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Hermeneutics1 HERMENEUTICS Presented to iServe Africa Apprenticeship Team on 3 rd March 2009 By: Kepha Nyandega

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Hermeneutics2 Introduction What have you learnt in IBS? What have you learnt in IBS? What expectations do you have in this session? What expectations do you have in this session?

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Hermeneutics3 Outline Introduction Introduction What is Hermeneutics? What is Hermeneutics? Why Hermeneutics? Why Hermeneutics? General Hermeneutics General Hermeneutics Special Hermeneutics Special Hermeneutics Requirements for Effective Bible interpretation Requirements for Effective Bible interpretation Conclusion Conclusion

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Hermeneutics4 Introduction: What is Hermeneutics? A technical word from Greek meaning to explain, interpret or translate. A technical word from Greek meaning to explain, interpret or translate. It therefore refers to the science and art of biblical interpretation. It therefore refers to the science and art of biblical interpretation. To interpret means to understand the right or intended meaning of a certain word or phrase. And not merely unique meaning To interpret means to understand the right or intended meaning of a certain word or phrase. And not merely unique meaning Exegesis : studying a text in its context to establish the original intended meaning. Exegesis : studying a text in its context to establish the original intended meaning. This is opposed to eisegesis imposing ones meaning into a text This is opposed to eisegesis imposing ones meaning into a text Hermeneutics is scriptural! Luke 24: 27 Hermeneutics is scriptural! Luke 24: 27

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Hermeneutics5 Introduction. (Contd) Why Hermeneutics? Interpretation is a basic skill in life. Interpretation is a basic skill in life. Bible pose problems, such as: Bible pose problems, such as: Bible composition: 66 bks by abt 40 authors and diff styles/ genres Bible composition: 66 bks by abt 40 authors and diff styles/ genres Time Gap Time Gap The cultural gap The cultural gap Geographical Gap Geographical Gap Language Gap Language Gap The nature of the scriptures themselves: the bible is both divine and human The nature of the scriptures themselves: the bible is both divine and human To guard against error in doctrine and practice as well as apply Gods word in our lives and encourage growth. To guard against error in doctrine and practice as well as apply Gods word in our lives and encourage growth.

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Hermeneutics6 General Hermeneutics Refers to general guidelines to interpreting any text Determine the context & Content of the text Determine the context & Content of the text Context is the setting or background of a message eg a statement like I am going home may mean differently depending on the context. What are some possible meanings? Content is the message being communicated ie the meaning of words and phrases. Words & concepts only makes sense in a context Words & concepts only makes sense in a context A text out of a context is a pretext A text out of a context is a pretext Two critical contexts are: Literary Context and historical context Two critical contexts are: Literary Context and historical context

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Hermeneutics7 General Hermeneutics.. Contd. Immediate context Book context Same author context. Whole Bible context Historical Context Each Bible Book has its history in terms of: The time and the culture of the author and his readers The time and the culture of the author and his readers The occasion and purpose of the book. The occasion and purpose of the book. Text Literary Context Use the 7FFQs to determine these contexts

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Hermeneutics8 Special Hermeneutics Refers to specific skills required for each genre Refers to specific skills required for each genre All Bible books fall in any of the following genres: All Bible books fall in any of the following genres: Narrative: describe events, people and report dialogue and teaching eg the first 17 books of OT and the first 5 Books of NT Narrative: describe events, people and report dialogue and teaching eg the first 17 books of OT and the first 5 Books of NT Discourse: An argument persuading people to change their behavior or belief eg prophets and Epistles Discourse: An argument persuading people to change their behavior or belief eg prophets and Epistles Poetry and Wisdom: Records testimonies or feelings of the writer eg Job, Psalms, proverbs, etc. Poetry and Wisdom: Records testimonies or feelings of the writer eg Job, Psalms, proverbs, etc. Apocalyptic: records visions, dreams, or special terminology, symbols and other vivid imagery, secrets of Gods plan for history and the coming triumph e.g., Revelation, parts of Daniel and Ezekiel. Others are Matt 24= Mrk 13 = Lk 21 Apocalyptic: records visions, dreams, or special terminology, symbols and other vivid imagery, secrets of Gods plan for history and the coming triumph e.g., Revelation, parts of Daniel and Ezekiel. Others are Matt 24= Mrk 13 = Lk 21

