from derek thomas at the ligonier 2010 conference.
rule #1. what matters here is a hermeneutic for 'ordinary' christians. the perspicuity of scripture. that which is essential for salvation can be discerned by ordinary christians using the ordinary means of grace -- by going to church, reading the bible, asking teachers, dependable commentaries. no gnosticism necessary.
rule #2. scripture has ONE meaning. many applications, but only one meaning. NOT the middle ages idea of 4 meanings in every text. 'when the literal will stand, that which is furthest from the literal is the worst' -- Calvin. one meaning... because behind it is only One Mind. many authors but behind them only One Author. a rational, coherent Mind.
rule #3. scripture is its own interpreter. NO contradictions; somewhere in scripture is the explanation for the seeming contradiction that we have failed to comprehend. Be careful therefore of building an entire doctrine on one text.
rule #4. interpret obscure passages in the light of those that are clear.
rule #5. pay attention to genre. God does NOT have feathers, and does not cluck like a chicken.
rule #6. remember, writers sometimes wrote more than they knew. interpretation needs to be of the authorial intent of the ORIGINAL Author-- God.
rule #7. differentiate between description and prescription. read the narrative in light of the didactive and moral passages.
rule #8. no interpretation can EVER contradict the gospel. no interpretation can ever discount justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
rule #9. be careful about word studies. etymology. sometimes the root words wonderfully illustrate the meaning; sometimes they do not.
rule #10. beware of a false christo-centrism. ie. 'finding Jesus in every passage'. not every text of scripture speaks directly about Jesus. instead of, 'where is Jesus in this text?', it should be 'what is Jesus saying in this text?'. you can hear Jesus in every text, but you may not see Him in every text.
be prepared to die for primary truths. justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone is a doctrine we must be willing to die for. but secondary and tertiary truths are not to be held with the same degree of closed-handedness.
true, valid, rock steady interpretation that passes the test of time CAN be attained.
~lynnie
Darling - can I repost this - with credit to you, on my blog? This is one of the most amazing things Ive ever read, and I have a few people who read on mine, who *need* to see this.
ReplyDeletesure, repost it with a via link back! but those are just my notes, proper credit goes to derek thomas, eh? :D
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