Presentation by Todd Linn, PhD on the theology of biblical interpretation; hermeneutics

1. Hermeneutics
The Science of Biblical
Interpretation

2. “Correctly Dividing the Word”
(2 Timothy 2:15)

3. We must note what kind of literary form
we are reading . . .
■ Biblical stories
(narrative)?
■ Proverbs?
■ Prophecy?
■ Parables?

4. Interpreting Proverbs
■ A biblical proverb is a short, pithy saying that
expresses a wise, general truth concerning life
from a divine perspective.
■ Proverbs are not “laws.” They are not even
“promises.” They are principles that function as
general truths.
■ Proverbs are true as a general rule, but there are
exceptions.

5. Examples
■ Proverbs 22:6—
■ “Train up a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old he will not depart from it.”
■ Is this ALWAYS true?
■ Are their not exceptions?

6. ■ Solomon no doubt was aware of Eli’s sons who
did not follow the path of their devout father (1
Samuel 2).
■ Solomon was no doubt aware of the evil sons of
the good kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 14ff).
■ Nevertheless, there are certain exceptions, like
the prodigal son, who “come to their
senses” (Luke 15:17) and return home to the
faith of their parents.

7. Another Example
■ Proverbs 26:4-5—
■ Verse 4: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest
you also be like him.”
■ Verse 5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be
wise in his own eyes.”

8. ■ So what do we do, do we “answer”
or “not answer?”
■ Are we to respond to the fool or
not?

9. ANSWER:
It depends on the
fool!

10. Interpreting Hyperbole (exaggeration)
■ Hyperbole is “exaggeration which is not meant
to be literally carried out.”
■ We use hyperbole when we REALLY want to get
a point across.
■ “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
■ “It killed me to have to tell him the truth.”

11. Exaggeration / Hyperbole
in the Bible
■ “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are
out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has
melted away within me” (Psalm 22:14).
■ “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but
swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).
■ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in
your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the
plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-4).

12. Misinterpreting Hyperbole
■ Most people are intuitively able to determine if a
passage contains hyperbole. They just “know”
that such passages should not be interpreted
literally. But not always . . .
■ 1970s “Jesus Movement.”
■ Members were to “hate” their parents on the
basis of Luke 14:26.
■ Some have mutilated themselves due to the
misinterpretation of Matthew 5:29-30.

13. Two basic rules to recognize
exaggeration in the Bible:
■ 1) The statement conflicts with what the Bible
says elsewhere.
■ Example: Compare Luke 14:26 with Mark 7:10.
■ 2) The literal fulfillment would not achieve the
desired goal.
■ Example: Would cutting off one’s hand keep one
from stealing? Would gouging out one’s eye keep
a person from lusting?

14. The Point of Hyperbole
■ It is used when the biblical speaker/ writer
REALLY wants to get a point across.
■ So, when Jesus talks about “hating one’s parents”
and “cutting off one’s hand” etc., what point is
He REALLY wanting to get across?
Suggestions:
■ Let nothing stand between you and your
relationship with God.
■ There’s no sin worth going to hell for.

15. Interpreting Parables
■ Parables generally teach ONE MAIN POINT.
■ As such, we are not to press the DETAILS of
the parable.
■ Example: What is the meaning of the parable of
the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)?

16. It’s wrong to press the details:
■ The “certain man” as Adam.
■ The “robbers” are the Devil and his demons.
■ The “Priest” is the Law.
■ The “Levite” is the Prophets.
■ The “Good Samaritan” is Christ.
■ The “Inn” is the Church.
■ The “Innkeeper” is the Apostle Paul.

17. So what is the ONE MAIN POINT of
the Good Samaritan?
■ Note the context: read the verses before and
after the parable.
■ The parable answers the lawyer’s question: “Who
is my neighbor.”
■ The ONE MAIN POINT: We should love those
in need just as the Good Samaritan loved the
man who fell among thieves.

18. Read the Bible Through!
■ I suppose I knew my Bible, reading piecemeal,
hit or miss, now a bit of John or Matthew, now
a snatch of Genesis.
■ Certain chapters of Isaiah, certain Psalms (the
23rd), 12th of Romans, 1st of Proverbs—Yes, I
thought I knew the Word!
■ But I found that thorough reading was a
different thing to do, and the way was
unfamiliar when I read the Bible through.

19. ■ You who like to play at Bible, dip and dabble,
here and there, just before you kneel, aweary,
and yawn through a hurried prayer;
■ You who treat the Crown of Writings as you treat
no other book, just a paragraph, disjointed, just
a crude, impatient look.
■ Try a worthier procedure, try a broad and steady
view; you will kneel in very rapture when you
read the Bible through.”—(Amos Wells)

20. READ THE WORD!!!