Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Subject: Hermeneutics

Topic: Why Study Hermeneutics

Objectives

Understand what is hermeneutics

Understand the importances of hermeneutics

Learn about how hermeneutics was done throughout the history of the church

Definition

The art and science of interpretation.

In its technical meaning, hermeneutics is often defined as the science and art of biblical interpretation.

Hermeneutics is considered a science because it has rules, and these rules can be classified in an orderly system.

It is considered an art because communication is flexible, and therefore a mechanical and rigid application of rules will sometimes distort the true meaning of a communication.21

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

hermēneúō [to interpret],

hermēneía [interpretation],

hermēneutḗs [interpreter],

diermēneúō [to interpret],

diermēneía [interpretation],

diermēneutḗs [interpreter]

Bible Usage

John 1.41-42

“41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah.

You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).”

Hebrews 7.2 “2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,””

1 Cor 12.10 “10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

Grk.

hermeneia - interpretation

Luke 24.27 “27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Grk.

diermeneuo - explain

Common Usage

Hermeneutics is used in daily life through -

explanations

translations

expositions

Why we Need Biblical Hermeneutics

There are obstacles in understanding the Scripture

historical gap - caused by time separating the original writers and the contemporary readers

cultural gap - differences between the cultures of ancient Hebrews and our contemporary one

philisophical gap - differences in past and present views of life, circumstances, nature, etc.

linguistic gap - the Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages

We are called to study the Scriptures

2 Tim 2.15 “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The Holy Spirit cannot guide us where we are not going

John 14.26 “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

John 16.13 “13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Relation of Hermeneutics with Other Terms

[SEE ILLUSTRATION]

Hermeneutics is the foundation of biblical proclamation.

Hermeneutics is the basis for exegesis.

Compared with Exegesis

Hermeneutics is the rules and guides for interpreting and understanding the biblical text.

Exegesis is the actual work of extracting the meaning of the biblical text.

It follows that -

sound biblical hermeneutics will result in right exegesis and right teaching

bad hermeneutics will result in bad exegesis and wrong teaching

The goal of Hermeneutics

The goal of a sound hermeneutic is to capture what has been described as a "pure biblical theology, which is an isolation and presentation of the unchanging biblical teachings which are valid for all of times."'

How Hermeneutics was done in ancient times

Ezra

he read the Law for those who could understand

he gave the sense and helped them understand the reading

Since the Israelites had probably lost their understanding of Hebrew during the exilic period, most biblical scholars assume that Ezra and his helpers translated the Hebrew text and read it aloud in Aramaic, adding explanations to make the meaning clear.

Thus began the science and art of biblical interpretation.481

Jewish methods of Interpretation

At the time of Christ, Jewish exegesis could be classified into four main types: literal, midrashic, pesher, and allegorical.503

Literal method

The literal method of interpretation, referred to as peshat, apparently served as the basis for other types of interpretation.

Richard Longenecker, citing Adolf Löwy, suggests that the reason for the relative infrequency of literalistic interpretations in Talmudic literature is “that this type of commentary was expected to be known by everyone; and since there were no disputations about it, it was not recorded.”514

Midrash

Midrash comes from the Hebrew verb darash meaning to search.

Midrash, then, speaks of an inquiry or an exposition.

Midrashic interpretation included a variety of hermeneutical devices that had developed considerably by the time of Christ and continued to develop for several centuries thereafter.

The primary goal of midrash was to highlight and explain the relevance of scriptural teaching in new and changing circumstances.

Pesher

Pesher interpretation was practiced particularly among the Qumran community.

This form borrowed extensively from midrashic practices but included a significant eschatological (end-time) focus.

The community believed that everything the ancient prophets wrote had a veiled prophetic meaning that was to be imminently fulfilled through their covenant community.558

Allegorical

Allegorical exegesis was based on the idea that beneath the literal meaning of Scripture lay the true meaning.5710

Historically, allegory had been developed by the Greeks to resolve the tension between their mythological religious tradition and their philosophical heritage.5811

Because the religious myths contained much that was immoral or otherwise unacceptable, Greek philosophers allegorized these stories; that is, the myths were to be understood not literally but as stories whose real truth lay at a deeper level.

At the time of Christ, Jews who wished to remain faithful to the Mosaic tradition and yet adopt Greek philosophy were faced with a similar tension.

Some Jews resolved this by allegorizing the Mosaic tradition.

Philo (ca.

20 BC–AD 50) is well known in this regard.

Biblical Interpretation in the early church history

Allegorical method

popularized by the School of Alexandria, Egypt

Clement of Alexandria (ca.

150–215), believed that Scriptures hide their true meaning so that we might be inquisitive and because it is not suitable for everyone to understand.

He theorized that Scripture has both a literal and a spiritual meaning, with the deepest riches available only to those who understand the deeper, spiritual sense.

Origen (185–254) was the noted successor of Clement.

He believed that Scripture is one vast allegory in which every detail is symbolic,7730 and he made much of 1 Corinthians 2:6–7 (“We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,” KJV).

Grammatical-Historical method

practiced by the School of Antioch

A group of scholars at Antioch in Syria attempted to avoid both the letterism of the Jews and the allegorism of the Alexandrians.8033

They, and particularly one of their number, Theodore of Mopsuestia (ca.