The Messenger ofthe Olympian Gods in Greek Mythology~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~From this name is derived the term

that concerns our subject today

The Messenger ofthe Olympian Gods in Greek Mythology~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~From this name is derived the term

that concerns our subject today Herm

es

Hermes

Tony E. Denton, 6/08.ASiteForTheLord.com

Hermes

Hermes

Herme-neutic

s

Herme-neutic

sBiblical

Biblical

The Science of Interpretation

The Science of Interpretation

When it comes to the Bible, diverse in-When it comes to the Bible, diverse in-terpretations aren’t the fault of the text terpretations aren’t the fault of the text or even the entire Bible; they’reor even the entire Bible; they’re due todue to

differentdifferent methodsmethods of approach, to the of approach, to the dissimilar lenses we each look through, dissimilar lenses we each look through, for we all have our individual biases due for we all have our individual biases due to a variety of backgrounds. However…to a variety of backgrounds. However…

There are currently two primary There are currently two primary methods of biblical interpretation:methods of biblical interpretation:

The Contemporary—Literal Approach The Contemporary—Literal Approach && The Historical—Grammatical ApproachThe Historical—Grammatical Approach..

The Contemporary—Literal Approach

By this I mean what D. R. Dungan said in his By this I mean what D. R. Dungan said in his book simply called book simply called HermeneuticsHermeneutics, i.e. that it’s , i.e. that it’s most commonly employed by dogmatists in most commonly employed by dogmatists in order to maintain a view that cannot be sup-order to maintain a view that cannot be sup-

ported in any other way. It makes [practically] ported in any other way. It makes [practically] all the language of the Bible literal. It treats all the language of the Bible literal. It treats the Word of God as if it were an essay on the Word of God as if it were an essay on

chemistry or mechanicschemistry or mechanics ((p. 79p. 79).).

The Contemporary—Literal Approach

By this I mean what D. R. Dungan said in his By this I mean what D. R. Dungan said in his book simply called book simply called HermeneuticsHermeneutics, i.e. that it’s , i.e. that it’s most commonly employed by dogmatists in most commonly employed by dogmatists in order to maintain a view that cannot be sup-order to maintain a view that cannot be sup-

ported in any other way. It makes [practically] ported in any other way. It makes [practically] all the language of the Bible literal. It treats all the language of the Bible literal. It treats the Word of God as if it were an essay on the Word of God as if it were an essay on

chemistry or mechanicschemistry or mechanics ((p. 79p. 79).).

If these literalists If these literalists would read Oriental would read Oriental writings on any other subject, they would be writings on any other subject, they would be convinced that much of it is highly figurative; convinced that much of it is highly figurative; but, coming to the Bible, it must be made to but, coming to the Bible, it must be made to bow to a gross materialism [i.e. literalism] bow to a gross materialism [i.e. literalism]

and take a yoke upon its neck that will make and take a yoke upon its neck that will make it the merest slave of the merciless task-it the merest slave of the merciless task-master who allots the tale [master who allots the tale [i.e. a specific i.e. a specific

numbernumber] of bricks, and will be satisfied with ] of bricks, and will be satisfied with nothing else. nothing else. [Continue [Continue ]]

If these literalists If these literalists would read Oriental would read Oriental writings on any other subject, they would be writings on any other subject, they would be convinced that much of it is highly figurative; convinced that much of it is highly figurative; but, coming to the Bible, it must be made to but, coming to the Bible, it must be made to bow to a gross materialism [i.e. literalism] bow to a gross materialism [i.e. literalism]

and take a yoke upon its neck that will make and take a yoke upon its neck that will make it the merest slave of the merciless task-it the merest slave of the merciless task-master who allots the tale [master who allots the tale [i.e. a specific i.e. a specific

numbernumber] of bricks, and will be satisfied with ] of bricks, and will be satisfied with nothing else. nothing else. [Continue [Continue ]]

