The theories and methods of studying a text.
5
votes
1answer
45 views
Do modern interpreters use the methods of Talmudical hermeneutics?
Do Christian or Muslim theologians use the same rules as Rabbinate teachers do, when they interpret their respective holy scriptures?
I'm particularly interested in the '13-methods to infer from holy ...
2
votes
0answers
43 views
Accuracy of Alfred Edersheim's “Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah”
Edersheim's book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah has been called "one of the best known and most important references on the life of Christ ever written." However, a lot has changed in the ...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
Is the water jar in John 4:28 a symbol?
At the end of Jesus' conversation with the woman by the well, John records
28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to
the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all ...
5
votes
4answers
218 views
How can we determine when an image is a symbol?
Put simply, a symbol is a tangible representation of an intangible idea. Authors, both ancient and modern, use symbolic images to convey abstract concepts. The problem with symbols, however, is that ...
5
votes
2answers
72 views
To what degree is understanding the feelings of a biblical author necessary in exegesis?
I find that miscommunication is often about feelings and not words. Ancient writings requires linguistics, history and cultural knowledge to provide accurate English versions that convey the original ...
8
votes
2answers
110 views
What is the “systematic typology” hermeneutic method and how does it work?
There's a hermeneutic method that's been used on this site called "systematic typology". What is it? How does one apply it? Are there contexts where it is considered to be a particularly good or ...
7
votes
2answers
102 views
Does “days” in prophecy equal “years” (Daniel 9 - Seventy Weeks)
A lot of theologians take Daniel's seventy weeks and interpret the seventy weeks to be 490 years, a year for each day. From a hermeneutic standpoint, I seek to know if this type of calculation is ...
9
votes
1answer
137 views
What are the seven middoth (Hillel's rules for interpretation)?
The "middoth" were Rabbi Hillel's rules for interpretation. There are seven of them. What are they? Please list them and include one or two clear examples for each.
4
votes
2answers
135 views
A word for the fallacy of assuming whatever brings God the most glory is the correct interpretation a text?
I ran across the word somewhere in my reading, but I can't find it. It is a word that has the idea that it is not right to assume that an answer to any given question is right because it is assumed to ...
1
vote
2answers
42 views
Is their a name for a hermeneutic that includes experiential esthetics as a criteria of truthful exegesis?
This question is about the experience of a text. It is therefore a little lengthy because I have to provide some sample experience that I mean.
Background:
As a young man I was introduced to a ...
4
votes
4answers
76 views
Is synoptic parallelism a valid hermeneutic?
I'll give an example:
Matt. 4:17 (KJV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:15 (KJV)
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and ...
9
votes
1answer
71 views
How is literary dependence or relationship established?
I see many claims that texts are related to or dependent upon each other in many publications. For example:
Although Paul did not write Hebrews, the text possesses a crucially important ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
What is socio-rhetorical criticism?
I've heard David DeSilva and Ben Witherington III associated with the term "socio-rhetorical criticism" and Witherington even has a series of commentaries titled the "Socio-Rhetorical Commentary" ...
5
votes
3answers
104 views
To what extent do deductive approaches consider authorial intent?
Bottom-up approaches start analyzing a text by first determining the original intent of the human author of a text. From there, they use inductive reasoning to construct theories of broader meanings. ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
Which hermeneutics follow the tradition of Friedrich Schleiermacher?
Friedrich Schleiermacher is often referred to as "the father of modern hermeneutics." He was a Protestant, and is highly respected by many Protestant interpreters for his contributions to the field.
...
4
votes
1answer
96 views
Was Origen Adamantius an “allegorist” in the modern sense of the word?
Allegory is often referred to in a negative way (at least by Protestant interpreters) to signify a sort of irresponsible replacement of authorial intent with some subsequent spiritualization of each ...
5
votes
1answer
64 views
What is the “New Hermeneutic”?
