The theories and methods of studying a text.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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" ...
8
votes
3answers
338 views
Is hermeneutics primarily descriptive or prescriptive?
I sometimes hear (particularly on this site) of hermeneutical "methods", such as the grammatico-historal approach, or literal-historical approach, or sensus plenior. These all seem to be tools or ...
7
votes
3answers
114 views
Are there scriptural standards by which a hermeneutic method can be measured?
Jesus appears to be specifically criticizing the interpretive method used by the Sudducees, saying, they do not know the scriptures.
Mt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not ...
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 ...
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. ... ...
8
votes
2answers
192 views
Are there scriptural warrants for using the rule of first mention?
The rule of fist mention is used by various forms of allegorical interpretation. Rather than inventing an allegorical meaning, clues are taken from the first mention.
For example: Garments are ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
379 views
Do any Hermeneutical approaches have a specific meaning for the number 11?
I have read that in biblical numerology the number 11 indicates a system or period given to chaos or disorganization, and a survey of the text seems to bear this out. See, for example: Meaning of ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
273 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 ...
2
votes
4answers
395 views
Which hermeneutical approaches support a literal interpretation of the Creation account?
I had always been told that a day meant 24 hours, but a systematic theology textbook I read disputed that pretty well. (Please do not address this item in particular. This isn't the question I'm ...
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
232 views
Influence of Tubingen School of F.C. Baur
What were the main conclusions reached by the Tubingen School of Ferdinand Christian Baur? What impact did they have on the field of hermeneutics?
7
votes
1answer
290 views
Primary components of lexical-syntactical analysis
What is lexical-syntactical analysis as it applies to Biblical hermeneutics? What are the primary steps involved in a lexical-syntactical analysis of a Biblical passage?
0
votes
2answers
108 views
Were the apostles “expert” witnesses?
The testimony of an expert witness depends on the competency of the witness, whereas, the testimony of an ordinary witness is validated by corroborating testimony.
We are free to challenge an expert ...
8
votes
1answer
225 views
How does Canon Criticism relate to the concept of a Gesamtbiblische Theologie?
It is my understanding that Brevard Childs's so-called canonical (or canon) criticism places an emphasis on looking at the Bible as a complete work. This reminds me of the concept of a Gesamtbiblische ...
-1
votes
1answer
108 views
Is there any scriptural warrant for the literalist approach to scripture?
Jesus appears to establish the Christological approach used by the apostles:
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of me.
...
9
votes
1answer
224 views
Structuralism's influence on Biblical interpretation
What is the structuralist view of literary criticism, and how has structural literary theory influenced modern approaches to Biblical interpretation?
2
votes
2answers
196 views
Is interpretation and application of the Bible dynamic?
For example, take a Bible passage X, which is in debate about how literally it should be applied.
Say we have person A and person B—in completely different life situations.
Is it possible ...
1
vote
2answers
210 views
Was the discounting by the manager in Luke 16 a dishonest act?
The shrewd manager in Luke 16 discounted the debts in order to win favor with the debtors. What hermeneutic principle should be used to determine if this was an evil act, or just good business?
1
vote
2answers
137 views
Are biblical texts concerning slavery transcultural or finite? [closed]
This question concerns cultural analysis as a principle in biblical hermeneutics, specifically the determination if a biblical statement has a finite application or if it is transcultural. But rather ...
9
votes
3answers
233 views
What hermeneutical approach does Hebrews use on the Old Testament
Psalm 2:7 is quoted in two different contexts in Hebrews, seeming to be used to support two vastly different arguments.
In Hebrews 1:5, we read
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Which Hermeneutical schema support individual portions of texts taken out of order?
The "Roman Road" is a common evangelistic tool that features quoting 5 passages from Romans out of textual order (3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13, 10:9-10.)
This has been rejected by some because of the small ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
How does “Sensus Plenior” differ from Allegory, Gnosticism, Kaballah, and Midrash?
People are divided on hermeneutic approaches. This is probably more true with the introduction of Sensus Plenior to the discussion. It would be helpful to have an explanation of it and how it differs ...
5
votes
3answers
191 views
Can we use “linguistic fingerprints” to identify different authors of the Bible?
I read, what was to me, quite an interesting blog post about different authors' contributing to different parts of the bible measured by analysing "linguistic fingerprints":
For millions of Jews ...
8
votes
2answers
302 views
What is “Regula Fidei”?
What is "Regula Fidei" and is this principle of interpretation considered obsolete by those who practice the Grammatical Historical approach to hermeneutics or does it survive in some form?
5
votes
1answer
208 views
What are the main tenets of the contextual analysis hermeneutical approach?
When using the hermeneutical approach of contextual analysis, What are the main tenets of this approach? How much context is usually necessary to consider?
13
votes
3answers
2k views
What does it mean that “Scripture interprets Scripture”?
What does the rule that "Scripture interprets Scripture" mean and where does it fit into a larger picture of the field of hermeneutics? What hermeneutical approaches use this as a guiding principle?
-2
votes
1answer
103 views
Does Joh 14:26 speak to assumptions about hermeneutics?
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said ...
0
votes
2answers
95 views
Does Jesus address hermeneutical assumptions?
Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot
or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled.
Mr 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: ...
4
votes
2answers
465 views
What are higher and lower criticism?
What is historical criticism (also known as higher criticism)? What is textual criticism (also known as lower criticism)? How can they help us understand the scriptures? How can they interefere with ...
3
votes
3answers
215 views
Is there a scriptural warrant for the literal-historical approach?
Jesus appears to establish the Christological approach used by the apostles:
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of me.
...
-2
votes
1answer
81 views
Gift or slaughter
Often we hear that the Bible contains lots of stories without indicating if the actions were good or bad.
When Jacob returned home in Gen 33, he sent the crowds ahead of him (Gen 32:13-21). By what ...
10
votes
2answers
336 views
What is a Horizon of Understanding and how can it be applied to understanding the Bible?
Hans-Georg Gadamer uses Horizons of Understanding as a model for communication, and the concept of fusion of horizons is sometimes put forth as a way of explaining how one can approach a "text", but ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What is an anagogical interpretation and when should it be considered?
First of all, what exactly is an anagogical interpretation? What is a good example of a text that can be understood to be anagoge?
Secondly, what textual clues should one look for when considering ...
12
votes
2answers
516 views
Hermeneutical Approaches vs. Inductive Bible Study
Inductive Bible Study teaches that you observe, interpret, and then apply scripture, and has lots of specific things you should observe such as word repetitions, structural elements such as ...
9
votes
1answer
223 views
What is the “Grammatical Historical Approach” to hermeneutics?
BH seems to be divided into several different approaches. What is the Grammatical Historical Approach and what are the primary ways that it differs from other modern approaches?
4
votes
2answers
138 views
How does one determine whether an apparent demand in scripture is absolute or relative [closed]
Jesus tells us both that "you should also wash one another's feet" and "do this in remembrance of me", yet most churches practice the latter and not the former. On what ground do we choose which of ...
