Biblical Hermeneutics - Part 3

Instead of being passive consumers of Biblical commentary, we can participate in the forming of a very particular, but no less authentic, commentary of our own. The only thing that should happen between text and commentary is exegesis, not homiletics. In other words, we should not become reliant on them. Continued dependence on commentaries will handicap or hinder the development of exegetical skills needed to do independent pre-commentary study. This is why it is probably safest to consult more than one commentary and to consult it at the end of the exegetical process and not the beginning.

Biblical studies is never truly complete until we have attempted to reflect in a careful and systematic way upon what we have learned, and in reflecting, make creative and responsible applications to the situation of the church universal today.

Proper hermeneutics then, play a vital role in the evolution of good homiletics. It not only provides the rule whereby an understanding of the text's original context can be obtained, but it permits the context to be trans-culturally applied to modern times.

Sanders' sermons are good examples of sermons prepared in context and reflect skillful exegesis. He utilized the information he learned in study in very thought-provoking, challenging, and creative way. I believe he was successful in bringing the original context to contemporary times and make the truth pertinent to it. I was most impressed and affected by the sermon, "In the Same Night?" (the sermon can be read in it's entirety here: http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=800&C=1048)

The Old Testament narratives are not stories about ancient people who lived in ancient times. Neither are they allegories inundated with hidden meanings. Rather, narratives are stories which teach indirectly and have the intent of making only one major point though many may be derived from them.

Considered to be "genre within genre," the parables history of interpretation goes back to Jesus, the master Teacher, who extensive use of them betrays the fact that they were one of His favorite teaching tools. Parables come in many forms including true stories, similitude, metaphors (and similes) and epigrams. They function in a manner similar to a joke in that they seek to elicit a response.

The goal of parabolic interpretation is to "catch what the original hearers caught" To accomplish this, we must interpret to determine exactly what the original hearers received and how they responded to it. Having done this, we must decide how to go about reformulating the material in such a way that our present audience can be the recipients of what the original audience obtained.

The exegetical interpretative process begins by locating the reference points and proceeds to identify the audience. Since parables are used to clarify and emphasize a central truth that was being discussed in a particular historical situation, a thorough examination of the parable in its immediate context is also necessary for understanding its meaning.

In general, before interpretation of prophecy, epistles, apocalyptic literature and other unique literary forms can begin; several theoretical, theological and practical issues must be confronted. The basic question we must ask ourselves is whether the literature under consideration can be interpreted using the same hermeneutical principles that apply to other genres, or whether some special hermeneutical method is required.

Bottom Line
One cannot hope to understand and properly interpret Scripture without the benefit of good hermeneutical and exegetical skills. Hermeneutics is necessary because it closes many of the historical, linguistic, cultural, philosophical and theological gaps that otherwise hinder accuracy in Biblical understanding.

Exegesis is a discipline which teaches us to defer judgment until sufficient data have been collected. It teaches us to treat text with great care and respect.

Thus, our approach to Scripture is with an ear attuned and a mind open to what the text has to say before leaping in with a response. We recognize the need for approaching Scripture contextually; to probe for, collect, sort, discern, and weigh evidence. Perhaps most important of all, we measure what we have learned from our own faith tradition against the realities of our Biblical learning experience; to subject ourselves to the objective authority of the text before we attempt the mastery of it either as sermon, manuscript, teaching or discussion material.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.

Christian Science Monitor

Obama and the contraception mandate Christian Science Monitor The Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but an basic ... Religion's role in society and the Obama contraception mandateAlaska Dispatch Protecting our Catholic conscience in the public squareWashington Post Cardinal Wuerl: Health Care Mandate Really About Religious FreedomNewsMax.com Kansas.com -Canton Repository -Courthouse News Service all 1,182 news articles »

Deutsche Welle

The religious pragmatist who might be Egypt's next president CNN Abol Fotoh's message on religious freedom was consistent with his views five years earlier. "Citizenship is the base of rights and duties. Any citizen in our country, whatever he is, Muslim, Christian, Communist, Hindu, any religion, we should not ... Egypt elections: religion first, economy second for votersTelegraph.co.uk Economy trumps religion in Egypt's electionDeutsche Welle 22.05.2012Elections in EgyptEconomy Trumps ReligionQantara.de The Associated Press -Washington Post (blog) all 4,398 news articles »

Plain Dealer

Romney, Religion, and Rights New Yorker (blog) But, as I write over at Daily Comment, where I can be found on Wednesdays, being a Mormon and running for President introduces certain complications (for Romney) and opportunities (for the rest of us), in terms of a wider discourse on religion, ... Mormon effect: Romney faces 'stained glass ceiling' with votersSalt Lake Tribune Stained-glass ceiling: Study says religion can hurt Romney if Mormons don't ...Deseret News Will concerns about Mitt Romney's religion hurt him this time?Plain Dealer New York Times -The Christian Century all 274 news articles »

NewsNet5.com

Religion news in brief Fox News It provides exemptions for religious organizations. Omaha city attorney Paul Kratz has said the city's legal team disagrees with the attorney general office's opinion, and he doesn't think it will have any effect on the new ordinance. Vatican denies bid to keep Boston Catholic churches openThe Christian Century Greater transparency will evolve the ChurchEureka Street all 64 news articles »

Religion Study Suggests Faithful Less Likely To Punish Others For Breaking Rules Huffington Post Religion study shows nonbelievers and people who believe in god differ in their attitudes about punishment. Believing in an involved, morally active God makes people less likely to punish others for rule-breaking, new research finds.

Telegraph.co.uk

GI accused in Fort Hood bomb plot tells mom in jail visit that motive was ... Washington Post Abdo is heard telling his mother that “it's all true” and “the reason is religion. There is no other reason.” He says what he did was selfless because he was trying to avenge the United States' wrongful treatment of people he considers his family, ... Jurors hear from witnesses, recordings in Abdo caseYNN, Your News Now all 1,044 news articles »

Religion Calendar: May 23 Opelika Auburn News Southern gospel group The Jordan River Boys will perform on the first Friday of every month at Paces Pointe Fire Station on County Road 34 in Dadeville. If you have an event you'd like to submit for inclusion in the religion calendar, email the event ... and more »

Politics, religion and the struggles of a small-town atheist San Antonio Express That's especially true when the discussions of politics, government and religion intersect. You can say what you want, but you suffer the consequences. Your neighbors can like it or lump it or lash out at it. These days, there's a lot more lashing than ... and more »

Religious Space for Crowded Schools: Godsend or Trouble? New York Times By Fred Mogul While the city tries to exorcise the influence of religion from the public school system by evicting churches that rent school space for worship services, it's sending thousands of children to spaces rented from parochial institutions, ... and more »

The Media's Religion Deficit Town Hall Evidence of big media's bias against religion that doesn't advance the secular and liberal agenda of the Democratic Party is beyond dispute. Any faith attached to a conservative agenda is to be ridiculed, stereotyped and misrepresented. and more »