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Hermeneutics9 Interpreting Narratives Narratives simply tell what happened not what ought to have happened Narratives simply tell what happened not what ought to have happened Narratives are static and temporal ie they dont tell all hence the need to understand the context i.e. background information (behind the scenes) Narratives are static and temporal ie they dont tell all hence the need to understand the context i.e. background information (behind the scenes) To interpret a narrative, seek for the full story to get the plot, setting, characters, authorship, audience, theme, and style (language, expressions, words, etc) To interpret a narrative, seek for the full story to get the plot, setting, characters, authorship, audience, theme, and style (language, expressions, words, etc)

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Hermeneutics10 Interpreting Narratives contd. A narrative is an episode in an ongoing story i.e. Meaning is lost if any narrative is read independent of what is going on A narrative is an episode in an ongoing story i.e. Meaning is lost if any narrative is read independent of what is going on Every narrative has to fit three levels: Every narrative has to fit three levels: Gods overall redemptive history plan Gods overall redemptive history plan Gods level with Israel/ church Gods level with Israel/ church The level of the narrative as an episode The level of the narrative as an episode Every narrative has own character; the chief character is God even where he is not mentioned like Esther. What is he doing? Every narrative has own character; the chief character is God even where he is not mentioned like Esther. What is he doing?

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Hermeneutics11 Interpreting Parables A parable is an ordinary story meant to communicate a spiritual or moral truth. Its usually employs a particular event in the past tense for a present situation without direct and obvious comparison. A parable is an ordinary story meant to communicate a spiritual or moral truth. Its usually employs a particular event in the past tense for a present situation without direct and obvious comparison. Key Principle in interpreting parable: Key Principle in interpreting parable: Examine the setting shows why parable is said Examine the setting shows why parable is said What is the main point of the parable? What is the main point of the parable? Is there examination/ application given? Is there examination/ application given? You can use the following methodology You can use the following methodology

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Hermeneutics12 Interpreting Parables Contd. Mark out details that have individual theological meaning and those that merely add colour to the story Mark out details that have individual theological meaning and those that merely add colour to the story Check context at three levels: Check context at three levels: The larger context within the parable is found The larger context within the parable is found The parable itself The parable itself The historical background of the details of the story The historical background of the details of the story NT parables has 3 audience: the crowd, the Pharisees & scribes and the disciples NT parables has 3 audience: the crowd, the Pharisees & scribes and the disciples Determine your reference points within the dynamics of the story- this is the power of parables Determine your reference points within the dynamics of the story- this is the power of parables Compare other gospel accounts for various emphasis. Mark out any repetition Compare other gospel accounts for various emphasis. Mark out any repetition

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Hermeneutics13 Interpreting an epistle NT Epistles fall in the following pattern: NT Epistles fall in the following pattern: a) Sender- name is usually given eg Paul b) Recipient given plus short description c) Greetings d) Thanks giving or prayer e) Body of the epistle reason of writing f) Closing commands or remarks (may miss) g) Conclusion- greetings to others and parting words

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Hermeneutics14 Interpreting an epistle contd. Get the context of writing for correct application. Get the context of writing for correct application. (Where can you get historical context of the epistles?) Differentiate the normative and the relative. What principle is behind the relative command (local not universal) Differentiate the normative and the relative. What principle is behind the relative command (local not universal) Get the argument presented by author and reasons given & how they are presented Get the argument presented by author and reasons given & how they are presented

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Hermeneutics15 Interpreting Poetry Psalms Note the strophic/ stanza patterns of the poem or hymn Note the strophic/ stanza patterns of the poem or hymn Group parallel lines Group parallel lines Study the metaphorical language used Study the metaphorical language used Note historical background of the psalm Note historical background of the psalm Study the psalm in terms of its type eg messianic psalms in terms of their historical purpose before noting their historical importance Study the psalm in terms of its type eg messianic psalms in terms of their historical purpose before noting their historical importance Study the psalm as a whole before drwaing conclusion Study the psalm as a whole before drwaing conclusion

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Hermeneutics16 Interpreting Poetry Contd. Wisdom (Proverbs, Job, Ecc., and riddles, allegories, etc) Note the form of wisdom eg war cry, messianic, lament or hymn/ praise song Note the form of wisdom eg war cry, messianic, lament or hymn/ praise song Is the context important Is the context important Is hyperbole used? Any other device? Is hyperbole used? Any other device? Obscure passages must be cross culturally applied to analogous situations today Obscure passages must be cross culturally applied to analogous situations today

