Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Trace the origin and definition of hermeneutics, from Hermes the messenger who interprets communication to its use for written and verbal language, including biblical references.

Illuminate the Bible’s nature and arrangement, detailing canon and the 39 Old Testament books—law, prophets, writings. Outline the 27 New Testament books—gospels, acts, epistles, and revelation.

The lecture contrasts general revelation through creation with special revelation through the Bible and Christ, showing how God reveals himself to all and through his word.

Define inspiration as God-breathed scripture and explain verbal plenary inspiration. Compare four views of scripture's status and argue that the Bible is the word of God.

Examine the doctrine of inerrancy, asserting that every word of God proves true. Cite Deuteronomy 18:18, Hebrews 6:18, Titus 1:2, and Proverbs 30:5 to show divine trustworthiness.

Explore infallibility and the Bible's reliability, grounded in passages that affirm the word of the Lord as pure, trustworthy, and authoritative, a lamp shining in a dark place.

Explore the authority of the Bible as God's sovereign word, grounded in divine origin, and examine scripture's infallibility, inspiration, general and special revelation, and hermeneutics.

Biblical hermeneutics is a science and an art of interpreting the Bible, using organized rules and seeking the text's meaning tied to the author's intent and life application.

Explore why hermeneutics matters when reading scripture by addressing historical, cultural, philosophical, and linguistic obstacles and by learning how exegesis reveals the author's intended meaning.

Identify the central theme and interpret words literally unless contradiction arises, avoiding cherry-picking. Consider surrounding context, grammar, idiom, and cross-text harmony to ensure faithful interpretation.

Explore misapplied scripture, from 'guide of my youth' and 'they seek me early' to misreading 'present your bodies a living sacrifice.' Learn the three senses of interpreting scripture.

Explore the three senses of scripture—from the literal to symbolic readings—and study biblical literary forms like poetry, parables, allegory, metaphors, narrative, satire, and hyperbole with concrete examples.

Explore how the Old Testament is used literally and non-literally in the New Testament, with examples from Matthew, Luke, Acts, Hebrews, and John that illustrate prophecy fulfillment.

The implications of biblical hermeneutics show that readers know God as the ultimate author, that scripture reveals creation, is canonically coherent, and centers on Christ, interpreted through the grammatical-historical method.

Explore the origins of hermeneutics, the nature of scripture, and the roles of general and special revelation, inspiration, and authority in biblical interpretation.