As someone has well said, the task of Bible study is to “think God’s thoughts after Him." The miracle is that He used human authors to do so. "Meaning” (of the Scriptural passage) is not our subjective thoughts read into the text but God's objective truth read out of the text. (from chapter 1 of "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount", a modern day classic)
There is nothing so dangerous as to come to the Bible with a theory, with preconceived ideas, with some pet idea of our own, because the moment we do so, we shall be tempted to over-emphasize one aspect and under-emphasize another. Listen to the wise warning from Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones… ( Hermeneutics - Study of Interpretation of Scriptures ) (See also Axioms for Interpretation)
#The bible experience index pdf
If you want more (a whole lot more) on hermeneutics then I would highly recommend downloading (free) the 152 page Pdf by Dr Stephen R Lewis which is the "class handout" for "Bible 405: Hermeneutics: The Study of the Interpretation of Scriptures" offered at Chafer Theological Seminary. The comments and "steps" below will enable you to practice good "hermeneutic" technique, but clearly cannot substitute for more in depth training and instruction in this area. Hermeneutics is the science (and art) of interpretation, in this case the interpretation of the Bible. The related Greek verb hermeneuo (click Greek word study) means to bring someone to an understanding of what is conveyed in another language, making it clear and intelligible and thus in a sense "translating" it. In Biblical interpretation you are seeking to place yourself in the writer's "sandals", setting aside any preconceived ideas, with the ultimate goal being to understand the writer's original intent, and God's intent which sometimes goes beyond even the understanding of the human writer (as pointed out by Peter - 1Pe 1:10, 11, 12- notes).Ī synonym for interpretation is hermeneutics which is derived from the name of the pagan god Hermes who brought messages from the pagan gods to mortals, "translating" them as it were. Webster defines interpretation as explaining or telling the meaning of something and presenting it in understandable terms. (2Pe 3:16- note cp Paul's parting warning to the Ephesian elders - Acts 20:29, 30 where "perverse" = twisted, distorted, perverted) Some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. The apostle Peter issued a stern warning to those who play "fast and loose" with the Scriptures, noting that Paul's epistles contain It therefore behooves all sincere believers to be very careful in our approach to handling and interpreting His precious truth (cp 2Ti 2:15- note, Paul in Acts 20:27, 2Co 4:2, He 5:14- note Pr 30:6, Re 22:18- note, Re 22:19- note Dt 4:2, 12:32 Jas 3:1). Biblical truth is the ultimate objective truth (Ps 119:160- note, Pr 30:5) for it is God's inerrant, plenary (complete in every aspect) inspired Word (2Ti 3:16- note). He said what He said and meant what He said, regardless of whether we as finite creatures can agree on what He said. God did not stutter nor did He speak in ambiguities. While there is no doubt that genuine believers will differ in their interpretations on a number of difficult passages, the truth is that every passage has only one valid, correct interpretation. We've all heard the following response when we have tried to share a truth from Scripture - " Well, that's just your interpretation!" This retort begs the question of whether there are in fact many valid interpretations or whether there is only one interpretation intended by the author (and the Author). Bible Versions - How Literal is your translation?.Introduction to Inductive Bible Study - Why do it?.