Hermeneutics

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A Really Big Word for Interpretation

Hermeneutics (pronounced Herman-oo-ticks) includes the principles and tasks by which the meaning of the biblical text is determined. In short it is the science of interpretation. Before you totally dismiss it as a thing for theologians I must remind you that you are using it right now. By reading this far, and understanding what you have read, you have applied some basic principles of hermeneutics.

Hermeneutics is not just useful for Bible study, but is taught very heavily in law schools, if you can’t understand the legalese, you can’t be an attorney. Hermeneutics is important in understanding every day conversation. If you don’t know the context, or culture of conversation, the statement, “Killer Chicken!” could mean several different things. It could mean:

  • This chicken is poisoned.
  • A chicken is on the loose, and it is lethal.
  • This chicken is so good it makes you want to practice gluttony.

So what’s the big deal about hermeneutics? Hermeneutics defines how you view the entire world around you. The Hermeneutical process includes three basic steps:

  1. Observation
  2. Interpretation
  3. Application

These steps allow us to carefully understand the text. If you pull them out of order you can have a chaotic mess, and bad doctrine and theology. If you interpret first and observe later, you haven’t got much of a foundation. And if you leave something out of the process, you miss something too. To observe and apply means that you may not get the full meaning of the text.

First: Timothy Five, verse 23 says:

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. [1]

If you neglected to interpret, you may assume Paul is asking all Christians to drink some wine, not just water. Though this seems like a poor understanding, it is an easy step to make in more complex passages and verses.

Application

Observation being the first item on the list, you may be asking yourself why I started the first heading Application. The reason was to see if you were observing. Observing is not entirely difficult, but is very time consuming. Complete observation leads to better and hopefully accurate information about the item to be observed. There are 7 steps to good biblical interpretation:

  1. Prayer – if you aren’t abiding, you cannot fully understand the spiritual. No Spirit, no Spiritual understanding.
  2. The Big Questions – one of the simple things you learned in elementary school: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?
    1. Who is speaking? Who is involved? Who is it to? Who is mentioned?
    2. What is the subject or event?
    3. When does or will the event take place? Determine order of events.
    4. Where did or will this happen? Where was it said? Location, location, location.
    5. Why is it said or mentioned? Why would or will this happen? Why was it written?
    6. How will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?

    3. Look for key words and phrases. If a certain word is used, it is probably for a reason. No passage is without a topic; look for key words or phrases to develop your understanding of the passage.

    4. Look for lists!? Lists help you understand priorities, requirements and order of events. They can describe and define key words or phrases.

    5. Look for Contrasts and comparison. These little details make us understand deeper the actions of the godly and the wicked, the Fool and the wise, the man and the woman, the adult and the child, the list goes on and on and on and … (you get the idea.)

    6. Look for expressions of time. If this seems like a small detail, try studying prophecy without a grasp of time, it can be really confusing and it can lead to weird twists on what could be simple ideas.

    7. Look for terms of conclusion. “Why look for ends?” You may say. The answer is that it helps you capture the fronts and backs of thoughts. Studying a passage in the middle or end may lead to a weak grasp of what is truly being said.

    Interpretation

    Determining what the text means, is the actual act of interpretation. There are rules of interpretation, just like walking across the street. Remember in interpretation that the
    context rules. In walking across the street, context rules. You would not look for figurative language in the laws of Moses (usually). You would not look for a Greyhound Bus in the rolling dirt roads of an Amish farm. If you are reading prophecy, you look
    for words like ‘like’ or ‘as’. When you attempt to cross the street in New York, you watch for foreign taxi drivers who may take your life into their hands.

    Try to look for what the verses around a verse say (John 3:14-18, not just 3:16). It is also important to be aware of what the rest of a book may say (John). Be aware of the whole Bible and what it says about the subject or topic (Genesis through Revelation). Other areas that are important to be aware of are culture, history, and time sequence. These details can help build a better understanding of what is going on.

    Remember that scripture never contradicts itself. There are places of apparent contradiction, but with a closer look, you will find this is not the case. God breathed the scripture into existence, writing it through authors. It is perfect like He is. The Bible contains truth, 100% pure truth. Others in the world claim truth and enlightenment, the Bible is 100% truth, and there are no errors.

    Remember also to try to interpret and understand obscure or difficult passages in the light of more understandable passages. Things like the Nephilim in Genesis 6 are obscure and may not be just as simple as man-demons. Remember context rules.

    Interpret Scripture Literally!? This is where 100% of bad doctrine comes from. If the Bible is not written in a straight, grammatical, historical, intentional form, then it may be open
    for multiple interpretations. There are types of writing in the Bible that are figurative, or that use figurative speech. This is normal in all languages, remember literal is how God gave it to
    man. Look for a single meaning in a passage. There are times when multiple meanings may be derived at a single glance. Break the passage down. Diagram the sentence(s) if you have to, pointing out the nouns, verbs, etc. No passage has multiple meaning.

    If a passage seems obscure or convoluted, try to get information from a good commentary, look into the original language if the tools are available. Remember that each word in the English language has a context, and in that context a certain meaning, the same is true for the original language. In word studies, don’t super impose modern words with roots in an ancient word to mean the same thing. For example, Dunemous is the Greek word for ‘power,’ we get our modern word dynamite from that Greek word, this doesn’t mean that God’s power is like dynamite. This means that dynamite is powerful, and God is powerful. God is far more powerful than dynamite.

    Application (The Second Time)

    Application may be the most challenging part of the Christian walk. God’s word challenges us as humans, with sinful nature built into our bodies, to moment by moment make the decision to abide in His Holy Spirit. God’s word is good for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

    In teaching, God’s word is valuable for forming doctrine, an established teaching of the Bible. Because the Bible is 100% true, doctrine should be the same. Beware of bad doctrine from any teacher, only Jesus was perfect. Take time to check teaching against the word of God. I know that I have taught errant theology in the past, before I knew better theology. Each pastor should tell you this, it is part of our maturing in Christ; this is why we study, to improve our doctrine.

    Reproof exposes areas in our thinking and theology that may be in error. Look for ways a passage may correct you in your attitude, your lifestyle, your thoughts and your relationship with God. God’s desire is to be in relationship with YOU! Don’t miss an opportunity to grow closer to the Almighty God of the universe.

    Correction, probably best restated in the word repentance, the act of truly changing our minds, hearts, and lives. If there are issues that you know you must correct, stay in prayer (I Thes. 5:17), let others know so that they may pray for you, and constantly ask yourself if you
    are abiding. Remember God’s will is not a maze of right and wrong turns, but a step-by-step fellowship with Him.

    God’s word is a handbook for training in righteousness!? God equips us throughout his word with:

    • Teachings
    • Commands
    • Promises
    • Exhortations
    • Warnings
    • Godly examples of the lives in scripture.

    When looking for application ask yourself some basic questions:

    1. What does this passage teach? To whom was it written, does it apply to me? If not you, then who? If a teaching is from the Old Testament, does it have a New Testament replacement (Remember the time aspect)?

    2. Does this section expose error in my thinking or beliefs, or behavior?

    3. What is God’s instruction to me as a child in the church?

    Watch Out For…

    • Cultural standards instead of biblical standards.
    • Applying a passage to biblical truth, without it really being a verse on the subject (twisting the scripture.)
    • Applying scripture with a biased opinion for the past. If you have been taught something. Reevaluate your doctrine it will help you grow. All human teachers teach error. That doesn’t mean that all human teaching is error, but that we still make mistakes. Self check-ups are good.

    Happy studying, and may the Lord bless your time in his word.

    [1]
    The New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update    , (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1996.