I have come across the term New Hermeneutic a number of times in Christian hermeneutics books and articles, but I can't really find a clear definition for what this is referring to. (Most of the ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
What are the exegetical supports for each side of the debate concerning annihilationism? [closed]
In HELL: ETERNAL TORMENT OR ANNIHILATION? (Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D., Andrews University), the author presents compelling evidence for the theory that at death the unbeliever is sentenced not to ...
0
votes
2answers
112 views
Reading the Bible via verse and chapter and not getting the intended meaning? [closed]
I have noticed a very discouraging and confusing trend when reading the Bible verse for verse, chapter for chapter—more like a book.
I completely understand that we must consider context, time, ...
6
votes
6answers
188 views
What are the limits to the Christological hermeneutic?
According to Wikipedia:
The Christo-Centric Principle: "The mind of deity is eternally centered in Christ. All angelic thought and ministry are centered in Christ. All Satanic hatred and ...
5
votes
5answers
180 views
Are there any rules on which things in Revelation must be interpreted literally and which symbolically?
Are there any rules on which things in Revelation must be interpreted literally and which symbolically? The one that comes from the back of my mind is that if a certain thing or a character is already ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
How does a less Messianic reading of Song of Solomon interpret 5:16 “He is altogether lovely”?
Song of Solomon is a book with some seriously divergent interpretations. I have just started reading a pamphlet by John Flavel called Christ Altogether Lovely on this verse:
His mouth is sweetness ...
13
votes
2answers
237 views
Bart D. Ehrman - respected critic?
I found Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why troublesome to my understanding of the translation process of the bible. It has made me review my understanding of the bible. ...
9
votes
3answers
492 views
What is morphological analysis, as it relates to Bible study?
As far as I can tell, morphological analysis is a technique used by Bible students to better understand the original languages in context.
How does one go about using a tool such as Robinson's ...
12
votes
1answer
156 views
When is allegorization of scripture productive?
If I were to run into the story of the three little pigs accidentally used as a bookmark in my Bible I might draw these conclusions:
Clearly the wolf is the Devil trying to devour sinners who are ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
Catholic explanation of the “spiritual sense” of Scripture?
In Catechism of the Catholic Church we read the following, pertaining to Biblical Hermeneutics:
115 According to an ancient tradition, one can distinguish between two senses of Scripture: the ...
3
votes
1answer
219 views
How many “layers” are there to the Scriptures?
In my quest to understand hermeneutics, I am at the stage of reviewing the different "layers of meaning" to the Scriptures. So far I have identified two layers; a "literal" meaning and a "divine" ...
4
votes
3answers
541 views
Jewish interpretation of Genesis 1:26?
I am under the impression that the Trinity is a Christian idea, and that the Jews did not view God as "three in one and one in three". How, then, was the following passage interpreted by the people ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Were offices given to produce “unity of the faith” or to hold things in place until Christ comes and gives it to us?
Eph 4.11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the ...
2
votes
2answers
234 views
Are all major hermeneutical methods compatible?
I am trying to learn more about Biblical Hermeneutics, including the different philosophies Christians have about how Scripture should be interpreted. So far I have heard a wide variety of different ...
4
votes
2answers
447 views
What is “the hermeneutical circle”?
This question mentions "the hermeneutical circle":
I sometimes hear ... of hermeneutical "methods", such as the grammatico-historal approach, or literal-historical approach, or sensus plenior. ... ...
3
votes
2answers
231 views
How are verses indicating that God is a God of war, and others indicating that he is a God of peace reconciled to not be contradictory? [closed]
Sometimes, skeptics note that the Bible makes contradictory statements about God. For instance, is God warlike:
Exodus 15:3—The Lord is a man of war.
Psalm 18:34—He teacheth my ...
8
votes
7answers
510 views
According to Scripture, how should we interpret Scripture?
There have been many principles proposed for how to properly interpret Scripture. Some of those principles actually come from Scripture. Here are some examples of principles which seem to come from ...
6
votes
2answers
173 views
What are the strict set of rules followed by sensus plenior?
I realize there are similar questions posted but not seeking an exact explanation where it can be shown rationally that three or more independent people, not talking to each other, can come out with ...
