HERMENEUTICS Proverbs 3 5 8 Prov 3 8

HERMENEUTICS Proverbs 3: 5 -8 Prov 3: 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

BIBLICAL SCIENCE n Science: “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws. ”

6 Major Bible Sciences n The study of Canon (Canonology) n Historical Criticism n Textual Criticism n Hermeneutics n Exegesis n Biblical Theology

Definitions Canonology: means rod or straight edge, to measure. This science concerns itself with which books are inspired of God and which books are not. n Historical Criticism: This science deals with authorship, date of writings, authenticity , historical background, and unity. n

Definitions Textual Criticism: This deals with the original text of Scripture. You do this quite often. (King James version verses the NIV). n Exegesis: To guide or lead out. Reading out of the Scripture instead of reading into the Bible one’s own interpretations. n

Hermeneutics: This science deals with correct interpretations of God’s Word. n Biblical Theology : It is the doctrine of God, the proper result of all previous sciences. n

Methods of Interpretation n Allegorical n Mystical n Devotional n Rationalistic n Literal

Allegorical Method n This method supposedly goes beneath the surface of Scripture to the real meaning hidden beneath the words. n Gal 4: 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

Dangers n It is best to rely on this method only when scripture indicates. n Why! n Because, if not, then it has its basis solely in the mind of the interpreter. n Therefore without any means of authentication.

Mystical Method n This method rejects the plain truth in favor for multiple meaning within one text. n This is the difference between Allegorical and Mystical Methods.

Devotional Method This method places more emphasis on the personal edifying aspects of the Bible. n It does not see the importance of doctrine. n Any devotional interpretation must be based firmly on the literal meaning of Scripture. n

Examples A person not willing to work expecting God to meet their needs because of certain passages indicating God will. n A person not willing to attend church services because we are the church and can worship God anywhere. n A person finding verses for their personal gratification and interpreting them out of context. n

Rationalistic Method n This method denies all Scripture is actually inspired of God. n If a person’s intellect can understand explain a doctrine it is accepted. n If a person can not understand or explain a doctrine it is rejected.

Literal Method n This method does not deny allegoric or figurative language in Scripture. n It simply declares that “figures of speech” are used to reveal literal truth.

Examples The right hand of God, reveals the literal interpretation of the power and righteousness of God. n They shall take up serpents, reveals the literal truth of our authority over the devil. n Matt. 28: 19, this method does not mean taking everything literal but finding and uncovering literal truth. n

Only Accurate Method n. The Literal Method, striving to uncover the “Unadulterated Truth of God’s Word. ”