Hermeneutics Flashcards
Hermeneutics
“to interpret” or “to translate.”
Hermeneus
“interpreter” or “translator”
______________ is a hermeneutical issue.
Everything - especially the Bible!
An example of hermeneutics in the Bible
the Tower of Babbel
Thrownness
We are thrown into an already existing culture or context. All of our beliefs are absorbed as we exist in our unique contexts.
Presuppositions
Something that we assume or suppose beforehand, “to think or believe something in advance of actual knowledge or experience,” or “to take something for granted.” These arise from the contexts we are from and they can blind us.
An example of how it is dangerous to allow presuppositions to blind oneself
slavery
According to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, what are the four sources for doing theology?
Bible, Tradition, Reason, Exerpeince
How can we responsibly use the Bible to do theology?
- Consider parts in light of the whole
- Source the historical context of a word to ensure understanding of how it is used
- avoid proof-texting
Proof texting
pulling out a verse without considering the context
Tradition
anything someone has written or said in the Christian tradition that is theological in content- e.g. sermons, books, creeds, movies, hymns
What are examples of how tradition has been relevant to theology?
- liberation theology - individuals of Hispanic culture reinterpreted theology to apply to oppressed people - they reinterpreted tradition
- 2 Timothy - has created a tradition of not allowing women to be at the pulpit
How can we use reason when studying theology?
It allows us to decide between one belief and another. We cannot think without reason! It is a gift, but skewed reasoning can get us into trouble.
How can we use experience when studying theology?
Consider impressions, prayer, and personal experience to understand God and the world around us. One’s experience can lead to a skewed understanding of God, e.g. the notion of a “trickster God.”
In order to responsibly use experience, reason, and tradition, we must hold it up to ________________, with ___________________ being our interpretive key.
Scripture, Jesus Christ
Theology is written by ____________________, and the ______________ follow along.
the ones in power, rest of us
Hermeneutics of suspicion
Asks “who holds the power?” and “do their interpretations rule?”
Revelation
to disclose, uncover, or unveil something previously hidden
Revelation is God’s self-disclosure through __________ and ___________.
nature, conscience
Because God remains hidden/a mystery, His self-disclosure is never ____________ or a _______________________
full knowledge or a full-blown doctrine
Revelation requires the use of our _____________, which is linked to ________________
imaginations, reason
Revelation is a way to hear from God that radically changes our lives. So it __________________!
calls for our response!
General revelation
God’s self-disclosure to all people through nature and conscience.
Biblical examples of general revelation
Psalm 19, Romans 1, Romans 2:14-15
Special or specific revelation
God’s self-disclosure to a specific people through Christ. This is distinctly Christian.
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is an example of general/special revelation
special