These exegetes don’t pretend that [These exegetes don’t pretend that [according according

to to Psalm 22Psalm 22] David’s heart melted within him ] David’s heart melted within him like wax; that all his bones were out of joint like wax; that all his bones were out of joint and staring him in the face; that he was a and staring him in the face; that he was a

worm and no man; for they have no theory worm and no man; for they have no theory dependent on the literal use of these figures. dependent on the literal use of these figures. But let their theory be involved for a moment, But let their theory be involved for a moment, and then, if the literal meaning will avail them and then, if the literal meaning will avail them

anything, they will use it and deny that any anything, they will use it and deny that any other is possibleother is possible ((p. 80, italics minep. 80, italics mine). The query ). The query should be, should be, What does the writer mean? Not What does the writer mean? Not

what can we what can we makemake him mean? him mean? ( (p. 81p. 81).).[Continue [Continue ]]

These exegetes don’t pretend that [These exegetes don’t pretend that [according according

to to Psalm 22Psalm 22] David’s heart melted within him ] David’s heart melted within him like wax; that all his bones were out of joint like wax; that all his bones were out of joint and staring him in the face; that he was a and staring him in the face; that he was a

worm and no man; for they have no theory worm and no man; for they have no theory dependent on the literal use of these figures. dependent on the literal use of these figures. But let their theory be involved for a moment, But let their theory be involved for a moment, and then, if the literal meaning will avail them and then, if the literal meaning will avail them

anything, they will use it and deny that any anything, they will use it and deny that any other is possibleother is possible ((p. 80, italics minep. 80, italics mine). The query ). The query should be, should be, What does the writer mean? Not What does the writer mean? Not

what can we what can we makemake him mean? him mean? ( (p. 81p. 81).).[Continue [Continue ]]

Much of the Bible is written in language Much of the Bible is written in language highly figurative. And not to recognize this highly figurative. And not to recognize this fact and treat the language according to the fact and treat the language according to the

figures employed is to fail entirely in the figures employed is to fail entirely in the exegesis. This, of course, doesn’t imply that exegesis. This, of course, doesn’t imply that

God has said one thing while He meant God has said one thing while He meant another, but simply that He has spoken in the another, but simply that He has spoken in the language of men and language of men and in the style of those to in the style of those to

whom the revelations were madewhom the revelations were made. No one . No one reading the Propheciesreading the Prophecies or theor the Psalms without Psalms without recognizing this fact will be able to arrive at recognizing this fact will be able to arrive at any reliable conclusions whatever as to their any reliable conclusions whatever as to their

meaningmeaning ((p. 82, italics/underscore minep. 82, italics/underscore mine).).

Much of the Bible is written in language Much of the Bible is written in language highly figurative. And not to recognize this highly figurative. And not to recognize this fact and treat the language according to the fact and treat the language according to the

figures employed is to fail entirely in the figures employed is to fail entirely in the exegesis. This, of course, doesn’t imply that exegesis. This, of course, doesn’t imply that

God has said one thing while He meant God has said one thing while He meant another, but simply that He has spoken in the another, but simply that He has spoken in the language of men and language of men and in the style of those to in the style of those to

whom the revelations were madewhom the revelations were made. No one . No one reading the Propheciesreading the Prophecies or theor the Psalms without Psalms without recognizing this fact will be able to arrive at recognizing this fact will be able to arrive at any reliable conclusions whatever as to their any reliable conclusions whatever as to their

meaningmeaning ((p. 82, italics/underscore minep. 82, italics/underscore mine).).

Before looking ata prime example of

this type of literalism,let’s briefly consider

the four main views ofbiblical end-times.

Before looking ata prime example of

this type of literalism,let’s briefly consider

the four main views ofbiblical end-times.

