What is the difference between hermeneutics and interpretation

So we are sort of comparing apples to… ontology here. In a sense there is no overlap; The focus of exegesis is the text. The focus of hermeneutics is stuff like exegesis… why do we do it? That is as far as I think we could go in relating the two sequentially, though. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account.

Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Email Address:. Bodhi Institute of Theology. Skip to content. Difference between hermeneutics and exegesis Posted on June 17, by bodhicap. Before the interpretive process can begin, basic hermeneutical principles governing the exegesis and application of the biblical text need to be determined and codified into a methodology so that the exegete can be objective in ascertaining the correct meaning and application of the biblical text.

Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, p. The principles of interpretation have been presented under different categories in most hermeneutical literature. In light of the different layouts of these hermeneutical principles, generally speaking, they are similar in composition and substance.

Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, pp. Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, p. Furthermore, the grammatical-historical method of interpretation is the method that most exegetical and evangelical scholars use to interpret the Scriptures.

There are two basic truths that formulate the grammatical-historical method of interpretation. Before coming to the Scriptures to interpret them, the grammatical-historical exegete will acknowledge that:. In other words, the Bible is a divine book and these principles stated must be recognized as the interpreter approaches the Scriptures. The Bible was written by men to communicate concepts and truths to other men, women and children.

Therefore, the Bible was written in a language that could communicate these concepts and truths to its readers or hearers in an intelligible form. Furthermore, the readers or hearers would be expected to understand the message communicated. Hence, the grammatical-historical method of interpretation approaches the Scriptures in the normal, customary way in which we talk, write, and think. Zuck derived six corollaries from the fact that the Bible was written by men and that these writers followed the normal process of communication.

First, each biblical writing—that is, each word, sentence, and book—was recorded in a written language and followed normal, grammatical meanings, including figurative language. Second, each biblical writing was written by someone to specific hearers or readers in a specific historical, geographical situation for a specific purpose.

There are two implications to this corollary: 1 the Bible was addressed to a certain people who would have understood its message; and 2 the point of exegesis is to discover the original message of the text in its historical and geographical setting.

Third, the Bible is affected and influenced by the cultural environment from which each human writer wrote. The implication from this corollary is that the exegete must give careful attention to cultural matters surrounding the text or otherwise misinterpret the text. Fourth, each biblical writing was accepted or understood in the light of its context.

There are two implications to this corollary: 1 understanding a word or sentence in its context is another aspect of literal interpretation; and 2 a single word or even a sentence may have several meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

Fifth, each biblical writing took on the nature of a specific literary form. The implication from this corollary is that the exegete must recognize the different types of literature or otherwise misinterpret the text. Sixth, each biblical writing was understood by its initial readers in accord with the basic principles of logic and communication.

The implication from this corollary is that the exegete must follow the normal principles of communication and give the writer the benefit of the doubt even if he seems to contradict himself. In summary, the grammatical-historical method of interpretation explains the Scriptures from a grammatical and historical sense.

In other words, the grammatical sense determines the meaning of the Bible by studying the words and sentences of Scripture in their normal, plain sense, and the historical sense means considering carefully the setting in which the biblical books were written and the circumstances involving the author and the people who first read it.

Furthermore, grammatical studies also honor the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, p. Grammatical interpretation involves discovering the meaning of words, the form of words, the function of words, and the relationship of words.

To determine the single meaning of words, etymology, usage, comparison, and context are very important. While etymology discovers the root meaning of words and the historical development of words, usage discovers the current meaning of words.

Moreover, comparing how a word differs from its exact or near opposite sometimes will help determine meaning. Above all, the context is paramount in determining the meaning of words, phrases, and clauses. To ignore the context will only bring disaster.

The formation of words is also determinative. The way words are formed influences their meaning. Adding or removing a suffix or prefix changes the meaning of words. The various set of activities which the hermeneut [interpreter] performs upon a text in order to make meaningful inferences is exegesis. Interpretation is the task of explaining or drawing out the implications of that understanding for the contemporary readers and hearers.

Kevin J. I like your approach to this. Well, it has four letters, and as such, this proves that there are four different ways you can serve the church! You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email.

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