Processes of Interpretation

11Processes

ofInterpretation

Processes of

Interpretation

I. Hermeneutics I. Hermeneutics

II. PreparationII. Preparation

IV. Application IV. Application

III. Investigation III. Investigation

Hermeneutics“the study of meaning”

Hermeneutics“the study of meaning”

OlderTendencies

The study of rules for interpreting

meaning

~Ermh/j Recent

Tendencies

The study of all influences on the

processes of interpreting

meaning

Definition of Hermeneutics (1.1)Definition of Hermeneutics (1.1)

Generaland

Biblical

Hermeneutical Spiral of

repeatedencounters

betweentext and

reader moving toward

better understanding

Hermeneutical Spiral (1.2)

Illumination by

Holy Spirit

Illumination by

Holy Spirit

Preparation Application

InvestigationInvestigation

Objectivist Preparation (1.3)

Objectivist Hermeneutic

Objective readers discover the meaning in the text itself.

Interpreters must prepare by learning guidelines and developing skills which enable them to be objective observers of a text’s meaning.

Preparation

Subjectivist Preparation (1.4)

Subjectivist Hermeneutic

Subjective readers give meaning to texts from their own beliefs.

Interpreters must prepare by learning about themselves and by being readyto express their own outlooks inInterpretation.

Preparation

Authority-Dialogue Preparation (1.5)

Authority-Dialogue HermeneuticAuthority-Dialogue Hermeneutic

Readers alwaysbring enabling and disabling

predispositions to texts.

Readers genuinely seek to

listen to texts as authoritative.

Preparation

Interpreters must be

more responsiblewith their

predispositions.

Preparation Interpreters must learn

methods which facilitate the

text’s communicative

power.

WriterWriter DocumentDocument AudienceAudienceWriterWriter DocumentDocument AudienceAudience

Investigating Original MeaningInvestigating Original Meaning

Importance of Investigation (1.6)

Ancient World of OT and NTAncient World of OT and NT

Writer Document AudienceWriter Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

ContemporaryWorld

Great Differences inWorldviews, Technology,

Social Values,Language, Religion

How can we hope to understand

the original meaning?

Challenge of Investigation (1.7)

Writer Document AudienceWriter Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

ContemporaryWorld

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Adequate Investigation of Original Meaning

is Possible.

Adequate Investigation of Original Meaning

is Possible.

Possibility of Investigation (1.8)

Writer Document AudienceWriter Document Audience

Ancient World of OT and NTAncient World of OT and NT

ContemporaryWorld

ContemporaryWorld

Necessity of Application (1.9)

Divine Design of

FutureApplicability

Writer Document AudienceWriter Document Audience

ContemporaryWorld

ContemporaryWorld

Great Differences inWorldviews, Technology,

Social Values,Language, Religion

How can we hope to

apply Scripture

to our day?

Challenge of Application (1.10)

Writer Document AudienceWriter Document Audience

SameGod

SameWorld

SameKind ofPeople

Personal Adjustments

Personal Adjustments

Cultural Adjustments

Cultural Adjustments

Epochal Adjustments

Epochal Adjustments

Through these connections and adjustments, we can

adequately apply the Scriptures to our day.

Possibility for Application (1.11)