WCBC Intro to Dispensationalism - Hermeneutics - Quiz 3

The most important aspect of Dispensationalism is

hermeneutics

What is Hermeneutics?

It involves the study and application of proper principles and procedures for interpreting the Scriptures

What are the two methods of interpretation?

Literal; Allegorical

What is the Literal Method of Interpretation?

Practice of interpreting the bible according to its normal, literal, historical, and grammatical context

Eight Points of the Literal Method

1. Ascertain the notion fixed to a word by the persons in general

2. The received signification of a word is to be retained unless weighty and necessary reasons require that it should be abandoned or neglected.

3. Of any particular passage the most simple sense is in all probability the genuine sense or meaning

4. Our interpretation ought not to affirm or deny more than the inspired penmen affirmed or denied at the time they wrote

5. Before we conclude upon the sense of a text, we must be sure that such sense is not repugnant to natural reason.

6. It is impossible to understand an author and to interpret his words correctly unless he is seen against the proper historical background

7. The place, the time, the circumstances, and the prevailing view of the world and of life in general, will naturally color the writings that are produced under those conditions of time, place, and circumstances

8. The exegete must seek to know the author whose work he would explain

What is the Allegorical Method of Interpretation?

"The interpretation of a document whereby something foreign, peculiar, or hidden is introduced into the meaning of the text giving it a proposed deeper or real meaning."

First Century Jews

There is no historical evidence or indication that the Jews in the First Century practiced any other method than the literal method of interpreting Scriptures

Philo

Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria

He practiced the method of interpreting the Old Testament allegorically

Two of the main characters during the Reformation

Martin Luther; John Calvin

Two main ideas of Gnosticism

All matter is evil

A select few have a special knowledge of truth

All matter is evil

They believed that the physical world was inherently evil

Belief about creation

Eventually came about the demiurge (inferior god)

He is the creator of the physical world

According to Platonic Philosophy - "Artificer of the world"

The craftsman of creation

Belief about Behavior

The path to spirituality is to reject my body and punish myself

I am already sinful so why does it matter what I do

Denied the incarnation of Jesus Christ

Gnostics claimed that God could not come to earth in physical form

Gnosis

To know

Catechetical School of Alexandria

Established in the 2nd century

The first "Christian" theological school that was founded in Alexandria

Founder - Pantaenus

Next - Clement of Alexandria

Origen

Wrote the first Systematic Theology of Christianity

Famous for his asceticism

Exegesis

To lead out; to dig out

Eisegesis

To lead into

Exegesis

What the biblical author meant

The interpreter makes the Scriptures say what God wants to say

Scriptures > Theological Position

Eisegesis

What the interpreter thinks the author meant

The interpreter makes the Scriptures say what he wants to say

Theological Position > Scriptures

Anthony Hoekema

Theological Position: No Millennium

Strengths of the Literal Method

Biblical Argument; Logical Argument

Biblical Argument

Dispensationalists believe that there is a biblical precedent for interpreting the Bible literally, because all the prophecies so far have been fulfilled literally.

Bible scholars conservatively estimate that Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His First Coming.

Every one of them was fulfilled literally

Logical Argument

God created language for communication

God desires to communicate His truth to all mankind

It is illogical for God to hide meanings that can only be discovered by an allegorical interpretation

It is logical that God would use language that can be understood in its normal, literal, and common sense

What is the Hermeneutical Circle?

a tool to help us properly interpret the Word of God

Presupposition

Something that is assumed to be true

Systematic Theology

Cross reference with any verse/passage in the Bible

Practical Theology

So what?

What do I do with this?