Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutics
(Class notes)
By Gary Delashmutt and Dennis McCallum
Interpret Grammatically, historically and Critically
- Interpreting Grammatically
- Interpreting Historically
- Interpreting Critically
Six Practical Rules:
- Interpret in light of the context of the passage.
- Interpret in light of progressive revelation (Hebrews 1:1,2).
- Interpret scripture in harmony with other scripture.
- Interpret the unclear in light of the clear.
- Interpret the "spirit" of the passage, not necessarily the "letter," or the literalistic meaning, especially when the text is a literary genre prone to figures of speech or colorful statements.
- Interpret with dependence upon the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to teach you. Mark T or F for each of the following:
- Proverbs 3:5 -- "Lean not unto your own understanding" means we should avoid approaching the Bible on a primarily analytical level.
- Since the Bible is "living and active," the interpretation of a passage may be different for different people.
- Unless we approach God's word with a deep reverence for God and a passion to know His will for our lives, we may often get the wrong interpretation.
- If the rules of interpretation give one answer and the Holy Spirit shows another, we should choose the latter interpretation.
- We should pray before studying that God will enable us to understand the passage.