HERMENEUTICS

Hermeneutics is the science that teaches the principles of the

interpretation of a written document. Therefore, Biblical hermeneutics
is the principles of interpreting the Scriptures. Hermeneutics is
essential to the doctrine of premillennialism. This truth is self-evident
in the fact that, by misconstruing hermeneutics, men have concocted
postmillennialism and amillennialism.
Biblical hermeneutics is essentially a list of guidelines by which
one interprets the meaning of Scripture. You could almost say that the
guidelines are common sense, for they are so elementary in scope.
However, because of man’s conscience and his, sometimes, willingness
to rewrite scripture to ease his own conviction, it has been necessary
to establish general principles of interpretation for the Holy Scriptures.
The first guideline of hermeneutics is Interpret Grammatically.
This is to say that one cannot read a noun and interpret it as a verb.
Since words are the vehicle by which we convey meaning, this is
essential to preserving the originality of the Scripture. For example,
John 15:16. The King James Version reads, “Ye have not chosen me,
but I have chosen you . . . ” If we were to take the verb, “chosen,” and
make it a noun, the verse might read something like, “I am not the
chosen one, but you are the chosen one . . .” The error is painfully
obvious! Though this may seem an extreme example, it demonstrates
the point of grammatical interpretation in the most simplistic terms. To
not interpret grammatically is to change the Scriptures!
The second guideline held up by hermeneutics is Interpret
According To Context. Many times a lone sentence could contain
any number of meanings, and only when we read it in relation to what
else is being discussed, do we fully grasp the meaning of the sentence.
By ignoring this guideline of interpretation, humanity has formed the
false doctrine of predestination. Romans 8:29-30 says, “For whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom
he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.” Many religions teach that the Lord has already chosen who
will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell, and that man has no choice
in the grave matter! However, the previous verse, Romans 8:28,
states, “And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,”
and the following verse, Romans 8:31 states, “What shall we then say
to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” And thus, by
reading the surrounding Scriptures, it is revealed that verses 29 and 30
are not referring to salvation, but to the fact that God knows,
approves, and has placed certain circumstances in the lives of saved
people. Thus, He has predestined certain events in our lives, but not
our eternal home after death.
The third guideline of interpreting Scripture is Compare
Scripture With Scripture. The principle is very closely tied with the
previous principle, Interpret According To Context. By this
guideline, we are taught that because the Bible never contradicts
itself, one can use the understood passages of Scripture to shed light
on more obscure passages. A beautiful illustration of this principle is
found in Acts 8:26-40, the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
As you may recall, the eunuch that Philip was directed to was
reading Scriptures from Isaiah. However, the eunuch was unfamiliar
with the Bible and the meaning of the passage eluded him. Once Philip
realized this fact, he expounded on the Scripture and taught the
eunuch about Jesus. Philip used his personal knowledge of other
Scripture to shed meaning and draw parallels on the passage that the
Ethiopian Eunuch was reading. In so doing, Philip was able to win the
Ethiopian Eunuch to the Lord. The Lord has hidden nothing from us;
however, He desires us to study, that we may divulge the meanings of
the Scripture for ourselves.
Our last probe in this study of interpretation is the proper
interpretation of Biblical prophecy. The rules for studying prophecy are
the same as when one studies any other portion of Scripture with these
thoughts in mind – The Bible does sometimes speak figuratively. The
Bible clearly states when it is speaking figuratively. If the Bible does
not state that a passage is figurative, it is to be taken as literal. We
ought never try to explain a literal passage figuratively!
Our Bible is consistent in meaning and doctrine, and man’s
problem is manifested when man incorrectly interprets God’s Word.
Whether it is a story of history or a promise for the future, the
principles remain the same when interpreting the Holy Scripture. Let it
be noted that certain Scriptures may carry several applications in
relationship to its interpretation. However, the meaning of the passage
never differs and the rules of interpretation should never be bent! Let
us not try to rewrite for our selfish purposes, the Scriptures that God,
for more than six thousand years, has perfectly preserved.