Biblical Hermeneutics: Principles and Applications

Posted on Apr 6, 2025 in Philosophy and ethics

  1. Hermeneutics: Comes from the Greek word hermeneuo, which means to interpret.

  2. Matthew 13: Because they had not obeyed the old truth already given.

  3. Scriptural Meat vs. Milk: By using and obeying what we have first been taught.

  4. Relating to Hermeneutics: Milk is used to illustrate instruction about the basics of Christianity, while meat is for advanced instruction about righteousness.

  5. Scripture is Useful For:

    • Ministry
    • Doctrine
    • Personal Application

  6. The Epistles

  7. We cannot base doctrine on the greetings, personal matters, and non-transferable cultural issues in the Epistles.

  8. Are All Promises Applicable? Yes. This is because the entire Bible is inspired and is ours to use.

  9. Define Historical Context: It refers to the set of circumstances into which a text is woven. It includes the author and date, people to whom he wrote, their culture and customs, and problems the author wrote to solve.

  10. Three Steps for Understanding Historical Context:

    They are:

    1. Answer questions about the author.
    2. Answer questions about the readers.
    3. Identify the problems the author wrote to solve.

  11. Define Literary Context: This means the written words and verses that surround a text.

  12. Can Scripture Be Misunderstood? Yes, if it is removed from its context.

  13. Five Steps for Understanding Literary Context:

    State the main topic of the book or the topic of a major section of the book containing the text’s subdivision.

    1. Answer primary questions about the subdivision.
    2. Answer secondary questions about the subdivision.

  1. Rules for Word Study:

    1. Look up words you are sure you do not know.
    2. Investigate words and phrases you think you know.
    3. Ask questions that force you to interpret and apply the text.

  2. Interpret in the simplest, obvious, natural meaning.

  3. Three Types of Figurative Language:

    Parable, Allegory, Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, and Personification.

  4. Meaning of Two Types of Figurative Language:

    • Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration to make a point.
    • Personification is figurative language that gives human or living characteristics to non-humans.

  5. When to Reject an Interpretation: When it is not in harmony with the rest of Scripture.

  6. Are Teachers Important? Yes, because God appoints and anoints some teachers as a gift to His Church.

  7. “Already” but “Not Yet” Present: The kingdom of God began with the coming of Jesus. However, it is not complete on the earth.

  8. Why is Allegorizing a Parable Dangerous? Because we reject God’s Word when we do not accept the natural, obvious meaning of a text.

  9. How to Interpret a Parable:

    1. Determine the historical context of the parable.
    2. Recognize the few symbolic mountain points in the parable.
    3. Identify the one main lesson the parable illustrates.

  10. Role of a Prophet: Is God’s spokesman, foretelling and forthtelling, to help people know God and His will for them.

  11. Interpreting Prophecy:

    1. Determine the historical context of the prophecy.
    2. Identify the figurative language in the prophecy.
    3. Decide whether the prophecy will be fulfilled literally or figuratively.

  12. “Already” but “Not Yet” Brought to Us Salvation: Christians are forgiven and growing in grace. Christians will be perfect, having reached the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

  13. Health and Wealth: The prayer of faith heals the sick; God supplies our needs, but not our lust for things, as we seek His Kingdom first.