Hermeneutics Intro: Does it Matter?

Hermeneutics. What a word! What does it mean? Does it even matter? How does it apply to my everyday life as a Christian? These are the questions we are going to look at and briefly answer here. I remember when someone first told me about hermeneutics all I could think was “Herman who?” Yet soon after I would come to realize its great importance and benefit to the life of the average Christian. I used to think it was just for academia, pastors, and theologians.

However, hermeneutics matter a lot more to our everyday lives than we realize. Now with that said, what does the word even mean? Hermeneutics is the study of interpreting scripture. Proper hermeneutics (Scripture interpretation) is a systematic view that helps us evaluate and interpret scripture with key components. These components consist of historical reference and culture, context concluded by the passage, the intent of the writer, the person or group it was written to, the words chosen and phrasing, and so on. Now there is a lot that goes into proper hermeneutics and interpreting scripture, we are only going to scratch the surface here.

If scripture is inherent and infallible, the foundation of truth, why then are there so many different interpretations?

Inherent and infallible are both theological terms in lay meaning without error and cannot fail. Scripture is inherent and infallible meaning that the message in which it contains is completely true and has no errors and cannot error. We can trust it completely. However, over the past two thousand years there have been many copies of scripture found which have contained grammatical differences. Some try to say this damages the credibility of scripture, yet the content and message have never changed, it has persevered and remained. We can be confident that what was written thousands of years ago is still the same message today. Thus, inherent and infallible.

We must acknowledge that there is such a thing as misinterpretation and false interpretation of scripture. To say otherwise begins the slippery process of subjective interpretation which in turn always changes and cannot be inherent and infallible. Subjective interpretation by its base definition means that the original message is not preserved. We must first acknowledge that there is such a thing as misinterpreting. We must also acknowledge that there is proper interpretation. This should not come from a place of pride, but rather from discipline to grow in the faith. God said what he said. What was written has not changed.

False teaching is almost always birthed from the misinterpretation of scripture. It is taking a verse or passage and deciding how you feel about it and then preaching, rather than studying, reflecting, and speaking what was meant in the original context. The truths of the Bible are timeless, just because it was written thousands of years ago, doesn’t mean it no longer applies to our lives today. Rather it is the complete opposite. God inspired the human writers of the Bible to lay out the truths of living God’s way in God’s world. Because of this, we cannot just add whatever we want to scripture. We can not just interpret it however we feel that day. We can learn what is right by making sure we first interpret scripture properly.

Scripture is to be interpreted by truth and not by our feelings.

When reading scripture, we have a natural bias to place ourselves into scripture. We tend to view scripture through the lens of our current life circumstances. We become David. We become Abraham. We become the nation of Israel. Though it sounds a little ridiculous out loud, it is often how we approach scripture; instead of looking at a passage in its entirety. Scripture is filled with hard truths that go against our initial bias in what we think or feel. It causes us to pause and reflect on its implications in our lives.

Simply put, we are not David but we do learn from David's walk with God and from his failures. We are not Abraham, we aren’t who God promised would be the father of many nations. We are not the nation of Israel, God spoke to them specific promises for a season and a direction. As much as we would like to interpret these passages based on what best suits us at that moment; God’s word was written for more than just justifying our circumstances or lifestyle. It is meant to convict us and transform our lifestyle.

Scripture is both the living and active word of God and a work of historical literature. As we can see in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” as well as 2nd Timothy 3:15-17 “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (See also Isaiah 55:11, John 1:1, John 6:63, Job 23:12, Ephesians 6:17)

Scripture is God’s delegated and supreme authority unto man. It was written by physical men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is both the living and active word of God and a work of historical documentation and correction. What happens in scripture, actually happened. They aren’t just fairytales. Many misinterpretations come within this paradigm. People either neglect the historical context of scripture or abandon the supernatural aspect of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God’s word was written in a time, to a group of people, in a historical context. It was also written to inspire us and guide us in our faith walk.

