Chapter 2 Test Flashcards
What are the two principles of hermeneutics?
-Literality
-Context
What is the presupposition for this topic?
People only intended to be understood one way
Who controls the meaning in a text?
The author
Why is literality necessary?
so we are able to distinguish from verbal/surface level
What is the author’s purpose? Interpret in light of that purpose.
To contain the interpretive imagination of man
What is the importance of context?
Having it all together so it makes sense.
What are the different levels of context for a passage in the Bible?
-Immediate
-Context of the Book
-Context of the whole Bible
Define immediate context.
the sentences/paragraphs surrounding the target text
What is an appositive?
words that rename/describe something
How do you use immediate context to explain unknown words
use surrounding context to figure out what it means and how the word is used in the sentence
Define the context of the book.
use the whole piece of the literature to help interpret a part of it
What are the various kinds of “connections” (type of arrangement)?
-Historical
-Doctrinal
-Logical
-Psychological
What are the different resource materials for dealing with the circumstances/background of the book?
-surveys
-introductions
What does it do when we use the various principles of doing context of the whole Bible?
to guide the interpretation of the Gospels, not vice versa
What is the pre-requisite for using context of the whole Bible and some resources that help with that?
we must have a good grasp of Biblical context
What do we do with books that don’t have context?
-keep the authors purpose in mind
-be careful with cross-references
-pay attention to story telling
-don’t force context where there is none
Explain “Progress of Doctrine”.
God at times changing the specifics of his instructions to mankind as salvation
What is the presupposition for dealing with alleged contradictions?
Start off by assuming that contradictions are only apparent and therefore any real contradictions are impossible.
What are the 3 types of alleged contradictions
-Doctrinal
-Ethical
-Factual
What are the guidelines for handling alleged contradictions?
-Don’t assume the passages are mutually exclusive
-Look for authors intended meaning
-Study the context closely
-Examine the translation carefully
-Allow for approximations and everyday language
-Appeal to inadequate evidence
What does the term “literality” mean?
the author’s one intended meaning
What does the term “usus loquendi” mean?
the way of speaking
What does the term “verbal” mean?
literal where possible
What does the term “sensus plenior” mean?
further meaning
What does the term “context” mean?
interpreting in light of what precedes and follows
What does the term “cross reference” mean?
using one passage of scripture to help interpret another
What does the term “doctrinal” mean?
2 writers stress apparently contradictory doctrinal principals
What does the term “ethical” mean?
seemingly contrasting behavioral commands are given in different passages
What does the term “factual” mean?
historical details seem to conflict
Site Hebrews 4:12.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Site the Biblical Core for Creation, Revelation, and Truth.
“God has revealed himself to humanity through his creation, through his Son, Jesus Christ, and through His authoritative word. These sources provide the foundation for absolute truth, in contrast to the relative truth found in human thought.”
What is the principal of literality?
the authors one intended meaning
T/F:
The words the author uses should be understood in terms of the “usus loquendi” or the way of speaking at the time.
false
T/F:
Biblical authors always state their purpose in writing.
false
How do you find the author’s purpose when he doesn’t explicitly state it?
-look for what he selects
-look for what he emphasizes
-look for how he arranges or organizes his materials
What would result if we didn’t assume that people only intend to be understood one way?
real communication would be impossible
