Advanced Hermeneutics Series 1 - 033557
Advanced Hermeneutics Series 1 - 033557
Advanced Hermeneutics Series 1 - 033557
[MULTI-DENOMINATIONAL]
LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA-WEST AFRICA
Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp Line:+2348036372313
An Affiliate of Triune Biblical University, New York City, USA
An Affiliate of Salvation Herald Bible College, Lagos
A Representative of International Institute of Church Management,
Florida, USA
COURSE TITLE:
ADVANCED HERMENEUTICS [SERIES 1]
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INTRODUCTION
It is vitally important that every person study the Bible properly in order
to understand the truths it reveals. For, you see, a knowledge and
understanding of those truths, along with obedience to them, are
essential to the salvation of one’s soul (John 8:32). This can only be
accomplished by using correct study methods in reference to Scripture.
This material is being presented with that in mind. It is hoped that each
student will develop or reinforce proper study methods and habits in
their investigation of God’s word.
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Blessings Which Result From An Understanding Of The Bible
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The Purpose and Place of Common Sense in Bible Study
Many people view the Bible as some mystical book whose
message, in reality, cannot be completely understood. Therefore,
they approach the study of the Bible in a special way. They fail to
use the same reasoning they apply in the study of other books
and disciplines.
The Bible, though, is to be treated with the same logic and
common sense as any ordinary, intelligent writing for, though it is
from God, its message is conveyed to mankind in the same way
that men communicate with each other.
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The Violations of Common Sense That Contribute to a
Misunderstanding of the Bible
1. Prejudice.
The common spirit of bias and partiality found in so many men
and women. One who allows prejudice to color his view of the
Bible will never arrive at its true message.
2. Preconceived opinion.
The practice of supposing something exists or assuming
something is true without sufficient study or proof. One must go
to the Bible to obtain doctrine not to sustain it.
3. Wishful thinking.
To wish so strongly for something to be true that one comes to
firmly believe that it is true.
4. Generalization.
The fallacy of drawing sweeping conclusions from particular
instances.
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Ten Attitudes Essential to Bible Study
One of the most prevalent causes which contributes to a
misunderstanding of the Bible is when the student has wrong attitudes
toward it or the study of it. If one is going to understand the Scriptures,
he must develop and maintain proper attitudes toward the Bible and its
study.
1. Be willing to work.
No other attitude or activity can take the place of work. Those who seek
enlightenment in any branch of knowledge must pursue it with vigor,
enthusiasm, and labor.
4. Expect delight.
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To delight in the word of God is to thoroughly enjoy its study. Do not
look upon your study of Scripture as a chore. Rather, consider it a
blessed opportunity to learn of God and His will.
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A mere curiosity about the Bible or an academic interest in it is not
enough. One must develop a hunger and thirst for knowledge of
Scripture having obedience which leads to salvation as his ultimate
goal.
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3. Some think the Bible is not to be understood as other intelligent
writings.
They believe it is mystical in its teaching and, therefore, cannot be
studied as other writings and disciplines.
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The Harmful Methods of Interpretation
The following methods have sustained those things known to be false,
have made the Bible either teach what we know to be untrue or
contradict itself, and have turned the Bible over to the “clergy.”
It is based on the idea that behind the literal written word is a mystical
meaning and that the latter is the real truth of God and the spiritual
meaning one should desire. One is led to believe that
the literal word of the Bible is inferior, even useless or dangerous, and
must be discarded as unacceptable. It teaches that the real truth is
often altogether different from that which is obviously said.
“If the Bible does not mean what it says, there is no way by which we
can know what it does mean.” (D.R. Dungan)
In this method, the student treats the entire Bible as one big riddle. It
promotes the idea that each person has the right to draw out of various
passages of the Bible the lesson he feels is true for him. One, therefore,
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does not obtain the meaning of the text but rather thrusts something
into it.
This method is rich in emotion but poor in reason. The student digs for
all manner of hidden meanings by passionately working over thoughts,
numbers, items, etc., in the Bible and combining them so they form
strange conclusions and odd arrangements. It plays up incidental
details. It thrives on originality rather than accuracy. It confuses all the
orderly arrangements and divisions naturally found in the Bible.
