THE 611 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class XIII Theological Interpretation

THE 611 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class XIII: Theological Interpretation and Appropriation of the Bible © Dr. Esa Autero

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation 1. 1 Introduction to Theological Interpretation of the Bible • What does “theological interpretation” of the Bible mean? • How to hear God speak through the Scripture – • Knowing God’s character & actions • Human response Individually and collectively • Related issues • Role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation • Theological traditions & doctrines as help and hindrance • How to draw “theology” and “moral guidance” from the Bible

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Three models for theological interpretation 1) Three worlds model – more explicit about “readers” • Behind-Within-in Front of the text Interpreter/context Historical context Text itself Theological MEANING within the Canon • What does the text say about God and morals? • Knowing God; hearing God’s voice; principles & guidance

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation 2) Grammatico-historical approach • Standard Evangelical approach • Properly draw out the meaning of the text (exegesis) • Exegesis and application strictly separated • Exegete provides “raw material” for theologians/pastors Exegesis (of texts) Application (of texts) Theological MEANING within the Canon • What does the text say about God and morals? • Knowing God; hearing God’s voice; principles & guidance

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation 3) Pentecostal hermeneutical model • Sprit-Biblical Text-Community Biblical Text God’s Word Today Theological MEANING within the Canon Spirit* Community (church) • What does the text say about God and morals? • Knowing God; hearing God’s voice; principles & guidance

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Theological traditions – help and hindrance • How do theological models influence interpretation? • What broader theological tradition you are part of? • How does it inform you in theological interpretation of Bible? • Hermeneutical circle and theological interpretation • Hermeneutical circulation • Starting point: text, experience or context? • Interaction between parts and the whole • Presuppositions regarding the Bible – historical doc or God’s Word? • Inspiration and authority of the Bible

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Theological systems and their influence • Pattern of God’s Revelation – importance of whole before parts • How does a passage fit into the larger Canon? • Covenant theology • • Unified salvation history – Salvation always by grace through faith Church replaced Israel as God’s people Prophecies fulfilled in Christ and the Church Largely amillennialistic • Dispensational theology • • • Classical, revised, progressive (varied) Seven dispensations – God operated differently during dispensations Israel and church separate Prophecies to Israel in OT remain for Israel Nuanced understanding in progressive dispensationalism Always pre-Millennial

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Lutheran theology • • Law-grace distinction throughout the Bible Law = demonstrates God’s demand human guilt Grace = demonstrates God’s love, grace & forgiveness Doctrine of “two kingdoms” – earthly authority & spiritual authority • Catholic theology “What characterizes Catholic exegesis is that it deliberately places itself within the living tradition of the church, whose first concern is fidelity to the revelation attested by the Bible”* • Reading in continuity with the tradition & extended Canon • Authority of the tradition, Pope, and Councils along with Bible

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation Covenant theology Dispensational theology • Theological systems and their influence History is salvation. History is kingdom history – • Pattern of God’s Revelation – importance of whole before parts history/redemptive history kingdom on earth • How does a passage fit into the larger Canon? Accepts both literal and figurative Stresses "literal" interpretation of • Covenant theology (spiritual) interpretation of the Bible • Unified salvation history Bible • Dispensational theology • Classical, revised, progressive "Israel" always means only the "Israel" physical descendants of Jacob OR spiritual Israel, literal, physical descendants of • Lutheran theology depending on context (Gal 6: 16) Jacob (Gal 6: 16) One covenant people. Those who 2 peoples with 2 separate • Catholic and Orthodox theology have become a part of God's destinies: Israel (earthly) and the continuing covenant people. Church (heavenly).

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation Covenant theology Dispensational theology • Theological systems and their influence • Pattern of God’s Revelation – importance of whole before parts Some Old Testament prophecies All OT prophecies for "Israel" are • How does a passage fit into the larger Canon? are for national Israel, others for only for the physical nation of spiritual Israel, not for the Church • Covenant theology • Unified salvation history The Church is a parenthesis in The Church is the culmination of • Dispensational theology God's saving purpose for the ages God's program for the ages • Classical, revised, progressive • Lutheran theology The main heir to Abraham's covenant was Christ, the Seed, covenant was Isaac and literal • Catholic and Orthodox theology Israel and spiritual Israel which is "in Christ"

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation Covenant theology Dispensational theology • Theological systems and their influence • Pattern of God’s Revelation – importance of whole before parts Jesus’ offer to the Spiritual Jesus’ offer to the literal Kingdom • How does a passage fit into the larger Canon? Kingdom was rejected by literal to Israel; since Israel rejected it, it Israel; gradually been accepted by is postponed • Covenant theology spiritual Israel • Unified salvation history • Dispensational theology Millennium = Kingdom of God. The Church = Kingdom of God. • Classical, revised, progressive Always Premillennial, usually Pre Can be interpreted within the Premillennial, Post Millennial or -tribulation • Lutheran theology Amillennial way. OT sacrifices were fulfilled and • Catholic and Orthodox theology OT animal sacrifices will be forever abolished in Christ restored in the Millennium, as a memorial only.

