1. WHAT IS HERMENEUTICS?
Broadly speaking, Hermeneutics is the science and art of interpretation. That is, the application of set rules and practical know how to handling or interpreting any material or document that requires interpretation. From the general term we are able to infer a definition for our aspect known and called Biblical, Sacred or Scriptural hermeneutics the science and art of interpreting the scriptures.
2. SOURCE OF THE WORD ‘HERMENEUTICS’
The Hermeneutics’ is derived from a Greek word Hermenue (verb) which means to interpret or to explain
Hermeneia (noun) means interpretation or explanation.
These two words have their root in the Greek god’s name called “Hermes’ who was said to be The Bringer of Messages from other gods to mortals. He was also regarded as the god of science, invention, eloquence, speech, writing and art.
Hermeneutics forms a bridge between known and unknown words Study Mk. 5:4 15 22 Matt 27.46 Lk 24:27 Matt. 1:23. In. 1:8,38, Acts 4:36. There would have been a lot offalse meanings or connotation, confusion and error where interpretation is not done. Whereas meanings are not transferrable no word double meaning There could be several applications of a passage there is only one basic meaning to any word or passage (In. 9.7: Acts 9:36 13 B). Because of lack of proper interpretation many people have brought on themselves terrible things (1 Cor. 14:27:28. Heb. 7. 1,2). Things that would have been obscured to readers have been brought to light by hermeneutics
3. DIVISIONS OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS
Generally Biblical Hermeneutics can be divided to two parts, namely general and special hermeneutics
(a) General Hermeneutics
This refers to the principle of interpretation that applies to the whole Bible. This aspect deals with general principles which may not be able to get down-to-earth result or meaning of certain aspects.
(b) Special Hermeneutics
This refers to the principle that applies to the interpretation of special areas. aspects or segments of the Bible alone eg prophecy, parables, poetry, types, symbols, Allegories etc. The general rule may not succeed in carrying us to definite meanings.
WHY IS HERMENEUTICS AN ART AND SCIENCE OR SCIENTIFIC?
(a) It is A Science or scientific
Hermeneutics is a science because you get at meanings or interpretation through application of set rule that operate within a system.
(b) It Is An Art
It is an art because skills, wisdom and experience are required in applying the rules of interpretation and not through a mechanical process.
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5. WHY STUDY HERMENEUTICS?
It helps to ascertain the right declarations of God in Scripture. That is, to get exact meaning of the Word of God. Many of God’s Word would (have) sound barbaric and confusing if there are no proper ways of interpreting and getting right meaning. Many of the lofty things that God wants to pass to man would be lost.
To enable us to “rightly” divide God’s word. “Divide in Greek means. “Orthotomea”-rightly handling or cutting along a straight line. Many truths of God’s Word have been distorted because of lack of proper hermeneutics II Tim. 2: 15. One realizes that great care and study is required to be able to rightly handle God’s Word
It helps to distinguish between the voice of God and that of Man. There are many people who base their actions on the lives and statements of some Bible characters either in the O. Tor N. T Some are polygamists because Abraham conclusions which people make about God’s word Some neglect sanitation hygiene means of lessening pain though God is Divine Healer.
It helps to remove many of the errors and doctrinal abbreviations. Many confusions and errors in doctrines arise as a result of faulty hermeneutic principles. Many Bible Doctrine would be wrongly and inefficiently handled where the knowledge of hermeneutics is shallow Also the tendency of developing doctrines from passages which are obscure is high.
It helps to bridge the wide gap between Biblical writers and the present-day readers. Present day readers are in totally different situation and circumstances to these of Bible writers. Many of present-day readers are separated from Bible writers by history, time, culture, geography. language (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic). The language used in the original texts are structurally different from English. In English, meanings depend on word order but in the Greek, it does not.
Bible peoples’ cultures are different too. Culture means ways of life of a people, that mark and distinguish them from others.