The Eight Laws of Biblical Understanding: aka Hermeneutics
Definition: Hermeneutics is the science or study of interpretation. The word comes from a Greek word which means interpreter.
Classic Principles of Hermeneutics
- Follow Customary Usage of Language.
- Commit no historical-cultural blunders.
- Make Christ central in all interpretations.
- Be conscious of context.
- Interpret by the analogy of faith.
- Recognize the progress of revelation.
- Grant one interpretation to each passage.
- Choose the Simplest Alternative
Follow Customary Usage of Language.
This means to use the language as it was customary used by those who were the original hearers and speakers. It means that we understand the words literally not in some spiritualized sense know only us. We can’t ignore or change the original words, their definitions or the way in which they were used. We must understand figures of speech, exaggeration, stories, parables, similes and metaphors as they were understood by those who first heard the words we now read.
Application:
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
How do you quit like men?
Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
What does the word baptize mean?
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill?
Does this mean the death penalty is wrong?
Commit no Historical-Cultural blunders.
We must have a grasp of the times in which the passage was written. We should know about the culture, customs and history of the people who were being written to. Did they live as we do? Was their government like ours, their marriages, jobs, homes, etc? I must know these things lest I make the mistake of reading too much of my self and my times into the passage.
Be Conscious of Context
It has been rightly said, that a text absent from its context is merely a pretext. Before you can know what is being said you must know what has preceded it and what comes after it. This is called the immediate context. You also must be aware of the greater context. Who wrote it? Why was it written? Who was it written to? What was the time period of the writing? What events were taking place at the same time? All these elements must be considered before a true understanding can be achieved. Without context any madman or fool can make the words say anything they want.
Application:
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Does this mean that no one can say that any action is right or wrong?
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I ...
Is this the definition of a church?
Interpret by the Analogy of Faith
This means that we let scripture interprets scripture. The Bible stands as a whole, one seamless and unified message. We must always let God do the explaining when it comes to His own words. Along with this rule is a corollary which states that we always move from the easier understood verse to the harder to understand verses never the other way around. We cannot let the verses which are difficult reinterpret those which are plain and straightforward.
Application:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
What does the phrase “born of water mean?”
Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
What rock is the church built upon?
Compare Scripture with Scripture - 1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Grant One Interpretation to Each Passage.
The message given by God in the passage we are trying to understand can only have one interpretation. We are trying to grasp the original thought as God have it to the original hearers. The scriptures cannot say two different things anymore than God can contradict himself. I cannot accept that what a passage says to me can be different that what is says to you unless I am willing to remove all reality from the Bible and turn it into a book of abstract stories left open to the whims and emotions of every individual hearer. Once I establish the proper interpretation then I arrive at the proper application which God intends for me in the time and circumstance I find myself in. There can only be one interpretation but the number of application is as numerous as the people reading it. This is where God speaks to me personally but if I put the application before the interpretation I will not hear Him but only myself.
Example of Ignoring One Interpretation to Each Passage
An interpretation by a FB friend.
Exodus 15:17-18 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
YES, this was written about that time of Hebrew exodus from bondage and the promised land. But in my own heart and knowing the Word sometimes is signaling many meanings by one scripture….I FEEL IT IS FOR US NOW !
There WILL be an exodus for Believers. A calling up before the great tribulation in my opinion. I feel we are protected until that time. The promised land is the New Earth where Jesus will reign eternally as King of all Kings! God made the Earth FOR HIS DWELLING PLACE WITH US, HIS BELOVED! Just please in the name of LOVE…. Be ready for the moment! It could be any time now.
Application:
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Does this verse mean I can claim it and God will give me riches?
Choose the Simplest Alternative
If a passage proves difficult, and many will, then when left with a choice of possible right answers always choose the simplest. Remember God chose many more fishermen, shepherds and tax collectors than kings and scholars to receive and record his word. God meant for simple people to hear his amazing revelation so it make sense that when a passage could be one or several explanations the simplest is your best choice.
Application:
Judges 11:30-35 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. … Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.
Did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter?
Restating The Rules of Hermeneutics
- Rule of Definition: Follow the customary usage of language.
- Rule of Historical Background: Commit no historical-cultural blunders.
- Rule of Context: Always be conscious of the context of the passage.
- Rule of Focus: Make Christ Central in all interpretations
- Rule of Unity: Interpret by the analogy of faith.
- Rule of One: Grant only one interpretation to each passage.
- Rule of Progressive of Revelation: God reveals more as time progresses.
- Rule of Simplest Alternative. Pick the simplest explanation
- Rule of Logic: The passage must make sense within the boundaries of the context and situation.
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