, Apocalyptic Literature,

Gospels and Acts, and Epistles

 Text Types: Refer to the form of the passage, they appear in the different genres narrative (or

stories), discourse (or speeches), poetry, parables, legal, letters

Arbor Foundations 3 – The Bible II: Hermeneutics

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- 2). What does it mean? (Interpretation)

o The Harmony Principle – Because God is the author of all Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), it is all in harmony

with itself and contains no real contradictions

 Implication #1: Everything Scripture says about God must be accepted and held together

o (Ezek. 33:11 & Deut. 28:63) Which is true? Does God delight in destroying Israel for their sins, or

does He take no pleasure in it?

 Implication #2: The correct interpretation of any given Scripture passage will not contradict

the total teaching of Scripture at any point.

o (Rom. 3:28 & James 2:24) Is there a contradiction between Paul and James on justification?

 Applying the Harmony Principle

 Scripture should be interpreted by Scripture (Matt. 11:14; John 1:22)

 Scripture should not be set against Scripture (Romans 3:28; James 2:24)

 What appears to be secondary and obscure in the Scripture should be studied in the light of

what appears primary and plain (1 Corinthians 15:29)

o Read & Interpret a Passage in view of its genre & text type

 How you understand an OT Proverb will be different than applying an imperative in an Epistle.

 How you read apocalyptic literature will be different than how you interpret Gospel parables.

- 3). How do I apply it? (Application)

 From all that I have come to understand this passage meaning, what does it teach me about God

and His Kingdom, and what does it teach me about me and how I should live?

So What?

Why Does It Matter that we work towards using correct principles and methods for interpreting the Bible?

- Misunderstanding, teaching and applying God’s Word in error can lead to:

o God’s judgement, wrath, and/or discipline

o Embracing of outright heresy, erroneous doctrines, worldly philosophies & spirituality

o Confusion and lack of wisdom, apathy and ignorance

o Inability to better know the fullness of Christ love and the filling of the Spirit

- Striving to search, know and apply the Scriptures properly will help you:

o Know God better; know the love & forgiveness of Christ; experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

o To correctly apply the Scriptures to your daily life.

o Evangelize and disciple others, pointing them to Christ.

o To Glorify God and enjoy Him now with the ever-longing hope of Christ return.

Resources for Further Study

Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, Macmillan/Library of Liberty Arts (1997).

J. Scott Duvall, J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word, Zondervan (2012) Online Course

https://courses.zondervanacademic.com/biblical-interpretation

Andreas Köstenberger, Online Course TGC Learn, “An Invitation to Biblical Interpretation”

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/invitation-biblical-interpretation

Andreas Köstenberger, Video: “Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?” https://youtu.be/DqknrDzX96Q

William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Zondervan

(2017) Online Course: https://courses.zondervanacademic.com/introduction-biblical-interpretation

J.I. Packer, 'Fundamentalism' and the Word of God Inter-Varsity Press (1958)

http://www.bible-researcher.com/packer1.html

John Piper, Brian Tabb, Online Course: “Principles of Biblical Interpretation”

https://courses.biblemesh.com/principles-biblical-interpretation

Vern S. Poythress, Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God: A Handbook for Biblical

Interpretation, Crossway (2016)

Monergism (Biblical Interpretation Resources):

https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=biblical+interpretation&format=All