Hermeneutics

Ferrin’s process of inductive Bible study takes on a relational approach that consists of three essential parts or phases titled Foundation, Framing, and Finish Work. The structured methods encompass studying a book of the Bible and internalizing it rather than just memorizing the words (p. 3). The author diligently explains how that through the devoted application of all phases individuals and group Bible study participants are sure to “fall in love with God’s Word” (p. 3). Ferrin presents and or describes Scripture internalization as taking in the truth and then applying it to everyday life or living. Ferrin pointed out that the benefits of understanding biblical messages book by book include the Living Word of God becoming a reality within persons that grow more enjoyable and rewarding as time comes and goes.

In my opinion the environment detects the emotions and through our emotions, thoughts are develop which leads to communication. How we language will determine how are thoughts are process and subsequently information is given. This component (author) is highly important because how the text is perceived can and will effective our relationship with God. Therefore, when things are not spoken in the content in which it was meant to be, our own ideologies unfortunately will be implemented. Stuart adds, “The aim of good interpretation is simple: to get at the “plain meaning of the text...Correct interpretation, therefore, brings relief to the mind as well as a prick or prod to the heart.”3 I grew up in a church that the author’s interpretation was not stress, simply stated, the Scripture would be read and the preacher would use life experiences to support his premise. Stuart rebuttal this argument by stating, “The first task of the interpreter is called exegesis. This involves the careful, systematic study of the Scripture to discover the original, intended meaning.”4 In brief, Scripture is God’s Word, and he wants people to read it because of its great value to

Logic is truly one of the most overlooked yet useful things in life and godliness. It is something that we, usually unknowingly, use daily. While many agree with the use of logic in scripture and bible study, there are many who think otherwise. Some others think it is unimportant and only for the scholarly. However, in Logic And The Bible by Thomas B. Warren, the reader is introduced to the reality of logic in the scriptures as well as its attainability in understanding. The author helps the reader recognize that logic is not just for the scholars, but also for the common man. Logic can be explained in a way that cannot only be understood, but a way that makes it able to be applied in the use of the bible student.

As Scott Duvall and Daniel Hays state in Grasping God’s Word, every copy of the Bible today is a translation, “unless everyone wants to learn Hebrew and Greek (the Bible’s original languages)… (Duvall and Hays 23). This being the case, people may debate which translation is more accurate; however, the best way to understand the Bible is by reading several different translations and comparing them to one another. The main reason several translations helps people grasp the full meaning of Scripture is because some translations are word for word, which is the formal approach in translation and gives a reader the closest possible words from when the text was written. On the other hand, the more functional approach in translation is thought for

The meaning of theology is simple; it is the study of God and religious belief. The definition is plain to see but it’s important to go beyond what is already known. On a deeper level, what is the meaning of theology in respect to a religious community and to a person trying to find themselves in God? How is everyone involved in doing theology all the time? In this paper, there will be an in depth analysis on what theology is, why it is important, and how people are engaged in theology all the time.

The Bible can be interpreted in a literal form ( i.e. direct instruction) or figurative form (i.e. poetical language). How one interprets the bible either by direct instruction or poetic language depends on how they were taught (Graham, 2009). There are two different categories professed and controlling beliefs in which a person operates within. A professed belief is generated by a formal verbal instruction which usually results in one’s behaviors not fully match with their beliefs. A controlling belief is generated by experiences that most often lead to one’s behaviors closely matching their beliefs because of what they perceive as truth (Graham,

The association further believes there is only one true interpretation of Scripture, although there may be several applications. The true meaning lies in the text and is that which the divinely-guided author willed to convey. It is recoverable through careful application of a literal (grammatical, historical, contextual) method of interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and in the community of Christ. The Holy Spirit illumines the text, enabling the reader to embrace the significance of what God has communicated, and to see the glory of Christ in the Word of God. To sum this up, they believe they are right about

