Hermeneutics

Question 1

Hermeneutics

Answer 1

“to interpret” or “to translate.”

Question 2

Hermeneus

Answer 2

“interpreter” or “translator”

Question 3

______________ is a hermeneutical issue.

Answer 3

Everything - especially the Bible!

Question 4

An example of hermeneutics in the Bible

Answer 4

the Tower of Babbel

Question 5

Thrownness

Answer 5

We are thrown into an already existing culture or context. All of our beliefs are absorbed as we exist in our unique contexts.

Question 6

Presuppositions

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

An example of how it is dangerous to allow presuppositions to blind oneself

Answer 7

slavery

Question 8

According to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, what are the four sources for doing theology?

Answer 8

Bible, Tradition, Reason, Exerpeince

Question 9

How can we responsibly use the Bible to do theology?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Proof texting

Answer 10

pulling out a verse without considering the context

Question 11

Tradition

Answer 11

anything someone has written or said in the Christian tradition that is theological in content- e.g. sermons, books, creeds, movies, hymns

Question 12

What are examples of how tradition has been relevant to theology?

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

How can we use reason when studying theology?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

How can we use experience when studying theology?

Answer 14

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.”

Question 15

In order to responsibly use experience, reason, and tradition, we must hold it up to ________________, with ___________________ being our interpretive key.

Answer 15

Scripture, Jesus Christ

Question 16

Theology is written by ____________________, and the ______________ follow along.

Answer 16

the ones in power, rest of us

Question 17

Hermeneutics of suspicion

Answer 17

Asks “who holds the power?” and “do their interpretations rule?”

Question 18

Revelation

Answer 18

to disclose, uncover, or unveil something previously hidden

Question 19

Revelation is God’s self-disclosure through __________ and ___________.

Answer 19

nature, conscience

Question 20

Because God remains hidden/a mystery, His self-disclosure is never ____________ or a _______________________

Answer 20

full knowledge or a full-blown doctrine

Question 21

Revelation requires the use of our _____________, which is linked to ________________

Answer 21

imaginations, reason

Question 22

Revelation is a way to hear from God that radically changes our lives. So it __________________!

Answer 22

calls for our response!

Question 23

General revelation

Answer 23

God’s self-disclosure to all people through nature and conscience.

Question 24

Biblical examples of general revelation

Answer 24

Psalm 19, Romans 1, Romans 2:14-15

Question 25

Special or specific revelation

Answer 25

God’s self-disclosure to a specific people through Christ. This is distinctly Christian.

Question 26

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is an example of general/special revelation

Answer 26

special