1 1 Processes of Interpretation Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation IV. Application III. Investigation

Hermeneutics “the study of meaning” Hermeneutics “the study of meaning” Older Tendencies Older Tendencies The study of rules for interpreting meaning The study of rules for interpreting meaning ~Ermh/j Recent Tendencies Recent Tendencies The study of all influences on the processes of interpreting meaning The study of all influences on the processes of interpreting meaning General and Biblical General and Biblical Definition of Hermeneutics (1.1)

Hermeneutica l Spiral of Repeated Encounters Between Text and Reader Moving toward Better Understanding Hermeneutica l Spiral of Repeated Encounters Between Text and Reader Moving toward Better Understanding Physical, Cultural, Spiritual Preparations for Interpretation Illumination by Holy Spirit Illumination by Holy Spirit Exploration of Original Meaning Contemporary Appropriation of Text PreparationApplication Investigation Constant Interdependence Constant Interdependence Hermeneutical Spiral (1.2)

1 1 Processes of Interpretation 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. 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 in interpretation. Interpreters must prepare by learning about themselves and by being ready to express their own outlooks in interpretation. Preparation Subjectivist Preparation (1.4)

Authority-Dialogue Hermeneutic Preparation Interpreters must be more aware and responsible with their predispositions. Interpreters must be more aware and responsible with their predispositions. Readers always bring enabling and disabling predispositions to texts. Readers always bring enabling and disabling predispositions to texts. Preparation Interpreters must learn methods that acknowledge a text’s communicative power. Interpreters must learn methods that acknowledge a text’s communicative power. Readers genuinely seek to listen to texts as authoritative. Readers genuinely seek to listen to texts as authoritative. Authority-Dialogue Prep. (1.5)

1 1 Processes of Interpretation Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation IV. Application III. Investigation

Common Practice: Treat Bible as Timeless 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 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) 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: 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 22:43-45 To the churches in Galatia: Gal. 1:2 Therefore, 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 1:3 Turning 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 NT Ancient World of OT and NT Writer Document Audience Contemporary World Contemporary World Writer Document Audience Contemporary World Contemporary World How can we hope to understand the original meaning? How can we hope to understand the original meaning? Great Differences In Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion Great Differences In Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion Challenge of Investigation (1.7)

Writer Document Audience Contemporary World Contemporary World Same God Same God Same World Same World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Writer Document Audience Contemporary World Contemporary World Same God Same God Divine Immutability in Character, 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 Contemporary World Contemporary World Same World 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 Contemporary World Contemporary World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Image 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 Contemporary World Contemporary World Same God Same God Same World Same World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Adequate Investigation of Original Meaning is Possible. 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 1 Processes of Interpretation Processes of Interpretation I. Hermeneutics II. Preparation IV. Application III. Investigation

Writer Document Audience Ancient World of OT and NT Ancient World of OT and NT Contemporary World Contemporary World Divine Design of Future Applicability Divine Design of Future Applicability 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 5:17-19 These 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 Contemporary World Contemporary World Great Differences in Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion Great Differences in Worldviews, Technology, Social Values, Language, Religion How can we hope to apply Scripture to our day? How can we hope to apply Scripture to our day? Challenge of Application (1.10)

Writer Document Audience Same God Same God Same World Same World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Personal Adjustments Personal Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Epochal Adjustments Epochal Adjustments Epochal Adjustments Although 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 Adjustments Although the Scriptures apply to all places and times, we must account for cultural variations when applying Scripture. OR D E M E P R O G R E S S O Personal Adjustments Although 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 Same God Same God Same World Same World Same Kind of People Same Kind of People Personal Adjustments Personal Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Cultural Adjustments Epochal Adjustments Epochal Adjustments Possibility for Application (1.11) Through these connections and adjustments, we can adequately apply the Scriptures to our day. Through these connections and adjustments, we can adequately apply the Scriptures to our day.