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Hermeneutical implications • Overarching theological “systems” help and hinder interpretation • Give a framework for understanding the whole • Provide “guard rails” against wrong doctrine • Precondition interpreter to… • Method(s) and “best practices” – literal, spiritual, symbolic or “dance” • Inform on doctrines and patterns – Spiritual gifts, Millennium, Israel • Positive preconditioning or doctrinal imposition? • “guard rails” against wrong doctrine or blinders to alternative interpretations? • Important to understand the influence of “systems” to oneself & others “My system” is not the only one – perhaps not the only correct one*

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Examples of theological systems & hermeneutics Interpretation of the “Kingdom of Heaven”? Covenant Same as kingdom of God; rule of God displayed through the church Classic disp. Davidic theocratic kingdom – postponed to millennium due to rejection by Jews Revised disp. Davidic kingdom in the past and offered to Jews by Jesus; in mystery format currently the church; and in the millennium Progressive disp. As covenant theology – identical w/ kingdom of God; already inaugurated during Jesus’ ministry and church but fully consummated in the millennium

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation Interpretation of the “restoration of Israel” and prophecy? Covenant 1) Partial fulfillment in return from Exile 2) typologically fulfilled in church 3) spiritual fulfillment in eternal state Classic disp. Literal fulfillment in the millennium Revised disp. As above Progressive disp. Partial fulfillment in church and fully in the millennium

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation Interpretation of the Sermon of the Mountain Covenant Way of life for the church Classic disp. Way of life in the Millennium; moral application to church Revised disp. As above Progressive disp. Way of life for believers now though fully realized in the Millennium Lutheran Theology Harsh commands as Law – demonstrates inability of humans to achieve salvation apart from God’s grace Catholic Theology Clergy-laity distinction – “higher” commands to the fully committed (Priests, monks, nuns etc. )

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Relationship between the Testaments more broadly* • Underuse and overuse of the Old Testament • Overuse – imposition of Israel’s theocratic patterns • Theonomism – Dominion theology, OT Laws valid for today’s society • Underuse – attempts to censure, cut off, or marginalize OT • • Marcion’s own “canon” in the 2 nd century AD Liberal rejection & conservative ignorance of OT OT as “evolution of Israelite religion” OT merely as “background” or “preparation”

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • What holds the OT & NT together theologically? • OT as preliminary, background, and prediction but also… • God of the Exodus raised Jesus from death – same God • OT “prophets…Spirit of Christ in them…about salvation” (1 Pet 1: 10 -12) • “prophecy-fulfillment” & typology • “pattern of salvation” – suffering and glory • Witness to God’s character and salvific acts • Together with NT and apart from NT • OT points beyond itself – to fulfillment in Christ and eschaton (in NT)

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Bible’s Historical particularity and universal applicability* • Bible written in specific time and place (history & culture) • OTS & NTS 501 – critical questions about time, place, purpose • Many biblical books situation specific (1 Cor; 1 -2 Thess; Rev) • Bible also “opens up” beyond specifics of the immediate context • • Some books indicate/imply a broader audience (John) Some situation specific books applicable to “all” (1 Cor 1: 2; Lk-Acts**) Collections of 4 Gospels & Paul’s letters paved way to Canon Bible speaks to universal concerns about God, salvation, purpose… Bible’s as Church’s Scripture – “our Book”

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • What is the role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation? • How is HS involved in hermeneutics and interpretation? • Do believers and unbelievers understand the Bible… How does one’s • In exactly the same way spiritual gifts relate • Similar manner • In very different manner to all this? • Can believer (non-believer) comprehend Bible equally well by applying the correct principles? Is something more needed? • How does the Holy Spirit guide the interpreter… • In mind – guiding/enabling the rational faculties? • Helping in technical exegesis? • Theology/applying the message? Enabling practice & obedience? • In a more comprehensive manner – how? Much depends on how we understand “meaning”

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Some biblical considerations At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ” (Matt 11: 25 -27) 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us? (Lk 24: 32) 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THEL ORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCTH IM? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2: 14 -16) • See also Acts 2: 4, 14 -47; John 5: 39 -40; 16: 12 -15; 2 Cor 3; Acts 1 -11; 15: 15 -19, 28; Rom 1: 18 -23

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Spirit’s influence – differing perspectives* • Sprit helps to apply the Word only Hermeneutics • Based on theological distinction b/w revelation and illumination • “Revelation” – only on biblical authors • “Illumination” – Spirit enabled application of text to present Textual criticism & Translation Exegesis Theology Work of intellect Practice Spirit • Bible itself uses revelation more broadly (Eph 1: 17; cf. 3: 5) • Too narrow and limiting role of the Spirit

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Believers possess a new “faculty” through New birth • Intellect is never neutral – new birth enlightens believer’s mind • Spirit-infused transformation operates on mind, attitude & will Hermeneutics • Comprehension of the spiritual reality and truth of God • Unity of God’s salvific purpose within the Bible (Missio Dei) Textual criticism Translation Exegesis Theology Practice Importance of Spirit renewed disposition increases Unrenewed mind ------- Spirit renewed mind

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • What about Spiritual gifts and experiential aspects of Spirit? • Spiritual gifts enable better understanding & “delivery of Word • Spirit-infused experience connects “past biblical reality” and “current Comprehensive work biblical reality” – experiential knowledge of God in/through Bible of the Spirit in all • Spiritual gifts and “technical abilities” in hermeneutical process Hermeneutics three worlds Textual criticism Translation Exegesis Theology Practice Importance of Spirit renewed disposition increases Past biblical reality-----Current biblical reality <------Various spiritual gifts----->

Theological Interpretation & Appropriation • Spirit’s work in the believer does NOT… • Replace the work of exegesis and careful reading • Give “hidden” or esoteric knowledge apart from the rest of the Canon or in isolation of God’s people as a whole • Mean that all parts of Scripture are equally clear • Work of the Spirit DOES alert to the importance of… • Dependence of the Spirit in all of interpretation – humility • All interpretations need to be evaluated by God’s people as a whole • Spiritual preparation, wisdom, skill and formation of all readers • Everyone can understand Scripture but God uses those w/ special gifts • Authentic spiritual experiences enable deeper comprehension