THE 6651 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class I Introduction to

THE 6651 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS Class I: Introduction to Hermeneutics © Dr. Esa Autero

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 1. 1 Introduction to Hermeneutics • What is meant by the following… • Mom [at the dinner table]: “Only two more days before Christmas” • What about… • “I love you” [Teenage girl to boyfriend] • “I love you” [Mother to child] • “I love you” [Man to his Harley-Davidson bike] Cues and codes of communication and interpretation

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Biblical hermeneutics and interpretation • In what sense is interpretation necessary? • Does not the Holy Spirit “teach us all things…guide into all truth”? • Cannot we just say (like one student)… • “I just read it [the Bible] and God shows me the meaning” What is the problem with the statement? What are some basic presuppositions of the statement?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • What is the meaning of this sentence? GODISNOWHERE GOD IS NOWHERE • What is the meaning of the following Scripture? • “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Gen 1: 2)

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. (1 Cor 6: 1 -8)* Does this mean that all litigation is forbidden for Christians?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Why is interpretation needed? • In what sense is meaning of biblical texts “plain” and “obvious”? • What is the best/correct way to interpret biblical texts? • Is biblical interpretation an act of reason, faith or both? • In what sense is faith a necessary component of hermeneutics? • What role does the Holy Spirit play in interpretation? • What guidelines does the Bible give for interpretation? • How did Jesus/the apostles interpret Scripture? • Is that a norm for us?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Further issues – theology and hermeneutics • Absolute God’s word – history, culture, and language • Divine message clear – many passages ambiguous • Role of the Spirit – human role of deciphering the text • Objective revelation – human sinfulness & presupposition

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 1. 2 Clarification of terminology 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation [Gk. hermēneia] of tongues. (1 Cor 12: 10) 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained [Gk. diermēneusen] to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24: 27) 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained (Gk. exēgēsato*) Him. (John 1: 18) What can we say about “hermeneutics” & “exegesis” in NT?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Hermeneutics – from Gk. hermeneuein “to interpret” • Greek god Hermes & Greek mythology • Delivered messages between gods & human beings (among others) • Importance of conveying the message in a meaningful way • Meaning for audience in historical & cultural setting More than literal repetition of words Earliest hermeneutics* – basic principles of interpreting the Bible

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Definition of “hermeneutics”, “exegesis”, “interpretation” • Hermeneutics (two definitions)… 1) “systematic study of principles & methods of interpretation”* • Set principles or techniques of interpretation • Focus on author’s intention and historical context Emphasis on principles and definite rules of interpretation Traditional (evangelical) understanding

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 2) “ways to theorize about human interpretation”* • “What it means to understand” • Texts, art, architecture, communication etc. • Three important questions: • What is understanding? • How might we describe it best? • How might we understand better? Also known as “philosophical hermeneutics”

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • “Exegesis”, “interpretation”, “hermeneutic(s)”… • Definitions vary greatly: • Exegesis – actual processes of interpreting the texts • Sometimes specifically w/ reference to technical & historical context* • Interpretation – as above OR • Sometimes interchangeable with hermeneutics* OR • Drawing present-day implications [=application/appropriation] • Hermeneutics – critical examination of reading & understanding • Sometimes synonymous with exegesis/interpretation • Biblical hermeneutics – special reference to Bible

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • General hermeneutics – study of rules governing interpretation of the Bible in general* • Special hermeneutics – study of interpretative rules that apply to specific genres (Narrative, parable, poetry, prophecy etc. )* • Hermeneutic (without the “s”) – specific approach/lens • Calvinistic hermeneutic**; feminist hermeneutic etc. • Hermeneut = interpreter

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 2. 1 Approaching Hermeneutics • Basics of evangelical hermeneutics (simplified) • Continuity with Antiochene school and Reformers • The goal of hermeneutics • Understand God’s revelation in the Bible • Properly draw out the meaning of the text (exegesis) • Exegesis and application strictly separated • Exegete provides “raw material” for theologians/pastors Exegesis (of text) Application (of text)

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Proper method and tools of the task • Grammatico-historical method • Explanation of biblical texts (exegesis) • Socio-historical context & proper grammar • Focus on author’s intent & “plain and literal” sense • Proper use of exegetical tools and principles correct meaning • Only one correct (original) meaning of the text • Meaning is objective and discoverable/recoverable • Several ways to apply the text Author Text Reader

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Pros and cons of grammatico-historical approach? • Helps contextualize the text • Socio-historical, cultural, geographical gap • Helps curtail overt spiritualization and “Bible thumping” • “put on the new man” (Eph 4: 24; KJV) – choosing a new husband? • See also earlier example on 1 Cor 6: 1 -8 • Provides an exegetical & methodological starting point • Acts as a “guardrail”