The Four ‘Main’ Views of Biblical Eschatology

Premillennialism (lit. “before [at the beginning of] the [literal] millennium” of Rev. 20 Jesus is expected to come)

Literal 1,000-Year Reign of Jesus in Jerusalem

Judgment

Postmillennialism (lit. “after [as the end of] the [symbolic] millennium” of Rev. 20 Jesus is expected to come)

Symbolic 1,000-Year Reign of Jesus from Heaven

Judgment

Amillennialism (lit. “no [literal] millennium” in Rev. 20 [in this sense, I’m an amillennialist]; Jesus is expected to come at the end of a symbolic 1,000-year reign)

Symbolic 1,000-Year Reign of Jesus from Heaven Judgment

Preterism (lit. “past” fulfillment, whether partially or completely) The following time-line is based on full preterism, partly because partial preterism seems to be somewhat of a combination of preterism and/or postmillennialism & amillennialism.

Symbolic 1,000-Year Reign Eternal Reign of the Vindicated and Crowned King Jesus

The Kingdom was Established in Its Fullness;The Judgment & Resurrection Occurred;Satan & Hades were Cast into Gehenna.

AD 70

Tribulation Period

Comes

Jesus

Jesus

Comes

Jesus

Comes

A prime example of the contemporary-A prime example of the contemporary-literalistic mode of interpretation is the literalistic mode of interpretation is the

premillennialist, who, like the Jews, premillennialist, who, like the Jews, construes numerous biblical statements in a construes numerous biblical statements in a

materialistic manner, believing that Jesus materialistic manner, believing that Jesus will come back and set up a kingdom in will come back and set up a kingdom in

Jerusalem and physically reign from thereJerusalem and physically reign from therefor exactly 1,000 years. Furthermore, the for exactly 1,000 years. Furthermore, the

premillennialist beats the amillennialist over premillennialist beats the amillennialist over the head with the head with Cooper’s Golden Rule of Cooper’s Golden Rule of

InterpretationInterpretation. Why? Because the amil claims . Why? Because the amil claims to adhere to it just as does the premil, but the to adhere to it just as does the premil, but the amil isn’t as “consistent” in its application as amil isn’t as “consistent” in its application as

the premil and others.the premil and others.

Here’s Here’s Cooper’s Golden Rule of Cooper’s Golden Rule of InterpretationInterpretation: : When the plain sense of When the plain sense of

Scripture makes common sense, seek no Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its other sense; therefore, take every word at its

primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, unless the facts of the immediate context,

studied in the light of related passages and studied in the light of related passages and axiomaticaxiomatic and fundamentaland fundamental truthstruths [ [italics mineitalics mine] ]

clearly indicate otherwiseclearly indicate otherwise.*.*

An abridged and dangerous form of this very An abridged and dangerous form of this very beneficial rule is this: beneficial rule is this: If the plain sense If the plain sense

makes good sense, seek no other sense, lest makes good sense, seek no other sense, lest it result in nonsenseit result in nonsense. Why is this dangerous? . Why is this dangerous?

Obviously because it leaves off the critical Obviously because it leaves off the critical exception to his rule; and, sadly, not knowing exception to his rule; and, sadly, not knowing

any better, this condensed form is all that any better, this condensed form is all that most interpreters seem to desire & adhere to.most interpreters seem to desire & adhere to.

While expounding on Cooper’s rule, another While expounding on Cooper’s rule, another writer wrote that writer wrote that “Literal” is used to empha-“Literal” is used to empha-

size the thought that every word must first be size the thought that every word must first be takentaken literally,literally, expressingexpressing thethe exactexact thoughtthought of of

the authorthe author when it was used when it was used ((italics mineitalics mine).*).*

This brings up an important thought about This brings up an important thought about the word “literal” itself: it comes from the the word “literal” itself: it comes from the

same root as “literature” and “literary,” im-same root as “literature” and “literary,” im-plying that to take any word, clause, or plying that to take any word, clause, or

sentence sentence trulytruly literally would be to literally would be to interpret it interpret it according to its literary contextaccording to its literary context, i.e. in , i.e. in

harmony with the type of literature it is with harmony with the type of literature it is with regard to its time and place, which leads to regard to its time and place, which leads to

the next interpretive approach. the next interpretive approach.