This method affirms the church as the true exponent of the Scriptures.
One who uses this method looks neither to God nor himself to
understand the Bible but to the final authority—his church, church
leader, and/or church creed. According to this method, decrees of the
church are final.
This method came into existence in Catholicism during the Dark Ages
because of the church’s desire to rule in spiritual matters. By this
method one can prove most anything. This method assumes a certain
thing is true then defends it by showing, from Scripture, “proof ” that it
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is true. It uses the practice of “proof-texting.”
The Bible is not designed as a proof for doctrines one might formulate.
Instead, it reveals the doctrine of God.
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to be from God no matter who is speaking. This is an unreasonable view
because it stands opposed to one of the first rules necessary to fair and
thorough investigation: to know who speaks.
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He was critical of the methods of learning of the times and, at the
request of Pope Clement IV, he wrote his “Opus Magnus” (Major Work)
in which he represented the necessity of a reformation in the
sciences through different methods of studying the languages and
nature.
Such is the law of analogy which this method employs: everything must
be found to agree. Two truths are never contradictory. When any fact
has come to be known, and about it there can no longer be any
doubt, whatever may be reported afterward which contradicts that
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fact, is rejected as untrue.
The Bible recognizes this method as correct. All the facts are reported,
given by God, and from them general conclusions are to be reached.
Such is the way Jesus proved to two men the truth about Himself. In
Luke 24, they were discussing His death and how they were saddened
by it for they had hoped that it was He who would redeem Israel. They
further stated how they were distressed because they had heard from
certain women who had gone to His tomb and seen a vision of angels
who said He was alive but others who had gone to His tomb had not
seen Him. In Luke 24:25-27, Jesus said, “‘O foolish ones, and slow of
heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the
Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory.’ And
beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all
the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
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with it.
The term “hermeneutics” has an interesting etymology. It has its basis
in Greek mythology. It is derived from “Hermes,” the Greek messenger
of the gods and the interpreter of Jupiter.
Hermeneutics Defined
1. The science of interpretation.
2. The study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of
the Bible.)
3. The science and art of Biblical interpretation. It is a science because it
is guided by rules within a system; and it is an art because the
application of the rules is by skill and not by mechanical imitation.
4. Sacred hermeneutics is the science of interpreting the Scriptures.
Exegesis. “(from ex, out, and egeisthas, to guide or lead), means to lead
out. It is the application of the principles of hermeneutics in bringing
out the meaning of any writing which might otherwise be difficult to
understand. The relation of hermeneutics to exegesis. “Whereas
hermeneutics seeks to establish the ruling principles of biblical
interpretation, exegesis seeks to fix the meaning of individual
statements and passages.”
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The Axioms of Hermeneutics
Axioms are certain fundamental principles, which may be very briefly
expressed, but which contain only the most primary and essential
truths of the science.
1. The true object of speech is the impartation of thought.
2. The true object of interpretation is to apprehend the exact thought
of the author.
3. Language is a reliable medium of communication.
4. Usage determines the meaning of words.
a. Usage: the continued use or treatment of words by the people to
whose language the words belong.
b. The character of the influence of usage.
1) A word receives its first meaning.
2) A word may have its meaning changed.
3) A word may receive many meanings.
4) A word or a certain meaning of a word may become partially or
wholly obsolete.
c. The extent of this influence. A certain usage may prevail:
1) Wherever the language is spoken.
2) Only in a certain district.
3) Only in a certain vocation, art, or science.
4) Only in writings of a particular author.
5. Two writers do not independently express thought alike.
6. Every writer is influenced by his environment. “Inspiration is simply
one of the influences of the writer’s environment. Inspiration did not
remove the writers of the Bible from their natural surroundings, but
merely enlightened them to meet the exigencies of their circumstances.
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7. Any writing is liable to modification in copying, translating, and the
gradual change of a living tongue.
8. By one expression, one thought is conveyed and only one.
9. The function of a word depends on its association with other words.
The meaning of a word that has more than one meaning depends on
the words that accompany it. A lexicographer determines the meanings
of words mainly by examining all their occurrences in literature and
noting the associations of each word.
10. A correct definition of a word substituted for the word itself will not
modify the meaning of the text.