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Some critical questions • If hermeneutics is such a simple procedure, why so much disagreement – even among N-American evangelicals? • Is hermeneutics such a simple procedure? • Is it about competence (or lack of it)? • What is meant by “authorial intent”? • In what sense is it possible to capture author’s intentions? • What if the author was not a good communicator? Or is deceptive? • Can “authorial intent” be applied to prophecy? • How is “authorial intent” related to the Bible as divine & human?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • In what sense can exegesis be separated from hermeneutics [larger framework of human understanding]? • How can one verify when objective meaning has been reached? • How does one move from exegesis to application? Mom: “Only two more days before Christmas” • How did Jesus and the • What if father is listening without mom knowing apostles read the OT? • Does meaning change? • Is grammatico-historical method found in the Bible [i. e. “biblical”]? • How has the Bible been interpreted in the history of the church?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Is grammatico-historical method also authoritative in… Study of hermeneutics has complicated issues in the past 150 yrs. • Esp. after 1940 s and so called New Criticism

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 2. 2 Three worlds of the text - approaching meaning • Three worlds – behind, within, and in front of the text 1) Behind the text – focus on the historical context • Socio-historical/cultural world (presupposed by) surrounding the text • Beliefs, rituals, customs, geographical circumstances, climate… • Aims of the author(s); rhetorical strategies & conventions • Worldview, symbolical world & assumptions of the author/audience

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Textual (pre)history • Traditions/sources that were used (Lk 1: 1; Acts 15: 23 -30; synoptic problem) • Authorship question(s) – many OT books; disputed Paul’s epistles • How sources were used, combined, edited etc. • Methods and approaches • Source, form, redaction criticism • Social-scientific, anthropological, and socio-rhetorical

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Evaluation • Presuppositions – author’s intent recoverable • History and plausibility factor • Progress in knowledge & understanding • Anchor in history and author’s intent (however elusive) • Time gap: to what extent is it possible to understand ancient docx • Uncertainty factor OR plausibility factor • Tendency to neglect the reader – possibility of objectivity? • Text world may suffer neglect • What about meaning for today? Coincide with ancient meaning? • Ricoeur’s “cadaver”

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 2) Within the text – focus on text • Important elements of investigation • Final form of the text • Textual features & artistry (plot, characterization, structure) • Textual autonomy – meaning not constituted by the author • Meaning resides in the structures of the language • Various degrees of engagement with the historical context • Methods and approaches • Narrative criticism (plot, characterization, symbols, rhetoric etc. ) • Structuralism (deep structure of the text) • Modern and postmodernist approaches

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Evaluation • Focus on the final form of the text • Careful attention to the text itself – semantics, structure etc. • Is it possible to treat biblical texts without historical moorings? • Not all literary approaches are ahistorical • Possible pitfalls • Free floating narrative text • Neglect of history and author’s world (connected to semantics) • Presuppositions • Texts are autonomous of author’s intent and (historical) context

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 3) In front of the text – focus on the reader • Textual meaning potential and polyvalent • Depends on reader’s presuppositions/method, interests, competence • Social location of the reader and reading communities • Reception and appropriation of texts • “text means nothing until it is interpreted” • “In front” – sometimes used to refer to “application” or appropriation without specific idea of polyvalence • Radical and moderate approach • Textual meaning is potentially (not practically) infinite • Textual meaning is constituted by interaction b/w reader and text • Methods and approaches • Reader-response criticism; autobiographical criticism • Reception history & empirical hermeneutics

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Evaluation • Importance of presuppositions and social location of the reader • Focus on present-day meaning • What criteria to use for verification? • Is meaning in any way objective or verifiable? • Are all readings equally valid? • What are the implications for theology?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Two preliminary approaches: 1) Dialogue between the three worlds* • “Meaning resides in the conversation between the text and the reader with the world behind the text informing that conversation” (Tate 2008) • Text produced by the author – conditioned by codes of the time • Texts cannot be questioned BUT author used literary devises • Some aspects of the author’s world are available for questioning • Reader interprets various texts from certain historical-social location

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 2) Grammatico-historical/syntactical theological method* • Historical setting and authorial intent as focal point • Grammar and structure • Author’s intent = intended meaning of the text • Assertive/propositional vs. nonassertive/hortatory language (Thiselton 1985; 2009) Degrees of textual determinacy • Theological relevance follows previous steps

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics • Orienting questions of hermeneutics* 1) Where does meaning happen (take place)? • Author’s intent? Reader’s engagement? Role of community? 2) What is the basis/foundation of meaning? • Text or author’s mind? No foundation – what is a “text”? 3) Is meaning limited to author’s intent? • Can meaning change according to context? (e. g. OT in NT) 4) Who or what arbitrates a correct meaning? Or method? • What about helpful, good, wrong or harmful reading?

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 5) What is the role of theology in biblical interpretation? • Primary or secondary? Or no role… 6) What role do events after the original composition play? • E. g. Christ event; canonization; creeds; experience? 7) What other disciplines may contribute to interpretation? • Role of theology, philosophy, literary studies, social sciences

Intro to Biblical Hermeneutics 3. 1 The Goal of Biblical Hermeneutics • To understand biblical texts’ meaning (historical/literary aspects) • To hear what God wants to say to us (not just “back then”) • To know His character and ways (truth) • Respond in ways that honors God (practice) • Proper application & hearing God’s voice for today • Avoid misuse (Lk 4: 9 -12/Ps 91: 11 -12) & reject errors (2 Tim 2: 18) • Charismatic excesses • Fundamentalist legalism/rigidity • Liberal critics