The Historical—Grammatical Approach

By this I mean what Milton S. Terry said in By this I mean what Milton S. Terry said in his renowned and most highly respected 19his renowned and most highly respected 19thth century treatise on century treatise on Biblical HermeneuticsBiblical Hermeneutics, i.e. , i.e. that this approachthat this approach is theis the one one which most fully which most fully commends itself to the judgment and consci-commends itself to the judgment and consci-ence of Christian scholars. Its fundamental ence of Christian scholars. Its fundamental principle is to gather from the Scriptures principle is to gather from the Scriptures

themselves the precise meaning which the themselves the precise meaning which the writers intended to convey.… writers intended to convey.… [Continue [Continue ]]

The Historical—Grammatical Approach

By this I mean what Milton S. Terry said in By this I mean what Milton S. Terry said in his renowned and most highly respected 19his renowned and most highly respected 19thth century treatise on century treatise on Biblical HermeneuticsBiblical Hermeneutics, i.e. , i.e. that this approachthat this approach is theis the one one which most fully which most fully commends itself to the judgment and consci-commends itself to the judgment and consci-ence of Christian scholars. Its fundamental ence of Christian scholars. Its fundamental principle is to gather from the Scriptures principle is to gather from the Scriptures

themselves the precise meaning which the themselves the precise meaning which the writers intended to convey.… writers intended to convey.… [Continue [Continue ]]

The interpreter The interpreter will inquire into will inquire into the circum-the circum-stancesstances under which [the author] wrote, under which [the author] wrote, the the manners and customs of his agemanners and customs of his age, and , and the the purpose or object which he had in viewpurpose or object which he had in view

((p. 173, italics minep. 173, italics mine). In other words….). In other words….

The interpreter The interpreter will inquire into will inquire into the circum-the circum-stancesstances under which [the author] wrote, under which [the author] wrote, the the manners and customs of his agemanners and customs of his age, and , and the the purpose or object which he had in viewpurpose or object which he had in view

((p. 173, italics minep. 173, italics mine). In other words….). In other words….

Not only does this approach take the Not only does this approach take the firstfirst part of Cooper’s rule to heart (i.e. part of Cooper’s rule to heart (i.e. when the when the plain sense makes common sense, seek no plain sense makes common sense, seek no other senseother sense), but it also takes the ), but it also takes the secondsecond

part of it to heart (i.e., as when judging an in-part of it to heart (i.e., as when judging an in-dividual in a courtroom setting, it gathers dividual in a courtroom setting, it gathers

and studies all related evidence from the en-and studies all related evidence from the en-tirety of God’s revelation before making a tirety of God’s revelation before making a

hard and fast ruling on any given passage).hard and fast ruling on any given passage).

Not only does this approach take the Not only does this approach take the firstfirst part of Cooper’s rule to heart (i.e. part of Cooper’s rule to heart (i.e. when the when the plain sense makes common sense, seek no plain sense makes common sense, seek no other senseother sense), but it also takes the ), but it also takes the secondsecond

part of it to heart (i.e., as when judging an in-part of it to heart (i.e., as when judging an in-dividual in a courtroom setting, it gathers dividual in a courtroom setting, it gathers

and studies all related evidence from the en-and studies all related evidence from the en-tirety of God’s revelation before making a tirety of God’s revelation before making a

hard and fast ruling on any given passage).hard and fast ruling on any given passage).

As Terry appropriately wrote, As Terry appropriately wrote, The Scriptures The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a world of the Old and New Testaments are a world by themselves. Although written at various by themselves. Although written at various

times and devoted to many different themes, times and devoted to many different themes, taken together they constitute a self-inter-taken together they constitute a self-inter-preting book. The old rule, therefore, that preting book. The old rule, therefore, that

“Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture” “Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture” is a most important principle in sacred is a most important principle in sacred

hermeneutics hermeneutics ((p. 222p. 222). Why else would the ). Why else would the inspired apostle Paul himself allude to the inspired apostle Paul himself allude to the

Old Testament Old Testament 5050 times and quote from it times and quote from it 3030 times in his 13-chapter letter to the Hebrews?times in his 13-chapter letter to the Hebrews?