Proper scripture interpretation shapes our beliefs; our beliefs do not shape scripture.

When we properly interpret a passage, it should spur us, shape us, and change us. It is when we apply this to our lives that we begin to experience the life-transformative power of God’s word. Improper interpretation tries to shift scripture to our feelings, current understanding, or current life circumstances. Often to justify our personal standing or opinion. A great example of misinterpreting scripture is the story of a woman who divorced her husband because the book of Colossians talks about “putting on the new man.” True story.

God’s word strengthens and renews the believer. It is what we must feed our souls daily. We use the phrase feed because as a believer it is the spiritual nourishment that grows us. Just like food sustains the body, God’s word grows and sustains our faith. As Jesus says in Matthew 4:4 “….It is written.. Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Or look at Psalm 138:3 “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.” even Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The word of God is knowledge. It is true. But even more, it is sweeter than honey and that which the Lord uses to feed and renew our souls. It is that which sustains us.

Proverbs 29:25 says “the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Trusting in the Lord is the central essence of our faith. This is something that needs to be exercised and encouraged daily. That only comes from engaging with God’s word and allowing its truth to shape and change us. The transformational effect in our lives comes from the power of the Holy Spirit and conviction of God’s word. It moves our hearts to begin to delight in the things of God. Psalm chapter 1 verse 2 says “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” This level of reflection has a practical effect on our lives.

Applying hermeneutics to everyday life.

How do you begin to apply the components of proper hermeneutics to your everyday life? One easy way is the idea of an inductive study. Breaking down the passage by asking five simple questions. 1. When was it written? 2. Who was it written to? 3. What is the context? 4. Why was it written? 5. For what purpose was it written? By applying these five simple questions to your everyday reading you will begin to develop a deeper understanding of God’s word. You grow in confidence as you begin to know that what God said, he meant. In today’s age, the average proficiency or literacy of scripture is very low, if at all existent. This has caused many to fall in love with a Jesus they may not even know. Harsh, but a reality of many believers today.

Let’s look at an example. A popularly quoted “coffee cup” verse.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse has been seen on tons of coffee cups, home decor, football players, notebooks, and so much more. Often it is viewed as the “empowerment” verse in such a way that we can overcome any challenge! Like waking up on the wrong side of the bed, children talking back, working out in the gym, and so on. However, that is not a complete view of this verse. Let’s break it down using the inductive method.

Verse: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13

1Q: When was it written?

1A: The Book of Phillippians was most likely written around 61 A.D. during Paul’s Roman imprisonment. (How do you find this kind of information? Often it is written on the front page of that book in many Bibles. Especially in study bibles.)

2Q: Who was it written to?

2A: To the saints in Philippi. (Where do we find this answer? Philippians 1:1.)

3Q: What is the context?

3A: Paul is talking about God’s provision in his life and ministry. He says that he knows what it’s like to be humbled, and he knows what it’s like to be well-known. He knows what it’s like to live in an abundance of stuff, and he knows how to live with nothing. He knows what it’s like to always have food, and he knows being hungry. Yet in all things, he can persevere for the gospel because God will always provide for his needs. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” Remember the answer to question 1, Paul wrote this while he was in prison.

4Q&5Q: Why was it written? And for what purpose?

4A&5A: Paul wrote this at the end of his letter when he was encouraging the church in Philippi. He was expressing his gratefulness for their love and concern for him while in prison. Paul then made sure that they knew that he was not writing the letter to ask for things but to thank them and encourage them for their support and concern. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” …….. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” vs 11, 13.

As you can see, proper hermeneutics can change the way we have grown up knowing a verse. It allows us to see what God meant when he inspired its writing. Just by applying the basics of properly interpreting scripture, we discovered a wealth of encouragement in just 1 single verse. Now imagine what this could mean for your faith walk as you apply this to more than just a single verse.

So, hermeneutics, does it matter? Absolutely.