Chapter 8: Understanding God’s Word

Page 10

Here is one list of “Principles of Biblical Interpretation” culled from

an Internet guide on Hermeneutics.2

Hermeneutic Principles of Biblical Interpretation!

1. Meditate, pray, obey and be open.

2. Assume the clarity of Scripture. 3. Stress the priority of the original languages. 4. Look at the literary context. 5. Remember the basic unit of Scripture.

6. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. 7. Avoid confusion between truth and inspired record. 8. Never determine the doctrine from the illustration. 9. Check out the historical and cultural meaning.

10. Aim for one interpretation with many applications. 11. Always proceed from then to now. 12. Be careful about spiritualization. 13. Allow for the fuller meaning of Scripture.

14. Determine the teaching intention of the author. 15. Distinguish between the cultural and the transcultural. 16. Discern what is more critical and what is less critical. 17. Recognize the fact of progressive revelation.

18. Comprehend the biblical covenants. 19. Differentiate between Israel and the Church. 20. Separate between the rapture and the return. 21. Submit to the hierarchy of Scripture.

22. Know the different types of language. 23. Understand the use of language. 24. Highlight the theme of salvation. 25. Appreciate that all truth has not been revealed.

26. Acknowledge that the finite cannot completely fathom the infinite. 27. Beware of pride and prejudice. 28. Watch out for hobbyhorses and pet peeves. 29. Respect the insight of other Christians. 30. Consider the historical interpretations of the text.