HERMENEUTICS AND APPLICATION

THE CASE FOR HERMENEUTICS AND APPLICATION

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

John 8:32, 36 [Jesus stated] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

           

  The inmate commented rather testily, “OK, I’ve heard and known the truth about Jesus for years, but here I am again. Where’s the promise?”

  Use of the principles of Biblical hermeneutics is a productive discipline for Bible education.

  In chapter 13 of his scholarly book on the topic, J. Edwin Hartill teaches on The Context Principle: It being a manner in which accuracy is gained through the study of either near or remote text bearing on the same theme. (The contrarian practice is taking words, verses, or passages out of context, Philippians 4:13 being a common example in often being given foreign meaning. It being a summarizing declarative statement after detailing the qualifiers; 3:13-15 for one.) Hartill states “Every sentence or verse in the Bible has something that precedes it and something that follows it – except Gen.1:1 and Rev.22:21”

  In addition, there is the need to define certain words that in the evolution of language have lost or changed in meaning, the word “know” being case in point; not having to do only with gaining knowledge but including “be resolved”, the form and exercise of life-application.

  By now some are thinking “This is common sense.” Indeed it is, but as Grandmother McGee said, “Sense is not always so common.” As matter of common sense, don’t people understand that education and capture of edification are two separate entities?

  Now for your homework: Read John 8:32 (and Philippians 4:13) in context and answer “Where’s the promise?” 

EBB4