OABS – FALL SEMESTER

HERMENEUTICS I

Class One – Aug. 3, 2002

1)       Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation.

1a)     Art of Hermeneutics – Implies skill and ability to chooses an
          approach

2)       Hermes – Messenger of the gods in Greek Mythology;
          interpreter to Jupiter. (Hermeneus = interpreter).

3)       Exegesis =

3a)     Eisegesis =

4)       Hermeneutics is a system of good methods and good rules by
          which to interpret writings.

5)       Hermeneutics is not perfect or complete. There may yet be
          principles, methods or rules to be discovered.

5a)    

6)       Rules are numerous because they are specific.

6a)     Only correct processes can be expected to give correct results

7)       God expects us to use the Bible to know Him

8)       The Bible is to be interpreted and used as other books.

8a)     The need for an interpreter

8b)     God is not at fault.

8c)     Weakness is with man

9)       Nothing has ever been written that has been understood by all alike.

9a)     Ever been asked, “Why so many religious groups understand the
          same Bible so differently?

9b)     Laws are specifically written

9c)     Creeds

10)     Inspiration occurs in the delivery of the message, not in its
          interpretations.

10a)   PERSPIRATION is used in interpretation.

11)     God chose to reveal his mind by word revelation.

11a)   He inspired the message to a few

11b)   God has no other truth to reveal

11c)   God cannot make it plainer than He did.

BENEFITS OF A CORRECT INTERPRETATION

1)       Heal Divisions in the Church

1a)    

1b)     Ambitious men and wrong

1c)     Right and a common interpretation

2)       Answers Infidels

2a)     Skepticism is a plant suited well to barren soil and it luxuriates in a
          foul heart.

2b)    

2c)     Discrepancies and contradictions perceived

2d)     TRUE hearts

3)       Answers the Question, “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”

THINGS THAT HINDER A RIGHT INTERPRETATION

1)       Inordinate desire to please the world.

1a)    

2)       Bible Possessed by Clergy

2a)    

2b)     Only when people allow it to happen

3)       Prove Existing Beliefs

3a)     The Bible does not contain the doctrine –

4)       Mystical / Mythological / Allegorical Book

4a)     The Bible

5)       Vain Reading Methods

5a)     Duty, w/o system, Favorite Scriptures

6)       Sinister Motives

6a)     To get what we want

6b)     We must learn

7)       Thirst for Distinction / Be on “Right Side”

7a)     Something New

7b)     Liberal mind

8)       Constant Attempts to Harmonize the Bible with Scientific Theories

8a)     We must follow rules and stay within the abilities

THINGS THAT HELP A RIGHT INTERPRETATION

1)       ***GOOD COMMON SENSE

1a)     Definition: The ability to discover harmony in the things that agree
          and to discover the unlikeness in opposites.

1b)     One void of common sense

2)       Faith in the Inspiration of the Scriptures

2a)    

3)       Mental Industry

3a)     Bereans

4)       Desire to know and do the truth

4a)    

5)       Spiritual Purity – single-visioned / eyed

5a)    

6)       General and Thorough Education

6a)     Have learned

6b)     Have a foundation of knowledge

6c)     History, Geography, politics, Customs

7)       Expect to Understand

7a)    

7b)     facts

8)       Pray for WISDOM

8a)    

TRUTH

1)       Truth never

1a)     Truth does not come

2)       ERROR – is dangerous

2a)     Error is injurious