Evaluating Biblical Arguments - Part 4

HERMENEUTICS #4

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

The THIRD principle of sound hermeneutics is the LINGUISTIC principle. This involves a good understanding of the grammar, syntax, vocabulary, etc. Often the syntactical structure of a passage is the key to its meaning. Sometimes, for example, the meaning of a sentence can hinge on something as simple as a preposition. It matters a great deal whether a passage says "because of,""through," "into," "in," "by," or "with".

In some cases, the original word can be translated by two or more English words. It is important to know whether the word appearing in an English translation is the most accurate one for the particular syntax and context. If a sentence refers to "this" or "it," it is important to be able to identify what OTHER word "this" or "it" refers to; that is, we need to accurately identify the ANTECEDENT of the pronoun. Verb tenses and moods, noun cases, participles, etc. -- all are important in "figuring out" the intended meaning.

Grammar may not be your favorite subject , but we need to be able to grasp the basics of grammar when interpreting the language of scripture. Without an understanding of grammar, we are at the mercy of Bible teachers who misuse, or are ignorant themselves of, grammar, and who end up with interpretations that do NOT fit the language at all.

Even if you do not understand Greek or Hebrew, an interlinear translation would be a valuable tool as you seek to understand the word of God. And pay special attention when a writer or teacher seems to ignore or violate basic rules of grammar in his argument. Learn to do "inductive" Bible study, analyzing the sentences, noticing the verbs, participles, modifiers, etc.

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

#3 = Analyze the LINGUISTIC structure.

Evaluating Biblical Arguments - Part 5

HERMENEUTICS #5

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

#3 = Analyze the GRAMMATICAL structure.

The FOURTH major principle of sound hermeneutics goes by several different names. The reformers coined two Latin phrases to describe this principle -- "Scriptura scripturam interpretatur" and "Analogia Scriptura" . Some have called it the SYNTHESIS principle.

What does this mean? Even though the Bible was written over a period of 1500 years, by over 40 authors, it is still one unified revelation from God . This means that the Bible will NOT contradict itself. In practical terms, it means that if we derive an interpretation from a particular passage that is in conflict with another passage, then wecan be sure that one of the interpretations is wrong -- in fact, maybe both are!

The scripture will not contradict itself -- rather, it will interpret itself. For example, HEB. 11:6 states that without FAITH it is impossible to please God. Now -- how do we know what that passage means by the word FAITH? Well -- the Bible defines, describes, and illustrates FAITH again and again -- and, in fact, that very verse explains what it means. FAITH is nothing more -- and nothing less -- than believing God -- trusting what God has said.

Another implication of this principle is that we should derive our doctrine from the general tenor of the scripture, as put forth in the large number of passages that speak clearly about a topic, rather than turning to obscure or difficult passages for our understanding. We should be grateful that all the major doctrines are supported by a multitude of different passages. So the difficult or obscure passages should be interpreted in the light of the clear ones, and not vice versa.

For example, there are well over a hundred passages in the NT attesting to the fact that salvation is based on faith alone in Christ alone, with no other conditions whatsoever. So any passage that seems to be adding other conditions should be examined carefully, for the scripture will not contradict itself. It is a characteristic of cults and false teachers that they tend to derive doctrines from a small handful of obscure and difficult passages that they have interpreted apart from the analogy of scripture, and then they impose those questionable interpretations on the much larger number of much clearer passages, twisting the clear scriptures to make them appear to agree with the group's peculiar interpretation.

For example -- we have mentioned Bill Gothard in here occasionally. Gothard has committed this exact error with regard to the subject of circumcision. He has concluded, from his reading of certain OT passages written to OT Jews, that circumcision is a spiritual and moral duty for the NT Christian -- and then he imposes that view on the NT in DEFIANCE of the many NT passages that plainly teach the exact opposite.

