1 Processes of

Interpretation I. Hermeneutics

II. Preparation

IV. Application

III. Investigation

Hermeneutics“the study of meaning”

OlderTendencies

The study of rules for

interpretingmeaning

~Ermh/j RecentTendencies

The study of all influences on the processes of interpreting

meaning

Generaland

Biblical

Definition of Hermeneutics (1.1)

Hermeneutical Spiral of Repeated

EncountersBetween Text and Reader

Moving toward Better

UnderstandingPhysical,

Cultural,Spiritual

Preparations for

Interpretation

Illumination by

Holy Spirit

Exploration of

Original Meaning

ContemporaryAppropriation

of Text

Preparation Application

InvestigationInvestigation

Constant Interdependence

Hermeneutical Spiral (1.2)

1 Processes of

Interpretation I. Hermeneutics

II. Preparation

IV. Application

III. Investigation

Objectivist Hermeneutic

Objective readers let the text speak for itself.

Interpreters must prepare by learning guidelines and developing skills that

enable them to be objective observers of a text’s meaning.

Preparation

Objectivist Preparation (1.3)

Subjectivist Hermeneutic

Subjective readers give meaning to texts from their own beliefs.

Interpreters must prepare by learning about themselves and by being ready

to express their own outlooks ininterpretation.

Preparation

Subjectivist Preparation (1.4)

Authority-Dialogue HermeneuticPreparation Interpreters

must be more aware

and responsiblewith their

predispositions.

Readers alwaysbring enabling and disabling

predispositions to texts.

Preparation Interpreters must

learn methodsthat acknowledge

a text’s communicative

power.

Readers genuinely seek

to listen to texts as

authoritative.

Authority-Dialogue Prep. (1.5)

1 Processes of

Interpretation I. Hermeneutics

II. Preparation

IV. Application

III. Investigation

Common Practice:

Treat Bible as Timeless

More Responsible Practice:“due use of ordinary means” (WCF 1.7)

Sensus Literalis

Writer Document Audience

Original Historical Context

Why the Writer?

Organic Inspiration

(e.g. Matt 22:43-44; 2 Pet 3:15-16)

Why the Audience?

Divine Accommodation

(e.g. Gal 1:2; Luke 1:3; Jhn 1:38)

15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand.

2 Pet 3:15-16

43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 44 "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' 45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?“

Matt 22:43-45To the churches in Galatia:

Gal. 1:2Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Luke 1:3Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher),

John 1:38

Importance of Investigation (1.6)

Writer Document Audience Ancient World of OT and NTWriter Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

How can we hope to understand the

original meaning?

Great Differences In Worldviews,

Technology, Social Values,

Language, Religion

Challenge of Investigation (1.7)

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

SameGod

Divine Immutability inCharacter, Counsel, Covenant

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Heb 1:11-12; cf. Ps 102:25-27)

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. (Heb 6:17)

. . . the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

Same World

Historical Background of Current Events (Josh 1:1-12:24)

Analogous Circumstances (Exod 19:1-24:18; 1 Chr 29:1-9)

Same World

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Same Kind of PeopleImage of God (Gen 1:27; 9:6)

Fallen in Sin (Rom 3:9-18; 1 Cor 11:7)

Divided between Lost and Redeemed(Col 3:10)

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Adequate Investigation

of Original Meaning is Possible.

Did You Realize?The distance of a text

not only makes it difficult to understand,

but also enhances its ability to change us.

Possibility of Investigation (1.8)

1 Processes of

Interpretation I. Hermeneutics

II. Preparation

IV. Application

III. Investigation

Writer Document AudienceAncient World of OT and NT

ContemporaryWorld

Divine Design of

FutureApplicability

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:17-19These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

1 Cor. 10:11

Necessity of Application (1.9)

Writer Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

Great Differences inWorldviews, Technology, Social Values,

Language, Religion

How can we hope to

apply Scripture to our day?

Challenge of Application (1.10)

Writer Document Audience

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Personal Adjustments

Cultural Adjustments

Epochal Adjustments

Epochal AdjustmentsAlthough God is immutable, in

application we must account for the fact that his providential care for the world varied from epoch to epoch in Redemptive History.

Cultural AdjustmentsAlthough the Scriptures apply to all places and times, we must account for cultural variations when applying Scripture. ORDEMEP

ROGRESSO

Personal AdjustmentsAlthough the Scriptures apply to all people, we must account for the variations among individuals and groups of people as We apply the Scriptures.

Writer Document Audience

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Personal Adjustments

Cultural Adjustments

Epochal Adjustments

Possibility for Application (1.11)

Through these connections and adjustments, we can

adequately apply the Scriptures to our day.