0
votes
2answers
102 views
Does the Gospel of Thomas help in reproducing the hermeneutical methods of the apostles?
The assumed genre of a work affects how it is interpreted. Most have assumed the Gospel of Thomas is a Gnostic work and attempt to interpret it literally as such.
This question has nothing to do ...
3
votes
4answers
202 views
Was the angel of the Lord the pre-human appearance of Messiah? [closed]
I have noticed some commentators interpret the phrase "Angel of the Lord" ("מַלְאָךְ יהוה" mal'ak YHWH) in the Hebrew Scriptures to refer to a pre-human appearance of Messiah?
I am considering to ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
In Dispensationalism what rule determines applicability of a scriptural demand?
This is an attempt at re-scoping this.
Dispensationalism as an interpretive framework closely related to a doctrinal predisposition and a literal hermeneutic.
Given that an interpretive framework, ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Using literal hermeneutics how does one determine if a demand is made on the reader?
This is an attempt at rescoping this.
Given that an interpretive framework, whether it be a set of rules or a theological predisposition, guides the interpretation of scripture, what are the rules or ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
Can Enoch's hermeneutical approach be determined?
This is related to Jack's hemeneutical approaches
And follows Abel's hermeneutic
Enoch is the second on the list of faithful. Can we determine a plausible hermeneutic that explains Enoch's 'pleasing ...
-1
votes
1answer
59 views
Is there an interpretive significance for nashak (kiss) and nasak (burn) being puns?
It was suggested here that 'kissing the calf' may be a play on words for 'burning the calf'. Is there other support in scripture where the use of 'kiss' and 'burn' has interpretive significance?
See ...
7
votes
1answer
230 views
What is the “Theological Interpretation of Scripture” movement?
As the title asks--what is meant by "Theological Interpretation of Scripture", a.k.a. TIS, and how does it differ from other methods?
7
votes
3answers
943 views
What are the differences between allegorical and typological interpretation?
In a recent discussion on a question about allegory, it was pointed out that allegory and typology are not the same thing. What are the differences between the two approaches? Is one a subset of the ...
7
votes
5answers
415 views
What does Paul mean by allegory in Galatians 4:24?
Paul's method of interpretation in Galatians 4:21-31 seems a bit unusual as compared to most modern methods. He says these things may be "interpreted allegorically." What is his method of exegesis? ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Existing beliefs or contents of the text more formative in hermeneutics?
This answer states:
In general: philosophy informs one's reading of a text, not the other way around.
This statement in itself is an answer to one of the biggest issues of hermeneutics: the way ...
2
votes
2answers
361 views
Where did Abel get the idea to sacrifice sheep?
The purpose of this question is to examine if Abel's hermeneutic principles can be reversed out of the text. The presupposition is that Abel had access to the information contained in Genesis 1-3. ...
5
votes
3answers
287 views
How do I find out when a Bible passage applies to me?
Can I read a Bible passage and personalize it? Meaning, does it apply to me? How do I know when it is for me or for someone else ?
For example, Isaiah 54:4:
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put ...
8
votes
1answer
201 views
Pros and Cons of Barth's Commentary on Romans
What are the merits/problems with Karl Barth's commentary on Romans?
How much does he treat the details of the Greek?
What is his overall hermeneutic of the book? (Please steer away from explaining ...
9
votes
5answers
403 views
Is Ecclesiastes a book of negative wisdom?
When I was younger, I thought that because Ecclesiastes was so dour, it was a sort of negative wisdom—something like, "This is how crazy you get when you don't follow God." However, this ...
3
votes
1answer
237 views
How many common hermeneutical approaches are there and how do they differ?
How many distinctly different common hermeneutical approaches are there, and what are the major distinctives of each approach?
I'm not asking for a long description of each - just a concise summary ...
7
votes
3answers
272 views
How is this passage on the authority of women to be interpreted?
I have heard it said that 1 Timothy 2:11,12 is to be examined through the "lens" of culture but what Paul writes right after it in verses 13 and 14 seems to nullify that.
A woman should learn in ...
