Hermeneutics
|
This definition comes from wikipedia: Hermeneutics (/ˌhɜːrməˈnjuːtɪks/) is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. Modern hermeneutics includes both verbal and non-verbal communication as well as semiotics, presuppositions, and pre-understandings. Hermeneutics has been broadly applied in the humanities, especially in law, history and theology. Hermeneutics was initially applied to the interpretation, or exegesis, of scripture, and has been later broadened to questions of general interpretation. The terms "hermeneutics" and "exegesis" are sometimes used interchangeably. Hermeneutics is a wider discipline which includes written, verbal, and non-verbal communication. Exegesis focuses primarily upon the word and grammar of texts. Hermeneutic, as a singular noun, refers to some particular method of interpretation. ............................................................................................................Basically, in simple layman terms: Hermeneutics is the science and art of interpreting the Bible. By using certain recognized and established principles we seek to understand the exact meaning of the authors of scripture. The Bible is not a book on hermeneutics, but we see the importance on proper interpretation in the Bible. Exegesis simply means 'to draw out of.' Everyone approaches scripture with presuppositions and biases. However, we are not to read those presuppositions or biases into the text, but are to 'draw out of' the text, what the original author meant when he wrote the text. It has been customary to specify hermeneutics as the theory of interpretation and exegesis as the application of the theory to the text. In other words exegesis is the critical interpretation of your text. It is what you have come to the conclusion that the text says by applying principles of hermeneutics and bringing forth the historical-grammatical meaning of each book or chapter that you have studied. In other words, this method does not seek to apply the text to today's contemporary society, but seeks to understand the text in the historical setting in which it was written. However, the opposite of exegesis is eisegesis. This method does not seek to extract from the text the meaning of the authors of the text, but this method seeks to read into the text a meaning that is foreign or does not exist in the text. You do not want to come to the text with a preconceived idea of what you think the text says. Martin Luther, the great Reformer, once said, “The best teacher is the one who does not bring his meaning into the Scripture, but gets his meaning from the Scripture.” |