Welcome to Hermeneutics We will begin shortly This

Welcome to Hermeneutics We will begin shortly. This class is interactive. You will need to access you computer/phone to search the internet and explore/use tools If you have invited someone to join who does not normally join, please put a note of their name in the chat so we can admit them once they join.

Why Study and Learn Hermeneutics? 1. Scripture is the basis of what we believe and how we live. 2. There is much bad and false teaching of Scripture (2 Tim 4: 3 -4). 3. There are many opinions about what Scripture means. Which is correct? 4. It is commanded in Scripture. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2: 15 (NIV)

What is Scripture? The Author: 1 Thess 2: 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe 2. 2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

What is Scripture? The Writers: 1. 40 Different Men for various occupations, socio-economic situations and ages over a period of around 2000 years 2. 2 Peter 1: 20 -21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

What is Scripture? The Authority Of: 1. Inerrant (Without Error) : Prov 30: 5; Ps 12: 6; 2 Sam 22: 31) a. ) God does not Lie (Heb 6: 18; Tit 1: 2) b. ) God is Truth (John 14: 6) c. ) Jesus’ declaration (John 17: 17) b. ) Psalmist’s declaration (Psalm 119: 160) The Value Of: 1. Ps 19: 7 -11 1. Ps 119: 9, 11, 50 1. 2 Tim 3: 16

What is Scripture? Make Up Of: 1. 66 Books 2. 2 Divisions (Covenants) a. ) Old Covenant Ø Ø Ø Books of the Law (Pentateuch) Books of History Books of Poetry Major Prophets Minor Prophets b. ) New Covenant Ø Narrative (Gospels/Acts) Ø Didactic (Pauline/General Epistles) Ø Apocalyptic (Revelation)

What is Scripture? Make Up Of (cont): 3. Literary Content and Styles Ø Narrative Ø Didactic Ø Poetic Use or Purpose of Scripture?

What is Hermeneutics? Hermeneutics is: 1. Defined as the art and science of biblical interpretation a. ) Science - it has rules which can be classified in an orderly system b. ) Art – communication is flexible c. ) You must learn the rules of interpretation as well as the art of applying them 2. Subcategories a. ) General Hermeneutics – rule governing interpretation of Whole Bible b. ) Specific Hermeneutics – rule applying to specific genre (parables, allegories, types, apocalyptic)

What is Hermeneutics? Biblical studies related to Hermeneutics: 1. Canonicity: differentiation between those books which bear the stamp of divine inspiration and those that don’t. 2. Textual Criticism: the attempt to ascertain the original wording of the text. 3. Historic/higher Criticism: the study of authorship, audience, date of writing, historic context around writing, authenticity of content and literary unity. 4. Exegesis: application of principles of hermeneutics to arrive at a correct understanding from the text.

What is Hermeneutics? Biblical studies related to Hermeneutics (cont): 5. Theology: Ø Biblical Theology – looks at how specific knowledge built on the revelation already given through the Old and New Testament Ø Systematic Theology – Organizes biblical data in a logical rather than historic manner Ø Practical Theology – takes what is learned from exegesis and theology and applies it to our everyday life

What is Hermeneutics? Practical Theology (Life) Biblical/Systematic Theology Hermeneutics (exegesis) Textual Criticism Higher Criticism Canonicity

Why Study Hermeneutics? 1. Historical Gap – time separate us from the original author 2. Cultural Gap – difference between ancient Hebrews, 1 st century Mediterranean world and our 21 st century world 3. Philosophical Gap – difference in worldviews 4. Linguistic Gap – Bible writtenin Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.

Types of Bible Study? 1. Inductive – (out of) – intentional in hearing the message of the Bible on its own terms 2. Deductive – starts with a specific subject and studying the whole of scripture concerning that subject 3. Exegesis– seeks an explanation or critical interpretation of a text

Principle #1: Context Communication never occurs in a vacuum.