Hermeneutics: Interpreting Scripture

[PAC-fit]

I’ll be brief on my experience of how far my dialog elsewhere with the brotherhood are more in tune with the hermeneutical canopy of protection they aspire to. It has not fared well, which is why I am so delighted to find a thread devoted to the mix of that approach with unity.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.”​

(Isaiah 1:18)​

It has not fared well because of my willingness to always reel-in this approach a bit. Considering the fine quest for sound kerygma, I still feel the adherence is overwrought. And we are now at the point I have come to know and hold as the death-knell to that unity in past conversations with proponents of H-study. Therefore, in preference to that fragile unity, I will not bring before you my references (unless you do) to cite the NT spirit of hermeneutical approach and it’s severe lack of also mixing it with faith. I’m not sure I could even respond to this post, though I will monitor your observations. Thanks!!!

 

[GWH]

I’ll be brief on my experience of how far my dialog elsewhere with the brotherhood are more in tune with the hermeneutical canopy of protection they aspire to. It has not fared well, which is why I am so delighted to find a thread devoted to the mix of that approach with unity.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.”​

(Isaiah 1:18)​

It has not fared well because of my willingness to always reel-in this approach a bit. Considering the fine quest for sound kerygma, I still feel the adherence is overwrought. And we are now at the point I have come to know and hold as the death-knell to that unity in past conversations with proponents of H-study. Therefore, in preference to that fragile unity, I will not bring before you my references (unless you do) to cite the NT spirit of hermeneutical approach and it’s severe lack of also mixing it with faith. I’m not sure I could even respond to this post, though I will monitor your observations. Thanks!!!

My first observation is that your post cited IS 1:18, which affirms the role of reason in learning GW, so I will comment on that by saying that I emphasize logic/reason without intending to demean emotion. Both are important aspects of personality, but their relationship is analogous to that of saving faith and works: faith precedes love (per GL 5:6), and right reasoning should guide one’s emotion. Biblical passages that seem to support the view that human logic is a divine gift include the following:

1. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. (IS 1:18a)

2. “They hated me without reason.” (JN 15:25)

3. “So [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.” (ACTS 17:17)

4. “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom [right reasoning] among the mature…” (1CR 2:6)

5. “When I was a child… I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1CR 13:11)

6. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1PT 3:15b)

These passages indicate that we should think and attempt to learn the best beliefs/opinions or solutions regarding issues including the arguments or accusations of atheists.

 

[Karlon]

the best way to interpret Scriptures is:
1. become a born again Christian
2. ask the Lord to assist you in understanding the Bible every time you read it.
3. Have these verses in thought every time you read the Bible: Psalm 145:18, 2nd Timothy 2:7 & 15, John 14:26, 16:13, 1st John 4:4.
4. be patient, you will not understand everything you read the 1st time you read it.

 

[GWH]

the best way to interpret Scriptures is:
1. become a born again Christian
2. ask the Lord to assist you in understanding the Bible every time you read it.
3. Have these verses in thought every time you read the Bible: Psalm 145:18, 2nd Timothy 2:7 & 15, John 14:26, 16:13, 1st John 4:4.
4. be patient, you will not understand everything you read the 1st time you read it.

Yes to all of those pointers as at least part of the best way!

(I also found it fun to make my own margin notes in order to connect dots :^)

 

[PaulThomson]

I don't think that reflects reality. To love God is to hate evil, which is satan. Love the sinner, but hate the sin; satan is sin. I think God hates satan with every fiber of his being

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalms 97:10​

Which scripture says that satan is sin, rather than that satan is an unrepentant sinner?

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Which scripture says that satan is sin, rather than that satan is an unrepentant sinner?

He's the father of sin and he's the spirit of sin, so I think it's fair to say he embodies sin, or is sin, just like Christ is the righteousness of God.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44​

 

[GWH]

Which scripture says that satan is sin, rather than that satan is an unrepentant sinner?

Yes, in JN 8:44 Satan is described as the devil, the father of lies and a murderer.

And in MT 4 Satan tempts Jesus to sin, even by quoting and misapplying Scripture--which may be why he is described as an angel of (false) light in 2CR 11:14.

In RV 12:9 he deceives the whole world.

In JOB 1&2 Satan is described as the tormentor and tempter of Job.

 

[GWH]

What I posted on another thread is appropriate for this topic of hermeneutics:

Jesus taught using various literary techniques including parables, metaphors and irony, which means stating a truth in a way different from what might be expected, akin to paradox.

For example, in MT 11:16-19 Jesus quoted a jingle:

"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn."

Both of these lines employ irony.

Then Jesus said:

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard...'"

Again we see irony employed to teach the point that "Wisdom is proved right by her actions."

