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The Allegorical Method
– Origin: The union of Greek philosophy and religion.
– Definition: The method presumes that beneath the plain and obvious sense of Scripture lays its true meaning.
The Mystical Method
– Origin: It is closely associated with the allegorical method, and is by some viewed as synonymous. But it can be traced to Palestinian Jews in the inter-testamental period.
– Definition: This method presumes that, hidden beneath the surface of the words and their plain sense, there lies a multiplicity of meanings, opening the door to a wide variety of interpretations, all of which are “hyper-spiritual”.
The Devotional Method
– Origin: Like the mystical method, it originated with the Hagadic Jews of the inter-testamental period. In church history this method had its greatest emphasis among the Pietists of the post-reformation period.
– Definition: It postulates that the Bible was written for personal edification of every believer. That which is most important is not what God said to others, but what He is saying to the interpreter -searching beyond the plain and obvious meaning for spiritual meaning applicable to the believer’s life.
The Rationalistic Method
– Origin: In ancient history, but blossomed during the post-reformation period until today. In recent centuries, the seat of this method is Germany, where the schools of higher criticism have attempted to undermine the authority of Scripture.
– Definition: This method presumes that the Bible is not the authoritative, inspired Word of God. It interprets Scripture as a human document in the light of human reason, where “Nature is the standard, and reason is the guide”. If Scripture can be made to harmonise with the knowledge of the interpreter, then it is to be understood as meaning what it says; but if not, it is to be regarded as mythical, or used by way of accommodation. References to the supernatural are explained as either fanciful exaggerations or contrived myths.
The Literal Method
– Origin: In relation to Scripture, this method is the oldest in existence. It is said to have originated with Ezra, the father of hermeneutics. Its progress through history can be traced from the Palestinian Jews, Christ and the Apostles, the School of Antioch, the Reformers, to the fundamentalist conservatives of the present day.
– Definition: To interpret “literally” means to explain the original sense of the speaker or writer according to the normal, customary and proper usages of words and language. This method is also called the grammatico-historical method, and further expands into four areas:
- The literal sense does not exclude the figurative sense.
- The literal method does not exclude the spiritual meaning.
- The literal interpretation does not exclude application.
- The literal method does not exclude depth of meaning.
Evaluation: In conclusion, this method stands out as the only sound, safe and sensible approach to the interpretation of Scripture. Each of the other methods has been proven inadequate in that they lack God-given and well-defined boundaries.
Conclusion
Many say that the facts speak for themselves, but that is not true. All facts must be interpreted. Likewise, the truths in Scripture also need to be interpreted, and wrong interpretation leads to false doctrine and deception (Matthew 22:23-33).
Anyone can interpret Scripture – you don’t need a degree in theology and you don’t have to be an ordained minister.
It is important, though, to be an effective interpreter and develop the desired skills and characteristics (2 Timothy 2:15).
Some of the Jews in Thessalonica refused to receive the Word of God and persecuted Paul and his companions (Acts 17:1-8), but the Bereans “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” They took responsibility for correctly interpreting the Scriptures to see whether the things Paul had preached about Christ were so. It is our responsibility to “eat the meat and spit out the bones.” The result of them diligently searching the Scriptures is that “many of them believed” (Acts
17:12). We must not only discern the doctrine, but also the spirit in which it is ministered. The principles of hermeneutics will be discussed in more detail in other places The most important principle of all, which is sometimes called the first principle of hermeneutics, is the context principle.
Words have meaning within context, so Scripture must not be interpreted out of context.
The first and most important context is Scripture itself, in other words, “Scripture interprets Scripture.” That is why it is so important to know the Scriptures (Matthew 22:29).
and yet!