As Terry appropriately wrote, As Terry appropriately wrote, The Scriptures The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a world of the Old and New Testaments are a world by themselves. Although written at various by themselves. Although written at various

times and devoted to many different themes, times and devoted to many different themes, taken together they constitute a self-inter-taken together they constitute a self-inter-preting book. The old rule, therefore, that preting book. The old rule, therefore, that

“Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture” “Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture” is a most important principle in sacred is a most important principle in sacred

hermeneutics hermeneutics ((p. 222p. 222). Why else would the ). Why else would the inspired apostle Paul himself allude to the inspired apostle Paul himself allude to the

Old Testament Old Testament 5050 times and quote from it times and quote from it 3030 times in his 13-chapter letter to the Hebrews?times in his 13-chapter letter to the Hebrews?

In an earlier section of his book, Terry wrote In an earlier section of his book, Terry wrote that a that a most important method of ascertaining most important method of ascertaining

the the usus loquendiusus loquendi [ [i.e. the usage of a word or i.e. the usage of a word or phrase in the author’s timephrase in the author’s time] is an extensive and ] is an extensive and

careful comparison of similar or parallel careful comparison of similar or parallel passages of Scripture. When a writer has passages of Scripture. When a writer has

treated a given subject in different parts of treated a given subject in different parts of his writings, or when different writers have his writings, or when different writers have treated the same subject, it’s both justice to treated the same subject, it’s both justice to the writers and important to interpretation to the writers and important to interpretation to

collect and compare all that’s written.... A collect and compare all that’s written.... A subject may be only incidentally noticed in subject may be only incidentally noticed in

one place, but be treated with extensive one place, but be treated with extensive fullness in another fullness in another ((p. 186p. 186).).

In an earlier section of his book, Terry wrote In an earlier section of his book, Terry wrote that a that a most important method of ascertaining most important method of ascertaining

the the usus loquendiusus loquendi [ [i.e. the usage of a word or i.e. the usage of a word or phrase in the author’s timephrase in the author’s time] is an extensive and ] is an extensive and

careful comparison of similar or parallel careful comparison of similar or parallel passages of Scripture. When a writer has passages of Scripture. When a writer has

treated a given subject in different parts of treated a given subject in different parts of his writings, or when different writers have his writings, or when different writers have treated the same subject, it’s both justice to treated the same subject, it’s both justice to the writers and important to interpretation to the writers and important to interpretation to

collect and compare all that’s written.... A collect and compare all that’s written.... A subject may be only incidentally noticed in subject may be only incidentally noticed in

one place, but be treated with extensive one place, but be treated with extensive fullness in another fullness in another ((p. 186p. 186).).

In still another even earlier section, Terry In still another even earlier section, Terry said that said that The whole Bible is a divinely con-The whole Bible is a divinely con-structed unity, and there is danger that, in structed unity, and there is danger that, in

studying one part to the comparative neglect studying one part to the comparative neglect of the other, we may fall into one-sided and of the other, we may fall into one-sided and

erroneous methods of expositionerroneous methods of exposition((p. 18; e.g., cf. p. 18; e.g., cf. Mat. 22:23-33Mat. 22:23-33 w/ w/ Luke 20:27-38Luke 20:27-38).).

Besides using the Bible to explain the Bible Besides using the Bible to explain the Bible whenever possible…whenever possible…

In still another even earlier section, Terry In still another even earlier section, Terry said that said that The whole Bible is a divinely con-The whole Bible is a divinely con-structed unity, and there is danger that, in structed unity, and there is danger that, in

studying one part to the comparative neglect studying one part to the comparative neglect of the other, we may fall into one-sided and of the other, we may fall into one-sided and

erroneous methods of expositionerroneous methods of exposition((p. 18; e.g., cf. p. 18; e.g., cf. Mat. 22:23-33Mat. 22:23-33 w/ w/ Luke 20:27-38Luke 20:27-38).).

