101 Hermeneutics (copy)

Allegorize

– to interpret a text as if it were an allegory.

 

Allegory

 

– a metaphor extended into a story; the elements of the story take on meanings that are

different from the ordinary literal sense of the words; those using this method generally identify a deeper spiritual meaning to a passage.

Apocrypha

hidden; a collection of books in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate; Considered

​canonical by Roman Catholics; NOT by Protestants and Jews.

 Authoritative

 

– something that has authority and establishes a norm that is binding on a particular Community.

 Canon 

– reed; rod for measuring; most often used to designate the collection of biblical books

​Christians accept as uniquely authoritative for faith and practice.

Contextual meaning

– the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, or passage as it stands in

​relationship to the larger literary context.

 

Criticism 

– scientific investigation of literary documents to determine origin, formation of text,

​historical background, etc.

Cultural 

historical context – the placement of a text against the cultural and historical background

​of its author and its first readers.

Cultural relativism

 

– the truth value of any idea is dependent on the culture that produced it; this

​would deny Divine authorship and eternal relevance or authority.

Deductive reasoning

– draws conclusion about the particulars of a passage from a general

​conclusion already drawn

Denotative meaning

the actual things behind the literal sense of a word, distinct from that which might be implied (i.e. sword).

 

Didactic

 

 

– designed or intended to teach; this has application to particular literary genres within Scripture.

Dogmatic

– relating to a particular dogma or set of principles; does not necessarily imply a harsh

​adherence to a truth, simply follows a particular teaching.

Eisegesis

– to draw or lead into; the interpretative error of reading one’s own beliefs or opinions Into the text.

 

Epistemology

– branch of philosophy that investigates the nature, sources, and acquisition of

​Knowledge.

 

Etymology

– the study of the origin and historical development of words, their forms, and​meanings.

Exegesis

– drawing out; refers to the analysis and explanation of a text to determine the meaning

​intended by the author and understood by its first readers.

 

Existentialism  

– a school of philosophy that defines human life in terms of being or existence.

Exposition

– explaining or setting forth the meaning of a text; includes Exegesis but develops meaning into current understanding and application.

External evidence

– evidence that comes from literary sources other than the one being considered.

Genre

– a group of texts that share common traits.

Hermeneutics 

– science and art of biblical interpretation (1) science because of rules and orderliness

​required, (2) art because flexibility required in application of rules.

General hermeneutics

study of those rules that govern interpretation of the entire biblical text;

​historical-cultural; contextual; lexical-syntactical; and theological.

Special hermeneutics 

– the study of those rules that apply to special genres, such as—parables;

​allegories; types; prophecy.

Textual or lower criticism

 

– attempt to ascertain the original wording of a text.

Historical or higher criticism 

– validating authorship, date of writing, circumstances, authenticity,

​and literary unity of a text.

Homiletics

– the science and art of sermon preparation and preaching

Idiom

 

– an expression or use of words that is peculiar to a particular language, either grammatically

​or having a meaning that is something other than the sum of its linguistic parts.

Illumination

– the action of the Holy Spirit imparting insight and understanding to the individual

​reading of Scripture.

 

 

Inductive reasoning  

– logical thought that draws a general conclusion based on observing and

​analyzing particular facts, the opposite of deductive reasoning.

Internal evidence

– refers to the evidence supporting a particular textual reading from within the

​literary work itself.