HERMENEUTICS

The sin qua non of

all verbal communication
Everyone practices hermeneutics;
they may not do so self-consciously,
or with skill, but all practice it
intuitively as creatures of language

Communication Theory 101

How does verbal communication happen?

THE NEED FOR BIBLICAL

HERMENEUTICS
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed,
handling accurately the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15
NAS)
Whats involved in the accurate handling of Gods
word of truth? the work of hermeneutics

4 Basic Reasons for Hermeneutics

It teaches principles that guide us in
interpreting Scripture. See Ac 8:30-31
It teaches skills that help answer difficult
questions about the Bible. Sample examples
and contradiction below.
It teaches us to stand on Gods Word, but not
stumble on/over it. See Isa 55:11.
It teaches us how to bridge the gaps between
us and biblical times. Whats in the gaps?

Solve this apparent contradiction

Ezekiel 18:32 "For I have no pleasure in
the death of anyone who dies, declares the
Lord GOD.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the
LORD Is the death of His godly ones.
What added knowledge brings resolution?

The Importance of Scripture

Scripture is an essential part of Gods
medium of salvation
John 5:39 You search the Scriptures
because you think that in them you have
eternal life; it is these that testify about
Me;
2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood
you have known the sacred writings which
are able to give you the wisdom that leads
to salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.

Importance of Scripture
Scripture is eternal truth
Matthew 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until
heaven and earth pass away, not the
smallest letter or stroke shall pass away
from the Law, until all is accomplished.
Scripture is inviolable
John 10:35 "If he called them gods, to
whom the word of God came (and the
Scripture cannot be broken), lit. cannot be
destroyed , done away with, or abolished

The PRIMARY NEED for

Hermeneutics
To bridge the gap between the our
minds and the Divine mind that
lies behind the inspired text of
Scripture.
To know what God has said in His
Word.
To distinguish the voice of man
from the voice of God.
NOTE: In the Church not all that is
prefaced with "thus saith the Lord"

The Need for Hermeneutics

Revival of Church life always brings in its train a
richer understanding of the Scriptures What did
Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us
today? How can he help us to be good Christians
in a modern world? In the last resort, what we
want to know is not, what would this or that man,
or this or that Church have of us, but what Jesus
Christ himself wants of us. When we go to church
and listen to the sermon, what we want to hear is
his Word. (emphasis mine)
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of
Discipleship)

The SECONDARY NEED for

Hermeneutics
To bridge the gap between our minds
and the minds of the biblical writers in
order to understand the meaning of the
inspired text.
How wide is the gap that exists between
God and humans? Can it be bridged?
See illustration
There are actually a no. of gaps
between us and the biblical authors?
See illustration
Culture History Language
Geography

The Infinite Chasm unbridgeable unless

The Ontological Chasm

Creator --- Creature

Spirit
--- Flesh
Infinite
--- Finite
Eternal
--- Temporal
Holy --- Sinful
The ontological gap is one of infinite
qualitative distinction (Kierkegaard) and
cannot be bridged unless

The Bridgeable Hermeneutical Gap

What separates the reader
from the biblical author?

Whats in the gap?

Culture - cultural
History historical
Language linguistic
Geography location
Biological plant and
animal
Philosophical/Ideologi
cal

Kinds of Gaps
Cultural - (social, political,
economic, religious, customs and
practices, etc.) E.g., Parable of
the Ten Virgins (1st cent. Jewish
Wedding); Parable of the Good
Samaritan (1st. cent Jewish
sectarianism); The widows mite
(1st cent. Jewish Temple worship
and support)- We often read
Scripture with our own cultural
lenses.

Kinds of Gaps
Historical - "For Jews have
nothing to do with the
Samaritans." Jn 4:9 (history of JewSamaritan)
Linguistic - Words like "love,
peace, saints, light, darkness,
flesh, world, word," etc. Note:
Many common biblical words are
often packed with new meaning
because the author is trying to
speak to an audience that uses it
in a certain way. E.g., mystery

Kinds of Gaps
geographical - A certain man went
down to Jericho" (the elevation,
topography, caves, cliffs and a
twisting road) made it an ideal
road for an ambush. (See slide)
Audience would have equated
these words with danger.
Contemporary equivalent: A
certain white man got off the
Verrazano Bridge and found
himself on Flat Bush Avenue in

Kinds of Gaps
biological - (flora and fauna - plants
and animals) the mountain goat,
cedars of Lebanon, rose of Sharon, oak
of Mamre etc.
Job 39:1 "Do you know when the
mountain goats (the Ibex) give birth? Do
you watch when the doe bears her
fawn? Do you count the months till they
bear? Do you know the time they give
birth?
philosophical - Gnosticism (Col.)
Stoicism (Pauline ethical lists) Platonism
(Heb. and Johns contrasting of polar
opposites dualism: flesh spirit; above

Results of Bridging the

Hermeneutical Gaps
The Reader/Interpreter gains access to the
world of the biblical author, his worldview.
better understands the cultural-historical
context surrounding the text of Scripture.
is enabled to think the authors thoughts
after him understands better the
relationship of the author to his world
through the words selected to express those
thoughts.