Under resources, Green states that theological disciplines must be put back together. This would include seminary curricula and the “practices of Christian formation such as corporate worship, instruction, prayer and hospitality” (63). To help with the task of putting these disciplines back together Green points to some needed resources (65). First, reading Scripture must be ecclesially located. “For those seriously interested, an important practice is to cultivate interpreting Scripture with others who share the posture of standing under” (66). Standing under implies that the bible based material need their origin and structuring inside the community of God’s people (66). Second, reading Scripture must be theologically shaped in making sure that the old Testament and New Testament interpretation is incomprehensible without each other (79). Thirdly, reading Scripture must be seriously involved in discerning the varieties of possible readings of other biblical texts (89). Lastly, reading Scripture must be Spirit filled. “To invite the Holy Spirit into the interpretive process is to deny our autonomy as readers of

To articulate my theological view of scripture, I will address Scripture as broken yet beautiful, then express how I read and interpret sacred texts, given the need to understand the author’s intent, the historical context, and a Christocentric hermeneutic. This will be followed by the aim of reading scripture, which is not simply for orthodox doctrine, but for right living. Although Scripture is primary, it is not the only way God speaks to humanity, thus I will address the Spirit, tradition, creation, and experience as other sources of insight. Despite this integrated approach to scripture and theology, it is not foolproof or necessarily correct. Therefore, I will end this section with a discussion of knowledge and how we understand truth, grounded in the epistemological paradigm of practical

Considering that this view overcomes the apparent contradictions in the Bible by, for example, claiming that the account of God sending the Israelites to fight is intended to portray his desire for justice, it holds strong. Nevertheless, it fails to account for the fact that teaching within the Bible itself asserts that Biblical text is the word of God. Interpreters must be wary before referring to 'the teaching of the Bible,' for as John Locke asserts, [3]"the scripture serves but,

The third school of interpretation is Traditionalism. Traditionalists maintain that the Bible is full of truth, God is revealed within the Bible and that it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. One of the key characteristics of their approach to the Bible is its emphasis on the need to understand the nature of the different types of literature within the bible. However, traditionalists would not accept the fundamentalist’s notion of inerrancy as many would acknowledge that there are mistakes in the Bible. These are seen as a reflection of both the historical context in which they are written and the human fallibility of the authors. As with Liberals, traditionalists believe that some aspects of the Bible need to be reinterpreted for today. Traditionalists place a lot of emphasis on the process of exegesis. However, after establishing the intended meaning of the author the next step in the traditional approach is the question of how it should be applied to Christian today. However, whereas fundamentalists believe that the true meaning of a text should be clear to each reader;

In its most basic definition, biblical hermeneutics refers to the art and science of biblical interpretation. It is considered an art because understanding, which is required for interpretation, requires a feel for the subject matter being interpreted, not just an analyzation of data. Biblical hermeneutics is also considered a science due to the fact that some aspects of the interpretation process resemble the activities of natural science. Because of this dual nature of hermeneutics, it is almost impossible for an interpreter to arrive at a neutral conclusion. Good or bad, most biblical interpreters translate scripture based upon

It is important that we understand and preserve the many different languages the Bible is translated into because they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Through these translations we may find a deeper meaning and understanding. Jost Zetzsche stated it best when he said, “I believe that translations of Scripture are not secondary fill-ins but as integral part of the ongoing and primary expression of God’s message in written form.”

The fields of philosophy and theology are often grounds of debate. While some hold these two to be relevant and dependent on each other, others find them to be completely independent of each other. In John D. Caputo’s work, Philosophy and Theology, he expresses his view of these fields as companions. Caputo states, “Think of philosophers and theologians as fellow sailors on [the] ocean,” depicting his view of the interdependence of these two fields (Caputo 69). Through his illustration we can find the influence philosophy and theology can have on each other in facilitating our toleration of such a mysterious future and world.

Biblical Interpretation is important and necessary so that we can understand what the text is saying, what the intended theological message is, and how to personally apply and teach these Scriptural truths to carry forward the Gospel in rescuing others from despair and death to hope and life, thus displaying His glory and growing His Kingdom. It is about finding what God is revealing about Himself and His Son Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is for us to know that God desires to have a relationship with us and for us to be set apart in a covenant relationship with Him to display holy lives that bring Him glory. Interpretation, using hermeneutical principles, help guide us in proper boundaries for interpreting Scripture so that we can reveal the intended meaning of the text. Without this, we run the risk of imposing our own ideas on the text, therefore misinterpreting. Misinterpreting can cause us to miss theological truths, administer the wrong application, and neglect or overlook the meaning of the text which weakens the impact of God’s truth in our personal lives as well as others we are teaching.