 

[PAC-fit]

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1PT 3:15b)

Correction noted, sometimes, no easy task, but then if we exhibit the tune we are called to carry (", , be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, take, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:10,17), we will proceed to do so with simplicity.

Again we see irony employed to teach the point that "Wisdom is proved right by her actions."

This almost escapes me, though I am certain the handling of those wise actions was never meant to include high-mindedness, but His enabled insights which, being the Author of peace and not confusion would oft be understood by babes, which are not the full handlers of His power.

Jesus taught using various literary techniques including parables, metaphors and irony, which means stating a truth in a way different from what might be expected, akin to paradox.

For example, in MT 11:16-19 Jesus quoted a jingle:

"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn."

Both of these lines employ irony.

Then Jesus said:

"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard...'"

Love the parameters you have collected here and elsewhere. Appears a healthy posture to accept, in fact I doubt I would bring much of any other points of prep under scrutiny, except to see you elaborate a little more on what the candidate could expect from Heb 4:12s "the word of God is living"? Is there a "strength" (Eph 6:10) we could elaborate on? Again, my admiration for unity is currently presiding over my going further into this prospect. Greatly appreciate the founding goal of this thread!!

 

[GWH]

some have indicated an interest in studying the doctrine of parables, so I will begin as follows:

The Parable of the Tenants (MT 21:33-46) - Jesus told a parable about a landowner who planted a vineyard and rented it to some tenants, but when he sent his servants to collect his fruit the tenants maltreated and killed them, so he sent his son, whom they also killed. "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

The disciples replied that "he will bring those wretches to a wretched end." Jesus then quoted the Scriptures, saying: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone... Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."

Therefore, the kingdom of God will be given to a people who will produce its fruit. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them, so they looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the people, because they believed he was a prophet."

What does this passage teach us about the doctrine of parables?

 

[Aaron56]

In my experience, to those who walk by the Spirit, the scriptures are a confirmation of their journey. They understand the words of Jesus and Paul et. al. because they live and have lived them. Those who approach studying scripture exclusively as an academic exercise are some of the most vile people (in and outside of the church) who weigh down sinners with burdens and guilt while dividing out 10% of their mint for the Lord.

One may know the original Hebrew, Greek, Latin, whatever but not have a clue about what it means. We are to know people by their fruit and only mature believers bear fruit.

 

[GWH]

In my experience, to those who walk by the Spirit, the scriptures are a confirmation of their journey. They understand the words of Jesus and Paul et. al. because they live and have lived them. Those who approach studying scripture exclusively as an academic exercise are some of the most vile people (in and outside of the church) who weigh down sinners with burdens and guilt while dividing out 10% of their mint for the Lord.

One may know the original Hebrew, Greek, Latin, whatever but not have a clue about what it means. We are to know people by their fruit and only mature believers bear fruit.

Yes, that is what the Parable of the Tenants teaches, and the passage also teaches that the academics and unfruitful realized Jesus was condemning them.

I will give y'all a turn to share before I continue.

 

[posthuman]

some have indicated an interest in studying the doctrine of parables, so I will begin as follows:

The Parable of the Tenants (MT 21:33-46) - Jesus told a parable about a landowner who planted a vineyard and rented it to some tenants, but when he sent his servants to collect his fruit the tenants maltreated and killed them, so he sent his son, whom they also killed. "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

The disciples replied that "he will bring those wretches to a wretched end." Jesus then quoted the Scriptures, saying: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone... Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."

Therefore, the kingdom of God will be given to a people who will produce its fruit. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them, so they looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the people, because they believed he was a prophet."

What does this passage teach us about the doctrine of parables?

they are carefully designed so that some people will see a little of what they mean, some will see much, and some will be able to see nothing.
some will think they see, but not see at all; some will be perplexed, and see well.

they show that God has omniscient control over His words and perfect understanding of the human mind and understanding, to direct it as He wishes, making both the ear that hears and the deaf, and the eye that sees and the blind, for His good pleasure.

 

[posthuman]

Yes, that is what the Parable of the Tenants teaches, and the passage also teaches that the academics and unfruitful realized Jesus was condemning them.

I will give y'all a turn to share before I continue.

if your conclusion from this one isolated and carefully selected parable is that all parables are understandable by all people always and are designed to be, your conclusion is in direct violation of much scripture, and is clearly incorrect.

 

[posthuman]

an engineer, a physicist and a mathematician were traveling aboard a train through Ireland. out the window, they saw a sheep in profile, and it was black.
the engineer said, "all sheep in Ireland are black"
the physicist said, "all Irish sheep are black on one side"
the mathematician said, "one side of one sheep found in Ireland is black"