Besides using the Bible to explain the Bible Besides using the Bible to explain the Bible whenever possible…whenever possible…

Terry also wrote that Terry also wrote that The interpreter should The interpreter should … transport himself into the historical posi-… transport himself into the historical posi-

tion of the author, look through his eyes, tion of the author, look through his eyes, note his surroundings, feel with his heart, note his surroundings, feel with his heart,

and catch his emotion and catch his emotion ((p. 231p. 231). And…). And…

After speaking at length about Paul’s After speaking at length about Paul’s writings, he said,writings, he said, The situation and condition The situation and condition

of the churches and persons addressed … of the churches and persons addressed … should also be carefully sought out should also be carefully sought out ((p. 236p. 236).).

Terry also wrote that Terry also wrote that The interpreter should The interpreter should … transport himself into the historical posi-… transport himself into the historical posi-

tion of the author, look through his eyes, tion of the author, look through his eyes, note his surroundings, feel with his heart, note his surroundings, feel with his heart,

and catch his emotion and catch his emotion ((p. 231p. 231). And…). And…

After speaking at length about Paul’s After speaking at length about Paul’s writings, he said,writings, he said, The situation and condition The situation and condition

of the churches and persons addressed … of the churches and persons addressed … should also be carefully sought out should also be carefully sought out ((p. 236p. 236).).

John Wycliffe likewise wrote, John Wycliffe likewise wrote, It will greatly It will greatly help us to understand Scripture if we take help us to understand Scripture if we take

notice of not only what is spoken or written, notice of not only what is spoken or written, but also but also of whom and to whom, with what of whom and to whom, with what

words, at what time, where, to what intent, in words, at what time, where, to what intent, in what circumstances,what circumstances, considering what goes considering what goes

before and what follows after before and what follows after ((italics mineitalics mine).).

John Wycliffe likewise wrote, John Wycliffe likewise wrote, It will greatly It will greatly help us to understand Scripture if we take help us to understand Scripture if we take

notice of not only what is spoken or written, notice of not only what is spoken or written, but also but also of whom and to whom, with what of whom and to whom, with what

words, at what time, where, to what intent, in words, at what time, where, to what intent, in what circumstances,what circumstances, considering what goes considering what goes

before and what follows after before and what follows after ((italics mineitalics mine).).

We simply We simply mustmust keep in mind that while all keep in mind that while all the Bible is FOR us, it was the Bible is FOR us, it was notnot written TO us, written TO us,

making it crucial that we not only put our-making it crucial that we not only put our-selves in the places of its authors, but also in selves in the places of its authors, but also in the places of its recipients, noting especially the places of its recipients, noting especially such things as their culture and meanings of such things as their culture and meanings of any and all of their unique idiomatic expres-any and all of their unique idiomatic expres-sions (sions (e.g. e.g. heavens and earthheavens and earth in in Isa. 13:13Isa. 13:13,, 51:16 51:16,,

65:1765:17,, && 66:22 66:22 with their respective contextswith their respective contexts). One ). One of my favorite sayings is thatof my favorite sayings is that a verse can a verse can

never mean what it never meant never mean what it never meant ((from Fee & from Fee &

Stuart’s Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for All Its WorthHow to Read the Bible for All Its Worth).).

We simply We simply mustmust keep in mind that while all keep in mind that while all the Bible is FOR us, it was the Bible is FOR us, it was notnot written TO us, written TO us,

making it crucial that we not only put our-making it crucial that we not only put our-selves in the places of its authors, but also in selves in the places of its authors, but also in the places of its recipients, noting especially the places of its recipients, noting especially such things as their culture and meanings of such things as their culture and meanings of any and all of their unique idiomatic expres-any and all of their unique idiomatic expres-sions (sions (e.g. e.g. heavens and earthheavens and earth in in Isa. 13:13Isa. 13:13,, 51:16 51:16,,

65:1765:17,, && 66:22 66:22 with their respective contextswith their respective contexts). One ). One of my favorite sayings is thatof my favorite sayings is that a verse can a verse can

never mean what it never meant never mean what it never meant ((from Fee & from Fee &

Stuart’s Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for All Its WorthHow to Read the Bible for All Its Worth).).

