Chapter 1

1) Biblical hermeneutics: a) Common word in Theology: Hermeus(mythological) family of greek words hermenuo(interpretExplain). The interpretation or explanation of some message. b) Hermeneutics has now expanded to most academic subjects. Interpreting the meaning of the objects that they study. c) General Hermeneutics: Writing/structure/grammar etc. i) The agreement of scripture throughout and the application of systematic theology to narrow all of the topics throughout the metanarrative. ii) Preparation: before interpreting scripture. Studying the bible over and over. Prep is inevitable. No one ever comes to the bible as a blank slate. We all have pre-conceived ideas about what a passage is trying to say. Are these ideas obstacles? How do we prep to interpret. (1) The understanding of principles(tools/material) to dissect the passage. iii) Investigation: Deeper meaning into passages. Leaving the modern world behind and grasp the original environment when they were written. (1) Original meaning (2) Original language (3) Original Audience. iv) Application: connecting original meaning to contemporary audience. d) Scientific Hermeneutics: scientific exercise by theologians. i) Legitimacy biblical roots: (1) All cultures have accomplishments, much like our age. (2) Logical/Factual analysis: Paul speaking of Abraham being counted as righteous not because of his labor but because of his faith. Faith was credited as righteousness. ii) Historical examples: Patristic Period: 185-254 : Origins(Theologian): (1) Augustine: careful factual/rational analysis. Thomas Aquinas: rationalism/philosophy. Capture of Constantinople documents brought to the west. Renaissance theologians analyzed the documents that they acquired. Erasmus(1466-1536). Protestant reformation: rejected tradition, accepted deep biblical analysis. Sola scriptura. The bible is the only unquestionable authority. The only infallible interpreter is the bible itself. (a) Sola Scriptura: All doctrine was to be defined by the bible itself. (b) The Enlightenment took hermeneutics further by rationalism. (c) Majority: Critical Biblical Studies: those who have rejected Protestant(consider only reason and scientific analysis) view of Sola Scriptura. All decisions are brought under scientific analysis and not under biblical analysis. (d) Modern Evangelical Biblical Studies: Sola Scriptura. Do not reject deep analysis but when the analysis rejects the biblical perspective, they follow the teaching of the bible.

(i) Scriptures contain wisdom and insight that a man cannot wholly understand. The bible is supernatural wisdom that cannot be produced by human reason. To be count as weak and of no understanding is deep because we can then seek God as the source of revelation. iii) Priorities for the processes of interpretation: Processes of preparation. (1) Factual and methodological learning is important: Learning principles that work the intellect. (2) Priorities for investigation: (a) Exigisis: Derived from: to pull out of a text: Principles that will lead to Exegetical. (b) Isigisis: to put into:to read meaning into a passage. (Avoid) e) Application: i) Oftentimes only focused on moral orientations that will direct the contemporary reader to live a better life. ii) Overemphasis mechanical intellectual facts/principles. 2) How scientific interpretation should be included. a) Devotional Herm: as the living word of God himself. i) Biblical roots: (1) Followers are to read it AS the word of God in the presence of God. A supernatural experience. Hebrews 4:12 Psalm 95 The Word of God. Hebrews 4:7(quotes the same psalm). The words: As the Holy Spirit says. Scripture and its depths, as a sharp sword. In this passage the scripture says that the bible is the one that analyses us instead of us analyzing the scriptures. ii) Historical examples: Origen of Alexandria: (1) Lectiodivina: used by many theologians(misused by the catholics who claimed new revelation) (a) Reading (b) Pondering (c) Prayer (d) Quietly waiting for God to open up the scriptures. (2) John Calvin/Jonathan Edwards believers in Lectiodivina. Believed deeply in scientific interpretation but never lifted science over supernatural opening of the scriptures. iii) Shapes priorities(scientifically): (1) Not loosing sight of Devotional Hermeneutics. (2) Priorities for Preparation (a) James 4:8 draw near to God and He will draw near to you the approaching of Gods people to the Tabernacle. James reflect the responsibility of man drawing near to God so that He in turns comes to us. Sanctification We have to rid ourselves of everything that hinders communion with God. (i) Conceptual: conform our beliefs to Gods word. Not seeking for the bible to confirm to our beliefs. (ii) Behavioral: Obedience. Repentance. (iii) Emotional: attitudes, feelings and ideas about God. Warnings against pride.

3) Original meaning: a) Shaping our investigation to be drawn to God. Original experience from the author. i) Conceptual: Concepts that the authors and God intended to communicate to the listeners. Avoid speculations. How does the author explain nearness? ii) Behavioral: how the authors behavior and listeners behavior affected their relation to God. iii) Emotional: authors oftentimes expressed their humanity with pain, doubt, hurt etc. b) Application: applying as God intended. We do not treat the bible as an outdated book i) Conceptual: How God is impacting out concepts of Himself. The Spirit of God confirms/enhances our spirit as we seek Him. ii) Behavioral: How is our behavior transformed by seeking God. Is God molding our Spiritual character according to His Son? iii) Emotional: How are the emotions moved as we draw near to Him/as we study certain passages? THINK FEEL DO.