11. One of two contradictory statements must be false, unless
corresponding terms have different meanings or applications.
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properly connected to it. It may be a paragraph, a chapter, a large
section or the entire writing. The writings of Scripture demonstrate a
continuous, logical flow of thoughts and a passage should never be
forcibly pulled out of this order and forced into the mold of some other
thoughts. A knowledge of the context will greatly assist in the exegesis
of any doubtful passage.
5. An interpretation of a passage should always conform to the
environment of the author. The author used the conditions of life as he
knew them to frame the revealed message. He drew upon
the customs of his day, the opinions of his time, the circumstances
surrounding his life, and the nature of his own personality.
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contains. An idiom is any usage or construction peculiar to a certain
language, especially a form of expression or a phrase adopted
by the usage of a language with a signification other than its
grammatical or logical use. For example:
a. Repetition was used in the Hebrews’ language for emphasis. (Genesis
22:17; Luke 22:14-15)
b. “Love...hate” denotes comparison of one being loved more than the
other. (Malachi 1:2,3; Luke 14:26)
c. “Not...but” was an expression of comparison of importance. (1 Peter
3:3-4; Hebrews 10:25)
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The Two Testaments:
• Prophecy: Revelation.
Chapters and verses have been added to the Bible by man. The chapter
divisions were developed by Cardinal Hugo and first appeared in 1250
A.D.
The verses of the New Testament were set in order by Sir Robert
Stephen in 1551 A.D. It was in the Geneva Bible of 1560 A.D. that verses
and chapters were included in a complete Bible for the first time.
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The Three Dispensations
1. The Patriarchal Age. Its name comes from “father.” God spoke to the
fathers through visions, dreams and angels. There was no written law.
2. The Mosaic Age. God expanded His method of dealing with mankind
from family to nation. The name of this period comes from the
lawgiver, Moses. Through him, with the Ten Commandments at its
center, God set down a definite written code for social, political, and
religious life.
3. The Gospel Age. This age has Jesus Christ with all authority in heaven
and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Its chief characteristic is that God turns
from family and nation to the whole world. The grand purpose of God is
fulfilled through His Son—the redemption of mankind.
Each covenant is for the man, or men, to whom it was given and for
whom it was intended. It belongs to no one else except when extended
to them by its author. One general condition runs through all covenants
God has made with mankind—man must believe in, love, and obey
God.
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Four Essential Parts of a Covenant
1. The first party. The covenanter or benefactor.
2. The second party. The covenantee or beneficiary.
3. The conditions that have to be met.
4. The promises or blessings to be desired and received after the
conditions are met.
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The Conditions :
• Build an ark. (Genesis 6:14-16)
• Enter into the ark with his family. (Genesis 6:18; 7:1)
• Gather a certain number of beasts, fowls, and creeping things.
(Genesis 6:19,20; 7:2,3)
• Gather food to eat. (Genesis 6:21)
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4. The Covenant with Abraham.
First party: God. (Genesis 12:1; 17:1-3)
Second party: Abraham and his seed to follow in all generations.
(Genesis 17:7)
The Conditions :
• Go out of his country and into a new land God would show him.
(Genesis 12:1)
• Walk before God and be perfect. (Genesis 17:1)
• Offer his son, Isaac, for a burnt offering. (Genesis 22:2)
Promises.
• God would make of Abraham a great nation. (Genesis 12:2)
• God would bless him and make his name great. (Genesis 12:2)
• God would bless those who would bless him and curse those who
would curse him. (Genesis 12:3)
• God would bless all families of the earth through him. (Genesis 12:3;
22:18)
• The land of Canaan would be given to his seed. (Genesis 12:7)
• His seed would be in number as the dust of the earth. (Genesis 13:16)
• He would have a son. (Genesis 15:4)
• He would be the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:4)
• God would be a God to him and his seed. (Genesis 17:7)
• God would give his seed Egypt in which to sojourn. (Genesis 26:1-5)
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• God would return his seed to the Promised Land. (Genesis 28:10-15)
Mediator: None.
