Interpreting the Bible: Basic Hermeneutics I. Introduction A. We recognize that the Bible commands us to study it, so as to be found pleasing in God's sight (2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 3:18) 1. It is not enough to just to read the Bible, but to also understand it 2. That is why we must study to be approved, rightly handling the word of truth! B. Part of gaining that understanding is to read the text and make sense of it 1. Even at the basic level of understanding, interpretation must be involved 2. We cannot otherwise fully understand a text until we read it and make sense of it C. Hermeneutics is a big word to explain the process of interpreting a text 1. Interpretation is not to be done willy-nilly, but must be dictated by agreed upon guidelines, lest chaos should result! 2. These guidelines are not explicitly spelled out in the Bible, but are manifest in how people within the Bible interpret other parts of the Bible D. Let us begin exploring how we are to interpret the Bible by looking at the most basic and general principles that we use II. Interpreting Literally A. The first guideline of interpretation is to interpret the text literally unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise 1. Accepting the text at face value is the most basic way to understand it 2. Example: Jesus wept (John 11:35) a. we can accept this text at face value b. there is no reason to try to interpret this figuratively or in any other sense 3. Genesis 1:1 a. the text is clear and plain and really does not have any compelling reason to interpret it in any other way b. therefore, we should simply accept the text at face value B. Despite this guideline, we must not hesitate to interpret in a different way if compelling reasons are present C. Use of Figurative Language 1. Be it through metaphor, simile, parable, hyperbole, metonymy, synecdoche, or other ways, when the text uses figurative language, we must interpret accordingly 2. Matthew 16:26: since no one can literally have the whole world, we know this is exaggeration, or hyperbole 3. John 15:5: Jesus is not literally a grape vine; we recognize that He speaks in a metaphor 4. Matthew 13:3-8: while a parable is true-to-life, as Jesus indicates later in the chapter (vv. 18-23), Jesus uses the imagery of sower and seed to describe a preacher and the Gospel, and that is how we should understand the passage 5. 1 Corinthians 11:26: since no one literally drinks the cup, we know that Paul uses the cup to refer to its contents, metonymy, hence not literal D. Context Demands 1. Likewise, if the context demands a non-literal reading, we should not read literally 2. Daniel 7: Daniel sees a vision; while we believe that he literally saw that which he records, we recognize that the beasts and whatnot are not to be interpreted literally, but refer to something else 3. Revelation, likewise, is a vision (cf. Revelation 9:17), and therefore should be considered in the same way E. Absurd or Contradictory Readings 1. Likewise, if a reading would be absurd literally, or would contradict another passage if taken literally, we need to make our understanding of the text consistent 2. Matthew 12:29: since it is absurd for Jesus to be advocating binding strong men and plundering their houses, we understand that He is not giving a literal instruction for us to follow 3. Isaiah 1:10-18: since we know that God commanded the sacrifices and festivals mentioned, we know not to interpret His anger as against the actions themselves, but with the hypocrisy and inconsistency of those performing the actions F. We can see, therefore, that we should interpret passages at face value unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise III. The Sum of the Bible is Truth A. Another guideline of interpretation is understood from Psalm 119:160: The sum of God's Word is truth 1. While every part truly works together, we must make sure that we do not misuse the parts! 2. Many focus on only part of God's truth and miss the forest! B. Example: predestination 1. Some read Ephesians 1 and gain the idea that God specifically chooses the individual for salvation 2. On the other hand, Romans 2:11 indicates that God shows no partiality, and 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:8 indicate that God desires all men to be saved 3. If God desires all men to be saved, then God does not predetermine who will be saved and condemned 4. Therefore, we conclude that Ephesians 1 indicates how God predestined that people would be saved and foreknew who would be saved/condemned, but did not predetermine such C. Example: baptism 1. Many people will focus on passages speaking of the need to believe, or to believe and repent, and consider that all that is necessary to be saved 2. In so doing, such persons exclude other revelations of God, such as Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:16-23, and Matthew 10:22, that also indicate how baptism and obedience are necessary for salvation D. Focusing on a part to the exclusion of the whole, therefore, can lead to "tunnel vision" of which God does not approve! E. We must, therefore, consider the sum of God's Word when interpreting IV. Let the Bible Interpret the Bible A. Another principle is to allow the Bible to interpret itself whenever possible B. There is no need to overinterpret when God has interpreted for you! C. Example: Matthew 13, parable of sower 1. While we might be tempted to interpret the parable for ourselves... 2. ...Jesus Himself explains the parable to the disciples 3. We have no need, therefore, to try to figure it out on our own! D. As with considering the sum of God's Word, by staying within the Bible when interpreting the Bible, the greater our ability to stay Biblical! V. Considering the Context A. Another principle is to always consider the context 1. This is a major part of reading/studying to understand the text 2. As it is often said, "a text without a context is a pretext!" B. Example: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 1. Such is what the Scripture says in Acts 19:28 2. Does this mean that we should think that Artemis of the Ephesians is great? 3. When we look at the context, however, we see that such is said by the Ephesians in a riot against Paul 4. The context, then, demonstrates how to understand the message C. Example: The gift of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-18 1. Many look at this passage and say that we should receive the gift 2. The context, however, demonstrates that Jesus is making a specific promise to the Twelve that is fulfilled specifically (John 13; cf. Acts 2) 3. Understood in context, we see that is not good hermeneutics to apply this promise to ourselves D. Context, then, is critical to proper interpretation VI. Conclusion A. These are but a few of the guidelines that we must follow to properly interpret the Bible B. We must interpret literally whenever possible, recognize that the sum of God's Word is truth and letting the Bible interpret the Bible, and to consider the context C. These, of course, are guidelines, and the Scriptures ought always be the source of authority D. Guidelines that replace the Bible are to be discarded! E. Let us use these guidelines to help us understand our standard of authority, the Bible! F. Songbook/invitation G. The message of the Bible is that God desires to save all men, and has allowed His Son to die for us to have the redemption from our sins H. Obey Him today! I. Perhaps you require encouragement J. Whatever we can do to help you, allow us to do so; come to the front as we stand and sing