If the Bible really is God's revelation to us, then it must remain internally self-consistent. The synthesis principle puts scripture together with scripture to arrive at a clear, consistent meaning. Beware of any teacher who makes too much out of his own peculiar interpretation of a passage that ignores the analogy of scripture, or who does not show the whole spectrum of passages concerning a particular topic.

Ezzo uses a lot of scripture references in his teaching, but if you will follow up on his references, you will find that, shockingly often, the passages cited are not really speaking about the topic at hand, or they are not saying what he SAYS they are saying. That is a clear warning sign that he is imposing his own views ON the scriptures, rather than deriving his ideas FROM the scriptures. A discerning Christian who understands the importance of the analogy of scripture would recognize this fallacy.

The synthesis principle is crucial in detecting false teachings, and in learning to gain an understanding of the overall meaning and purpose of God's revelation. I will say more about CONTEXT in a later post.

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

#3 = Analyze the GRAMMATICAL structure.

#4 = Use SYNTHESIS .

Evaluating Biblical Arguments - Part 6

HERMENEUTICS #6

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

#3 = Analyze the GRAMMATICAL structure.

#4 = Use SYNTHESIS .

The FIFTH major principle of sound biblical interpretation is the PRACTICAL principle. This is where application does come in. This is the final question to be asked -- "So what?" or "What does all this have to do with me?" The problem in our day is that so many teachers AND students of the Bible want to jump directly to application, and bypass all the hard work involved in getting a proper interpretation first.

But application should be the LAST step, NOT the first! Otherwise, one has no basis for discerning whether a particular application is itself biblical and correct. I have seen this again and again -- people want ME to tell them WHAT TO DO on the basis of a particular passage, without even bothering to understand what the passage is even saying. And besides that, I am not the one who needs to be doing all the application for them. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. My job is to teach them what it means.

Jeff Hathaway -- a pastor and Ezzo supporter -- used to come in here from time to time to argue with us about spanking. Jeff and I disagreed sharply about this subject of biblical application awhile back. Jeff stated:

 I believe that it is incumbant upon Pastors when The

Bible does not give any specifics to 1. Glean the Biblical

principles on the given subject, and 2. To develop a good

comprehensive method for applying those principles.

My response was:

I disagree vehemently. I believe this is the exact

problem with the Ezzos and with many others. They have

derived erroneous principles, and even if the principles

are not erroneous, they then set about to misapply them. I

believe it is presumptious and arrogant for a pastor to

take such an extensive role in application. The pastor's

job is to teach the word as clearly and carefully as

possible, and while some application may be appropriate --

I believe it is much better to let the Holy Spirit do the

lion's share of the application in the hearts of the

listeners.

This whole 'comprehensive methods' approach goes to the

heart of my problem with Ezzo. It tends strongly toward

legalism and a formula-driven religion, rather than the

dynamic, relationship-orientation of grace. Well -- there

is MUCH more I would like to say about this -- but I don't

like long posts.

I usually refuse to even discuss application with anyone until I am assured that they understand the basic meaning of the text in the first place. The Holy Spirit may lead different Christians to apply passages in different ways. There are going to be many applications that are the same, of course, but not all. And it would be presumptious for me to attempt to force MY personal applications on others, unless I am convinced that this is an "across the board" application, so to speak.

All this being said, surely we can understand the logic that -- if I have MISinterpreted a passage in the first place, the odds are going to be pretty high that whatever application I make will be erroneous, as well. Accurate interpretation MUST be the basis for any accurate application.

And here, once again, we face the problem of Ezzo's faulty hermeneutic. He has twisted so many scriptures that his "applications" are consistently off-base. A faulty hermeneutic leads to faulty interpretations, which lead to false doctrines, which lead to erroneous applications, which lead to bondage, judgmentalism, elitism, extremism, and error after error after error. It all begins with hermeneutics.

#1 = Interpret LITERALLY.

#2 = Understand the HISTORICAL-CULTURAL background.

#3 = Analyze the GRAMMATICAL structure.

#4 = Use SYNTHESIS .

#5 = THEN you can APPLY the passage!

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