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Hermeneutics17 Interpreting Apocalypse Forms & Characteristics Uses largely dreams and visions Uses largely dreams and visions An individual sees events as God unravel them An individual sees events as God unravel them Usually mediated eg by an angel to help the in understanding of the seer Usually mediated eg by an angel to help the in understanding of the seer Celestial beings and demonic powers are introduced as Gods messangers and agents against God respectively Celestial beings and demonic powers are introduced as Gods messangers and agents against God respectively Events concern the future as an end to present realities. Events concern the future as an end to present realities. Interpretation must consider peoples concern at the moment and eschatological concerns Interpretation must consider peoples concern at the moment and eschatological concerns Dreams and visions as well as symbolism and imagery are used Dreams and visions as well as symbolism and imagery are used

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Hermeneutics18 Interpreting Apocalypse contd. Common themes Gods sovereign reign in chaotic world Gods sovereign reign in chaotic world Protection of Gods people culminating in catastrophic judgment of the wicked and supernatural deliverance of Gods people Protection of Gods people culminating in catastrophic judgment of the wicked and supernatural deliverance of Gods people Temporal nature of the current affairs and victory of God and his people Temporal nature of the current affairs and victory of God and his people

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Hermeneutics19 Interpreting Apocalypse Contd. Purpose To inspire hope and comfort in times of suffering and persecution that prevailing conditions will surely end and Gods reign of justice and righteousness will come. God give his prophetic time table to comfort his people To inspire hope and comfort in times of suffering and persecution that prevailing conditions will surely end and Gods reign of justice and righteousness will come. God give his prophetic time table to comfort his people To encourage consistent faithfulness and obedience to God in times of trial and warn against apostasy To encourage consistent faithfulness and obedience to God in times of trial and warn against apostasy

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Hermeneutics20 Interpreting Apocalypse Contd. Symbolism were easily understood by the original audience and not their enemy Symbolism were easily understood by the original audience and not their enemy The general message is usually clear from the context. Focus more on the general message rather than the meaning of each symbol used. Dont pursue minors at the expense of the major The general message is usually clear from the context. Focus more on the general message rather than the meaning of each symbol used. Dont pursue minors at the expense of the major Unfamiliar things are used in real life to create mental pictures that gives the message better Unfamiliar things are used in real life to create mental pictures that gives the message better Refer to respectable Bible dictionary and commentary where need be Refer to respectable Bible dictionary and commentary where need be

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Hermeneutics21 Requirements for Effective Bible Interpretation The Interpreter Being regenerate 2nd Cor 4:4, Eph 2:1 Being regenerate 2nd Cor 4:4, Eph 2:1 Reverence and humility to Gods word. Avoid the author game Reverence and humility to Gods word. Avoid the author game Prayerful attitude and willingness to obey. It is of no benefit to know more unless you first do something with what you know already Selwyn Hughes Prayerful attitude and willingness to obey. It is of no benefit to know more unless you first do something with what you know already Selwyn Hughes Dependence on the Holy Spirit. Dependence on the Holy Spirit. Sound judgment and reason. Sound judgment and reason.

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Hermeneutics22 Requirements for Effective Bible interpretation Contd. Tools for interpretation Heart determined to study Gods word guided by the Spirit. Heart determined to study Gods word guided by the Spirit. A good bible translation or different version if possible A good bible translation or different version if possible Good reliable bible helps e.g. bible dictionary, commentary, atlas, etc Good reliable bible helps e.g. bible dictionary, commentary, atlas, etc Writing material Writing material Good grasp of the bible language if you can Good grasp of the bible language if you can

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Hermeneutics23 Test Your Interpretation Natural sense- the rule of simplicity. Natural sense- the rule of simplicity. Take the Bible simply first unless it contradict or does not make sense (interpret as a figure of speech if doesn't) Original sense- the rule of history. Original sense- the rule of history. Seek for the authors intended meaning General sense: the rule of harmony. General sense: the rule of harmony. The Bible does not contradict itself. Distinguish between moral and ceremonial laws. Distinguish between moral and ceremonial laws. Differentiate the descriptive from the prescriptive Differentiate the descriptive from the prescriptive

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Hermeneutics24Conclusion The process of understanding the scripture may appear hard and in deed it is. Thankfully, God does not expect us to be perfect overnight. We are asked to do our best to present ourselves as those approved, workmen who do not need to be ashamed, but those who correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2: 15). We need to soak the process with prayers for it may be hard and dry without the water of the Spirit.

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Hermeneutics25 Reference Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Illinois: InterVarsity Press. 1991. Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Illinois: InterVarsity Press. 1991. Terry, Milton S. Biblical Hermeneutics: A Treatise on the interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. 2nd ed. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. 1974. Terry, Milton S. Biblical Hermeneutics: A Treatise on the interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. 2nd ed. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. 1974. Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible. London: Scripture Union. 1989. Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible. London: Scripture Union. 1989.