Even as far back as Even as far back as First Samuel 9:9First Samuel 9:9 it was it was recognized that languages change: recognized that languages change: Formerly Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer,” he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer,”

for he who is now called a prophet was for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seerformerly called a seer. So interpreters are . So interpreters are

obligated to strive in their discovery of what obligated to strive in their discovery of what was meant by non-contemporary literature was meant by non-contemporary literature by, as Terry said, transporting themselves.by, as Terry said, transporting themselves.

Even as far back as Even as far back as First Samuel 9:9First Samuel 9:9 it was it was recognized that languages change: recognized that languages change: Formerly Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer,” he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer,”

for he who is now called a prophet was for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seerformerly called a seer. So interpreters are . So interpreters are

obligated to strive in their discovery of what obligated to strive in their discovery of what was meant by non-contemporary literature was meant by non-contemporary literature by, as Terry said, transporting themselves.by, as Terry said, transporting themselves.

In ConclusionIn Conclusion::

Whereas the contemporary-literal Whereas the contemporary-literal approach is subjective and therefore approach is subjective and therefore

relative in nature, the historical-relative in nature, the historical-grammatical approach is objective and grammatical approach is objective and not not therefore relative in nature. Why? therefore relative in nature. Why? Because the context and content of Because the context and content of

Scripture is unchanging.Scripture is unchanging.

In ConclusionIn Conclusion::

Whereas the contemporary-literal Whereas the contemporary-literal approach is subjective and therefore approach is subjective and therefore

relative in nature, the historical-relative in nature, the historical-grammatical approach is objective and grammatical approach is objective and not not therefore relative in nature. Why? therefore relative in nature. Why? Because the context and content of Because the context and content of

Scripture is unchanging.Scripture is unchanging.

Taking a mere literalistic position sounds Taking a mere literalistic position sounds very pious and conservative, but it often very pious and conservative, but it often

creates creates modernisticmodernistic interpretations of interpretations of Scripture. Shouldn't our principal goal Scripture. Shouldn't our principal goal actually be to find the actually be to find the biblicalbiblical meaning, meaning,

not the not the literalliteral meaning? meaning?

Taking a mere literalistic position sounds Taking a mere literalistic position sounds very pious and conservative, but it often very pious and conservative, but it often

creates creates modernisticmodernistic interpretations of interpretations of Scripture. Shouldn't our principal goal Scripture. Shouldn't our principal goal actually be to find the actually be to find the biblicalbiblical meaning, meaning,

not the not the literalliteral meaning? meaning?

Martin and Vaughn wrote, Martin and Vaughn wrote, It's time that we It's time that we recognize something about Scripture: The recognize something about Scripture: The

Bible has amazing internal consistency from Bible has amazing internal consistency from beginning to end. Many have pointed to its beginning to end. Many have pointed to its remarkable uniformity as proof of its divine remarkable uniformity as proof of its divine

origin and inspiration. Our Bible deserves an origin and inspiration. Our Bible deserves an approach to interpretation that values its own approach to interpretation that values its own internal coherence. Christians can honor the internal coherence. Christians can honor the

consistency of God's Word by setting a consistency of God's Word by setting a similar high standard for consistency when it similar high standard for consistency when it comes to applying hermeneutic principlescomes to applying hermeneutic principles.*.*

Martin and Vaughn wrote, Martin and Vaughn wrote, It's time that we It's time that we recognize something about Scripture: The recognize something about Scripture: The

Bible has amazing internal consistency from Bible has amazing internal consistency from beginning to end. Many have pointed to its beginning to end. Many have pointed to its remarkable uniformity as proof of its divine remarkable uniformity as proof of its divine

origin and inspiration. Our Bible deserves an origin and inspiration. Our Bible deserves an approach to interpretation that values its own approach to interpretation that values its own internal coherence. Christians can honor the internal coherence. Christians can honor the

consistency of God's Word by setting a consistency of God's Word by setting a similar high standard for consistency when it similar high standard for consistency when it comes to applying hermeneutic principlescomes to applying hermeneutic principles.*.*