Hermeneutics

Heremes: Messenger Of Gods

Hermeneutics: Word is derived from the Greek god Hermes 

Hermeneutics: Art Of Elucidating Texts In Scripture/General

Theological Hermenutics: Art Of Elucidating Scripture 

Art Of Elucidating Scripture 

Historical and Cultural Context

 The first step of the process asks questions about the book as a whole. Who is the author? Who is the audience? When was the book written? Why was it written? What is the purpose and theme of the book? These are great questions to ask regardless of the book’s genre.

                                                               Literary Context

There are several genres of Biblical literature, and one book of the Bible can contain different genres and even intermix them. Below is a list of 7 biblical genres and examples of them found in the Bible:

• Narrative: I & II Kings, I & II Samuel, I & II Chronicles
• Law: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
• Poetry: Psalms, Song of Solomon
• Prophecy: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Micah
• Wisdom: Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs
• Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
• Parables: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
• Letter: Ephesians, Philemon, Titus
• Apocalyptic: Daniel, Revelation

                                                             Observation 

Start with the basics like ‘What? When? How? Where? Why?’ and move on to more detailed questions such as:

• What are the repeated words, phrases, or themes in this passage that may emphasize a concept or point?
• Are there any noteworthy lists?
• What is the tone of this passage?
• Does the author seem to be joyful? Angry? Mournful? Afraid?
• Are there any figures of speech that the author is using to convey a certain image or idea?
• Is the author comparing or contrasting opposing ideas to make a point?
• Does the author use passive verbs, or strong active verbs?
• Does the author express himself by using descriptive adjectives and adverbs?

Application 

In our fourth and final step, we take the principles we discovered and decide how it should be impacting our lives here and now in real-life situations. Application is meant to be more than broad ideas; it should be specific actions that change the way we live. It is easy to stop with the theological principle, but now we need to ask how it impacts us and what we should do about it.

• Make specific application to these real-life situations that answer how the theological principle should impact you in various instances.
• Once you know how the principle should be applied, test it to make sure it is faithful to the meaning of the text.
• If the application is true to the meaning of the text, obey what you have learned.

Snapshot

Those Who Dont Understand The Bible