Token: Circumcision. (Genesis 17:10-14)
5. The Law.
First party: God. (Exodus 20:1)
Second party: All Israel. (Exodus 34:27; Deuteronomy 5:1-3)
The Conditions : The Ten Commandments plus all the statutes and
judgments pertaining to private, social (or political), and religious life.
(Exodus 20 through Deuteronomy) Promises.
• Israel would be a peculiar and holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6)
• According to Leviticus 26, God would give:
P Good harvests and ample food.
P Safety and peace.
P Deliverance from evil beasts.
P Protection from and power over enemies.
P Respect.
P Growth in number.
P His presence.
Mediator: Moses. (Deuteronomy 5:5)
Token: The Sabbath. (Exodus 31:12-17; Ezekiel 20:12,20)
6. The Gospel.
First party: God. (Romans 1:1,16; Hebrews 1:1-2)
Second party: All the world. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16)
The Conditions.
• Hear the gospel. (Romans 10:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:1)
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• Believe in Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:15-16; John 20:30-31; Acts 8:36-37;
16:31; Romans 10:13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Hebrews 11:6).
• Repent of sin. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 17:30)
• Confess faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10; Philippians
2:11)
• Be baptized into Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-
39; 9:18; 22:16; Galatians 3:27)
• Continue to grow in holiness as a Christian (Matthew 28:20; 2
Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 1:5-11) by worshiping the Lord
(Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-26); by teaching all men (Matthew 28:19;
Acts 8:1-3,29,35; Colossians 3:16); by being a good steward of all life (1
Corinthians 4:1,2; 6:19-20; 16:2; 1 Peter 4:10); and remaining faithful
unto death (Revelation 2:10).
The Promises.
• Forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14)
• Election. (Romans 8:33)
• Redemption. (Romans 3:23-26)
• Justification. (Romans 8:1,30-31)
• Grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:1)
• Salvation. (2 Timothy 2:10)
• Hope. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
• Peace. (1 Peter 5:14)
• Wisdom. (James 1:5)
• Protection and help. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:19)
• Righteousness. (Romans 3:21-22; 5:17)
• Inheritance. (Galatians 3:26-29)
• Rest. (Revelation 14:13)
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Victory. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
• Glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)
• Eternal life. (Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11)
Mediator: Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5)
Token: Gift of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 5:22-25;
Ephesians 1:13; 4:30)
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The Importance of Setting
One must be very careful to keep a passage in the setting in which it
was first given. It must be put in its rightful place according to the
period of time and the covenant involved. One must take an
historical approach to Bible study to be fully aware of the entire setting
of a passage in which the Holy Spirit first placed it.
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Such things should be taken literally and one should not be constantly
searching for hidden meanings and fancy figures of speech.
The literal meaning of a word is that meaning which is given it by those
to whom it is addressed.
Figurative Language
Figurative language involves the use of symbols, stories, or other
descriptive means to express truth.
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Rules for Understanding Figurative Language
1. Determine what kind of figure it is.
2. Follow the author’s explanation, if he gives one. (Luke 8:11; 12:16-
21)
3. Harmonize the figurative with the literal.
4. Harmonize the figurative with the customs of the time.
5. Do not press the meaning too far.
6. Remember that figures of speech may change their meaning from
one instance to another and do
not always represent the same things. (Matthew 13:33; 16:6-12)
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7. Hyperbole. An exaggeration of some statement for the purpose of
emphasis. (Psalm 22:6,14)
8. Irony and sarcasm. A sharp remark uttered in contempt or ridicule.
The latter, sarcasm, is more severe in degree and intensity. (Matthew
27:29; Mark 15:31,32)
9. Interrogation. To question for effect, often not seeking an answer. It
will bring out a point very strongly or even argue to the contrary.
(Hebrews 2:3)
10. Metonymy. To substitute one word for another because they are
related. (1 Corinthians 11:25,26; Acts 15:21)
11. Personification. Inanimate beings have personal attributes. (Psalm
114:3)
12. Anthropomorphism. The ascribing of human forms or attributes to
God. (Exodus 33:22,23)
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both an immediate and a long range significance. Also remember that
many figures of speech were used by the prophets to express them.
4. Type. A person, object, or incident prefiguring something greater and
more exalted to follow.
(Romans 5:14; Hebrews 7:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19)
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repent, faith, etc.).
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