Featured Enabling Hermeneutics

The idea is to use methods or practices that allow us to translate the intended message into our understanding of that message.

When we first began to study God's word, we were unbound by the inherent constraints of our presumptive "truths" adopted too early in our growth in understanding. Later, like the removal of blinders, we must push past "unstudied truths" that we were comfortable with, and also not let pride hinder recognition of error, our rookie mistakes.

When one of our "beloved doctrines" hinders our growth, due to conflicting with related biblical teachings, we must pause and ponder the full scope of the problem.

If our presumptive view of one verse requires nullification of the viewpoint seemingly taught in other verses, deeper study is required.

Case in point, many believe that Abraham was credited with the righteousness of God, thus absolved of his sin burden, because the "righteousness of God" was "imputed" to him. On the other side of the ledger, scripture teaches we are "made" righteous, thus obtaining the righteousness of God, when we were washed with His blood, or underwent the washing of regeneration, also called the circumcision of Christ.

Which of these incompatible views is the "biblical truth?"

Romans 4:3 (NASB)
For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”​

Here the pronoun it refers to what? The "it" does not actually appear in the text, thus a more literal rendering is "...and was credited to His as righteousness. What was credited? Abraham's belief or faith in God's statement.

And how was it credited to Abraham? "As righteousness." And what was this "righteousness?" Abraham was credited with "doing what was right." Does doing what is right, or desired by God make us righteous such that we are made holy, blameless and able to be united with God? No Siree Bob.

Thus if God determines that a person's belief or faith in God's word is valid, i.e. righteousness, then the person is credited with doing this "right thing."

And what is the consequence or result of having our "faith" credited by God as "doing the right thing?" It is based on our credited faith, as opposed to rejected faith, that God bestows blessings.

Romans 4:24 teaches if God credits our faith that God raised Jesus from the dead as righteousness, God will bestow blessing on us.

Since this view is so contrary to those who accepted the lost cannot "do the right thing" and those who think they will automatically be saved if they profess faith, the actual biblical doctrine is rejected by many.

 

An interesting Greek word found several times early in Romans Chapter 4, is "Logisomai" (G3049). The word is used in verses 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11! The word was used to describing accounting, where something is credited to an account or something is removed from an account. We see both actions, of grace and of mercy in Romans 4:5-8.

When our faith is credited as righteousness, we are receiving grace, unmerited favor and when our sin's penalty (wrath) is not credited to our account, we are receiving mercy, not receiving merited disfavor.

If we meditate just a bit, we see that God is providing for our sake a blessing based on a blessing. We trust in the gospel and God credits our trust as righteousness to us, and then in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 we see that through that credited trust in God's truth, we are chosen for salvation. A double blessing.

And if we meditate further, we see in verse 8 where God did not apply wrathful torment to some sinners, but took them to Abraham's bosom and comfort, rather than to the torment of Hades. But note that this restraint in applying the full consequence of sin, did not result in allowing the individual to enter heaven until they were subsequently washed with the blood of the Lamb.

 

Some may claim we are not to study and meditate upon God's word, as if we all get the right viewpoint poured into our understanding. The fact folks hold differing views seems to have no place in this land of make-believe.

 

Sir, you may not kinow this, but the viewpoint you are asserting is nonsense. I believe I am a born anew indwelt believer, but I am not inspirited like the New Testament authors. And I do not believe anyone else is either.

The premise we are taught via accurate guidance from our Paraclete, such that we could not reach wrong conclusions concerning biblical doctrines is absurd.

 

If we reached the conclusion or were taught that we do not need to carefully study God's word, and check carefully what others teach concerning what scripture says illustrates self donned blinders that hinder growth in our understanding of God's word. To claim our study cannot be improved by the use of study tools and training their utilization is like a guy shouting My mind is made up, do not confuse me with facts.

 

Let us study this claim:

God's word tells us that prescribed "hermeneutics" ( i.e approaching God's word with a set of do's and don't's ) are not necessary for the child of God, but that the indwelling Holy Spirit is our Teacher...whose presence or absence is what ultimately determines who understands His word correctly, and who will never come to understand it correctly:" ​

Where do we find training in study methods is not necessary because those not saved "will never come to understand it correctly? The answer is nowhere as God's word teaches that God's word leads the lost to Christ.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
Young's Literal Translation
so that the law became our child-conductor -- to Christ, that by faith we may be declared righteous,
​

Clearly the unsaved are in view, as they are unjustified as they are guided toward the necessity of Christ by the law found in His word.

 

Golden Corral biblical understanding rests of taking what you want and leaving the rest.

 

One question I was taught is to ask "what is the therefore therefore? When we see the word, it signals what comes after summarizes or draws a conclusion from what came before. When we read, we need to stop and ask ourselves questions, such as "Is something being presented with lines of evidence or simply proclaimed? Is this topic taught or addressed elsewhere in scripture, by the same author or by other authors?

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

In Romans 4 Paul teaches God blesses believers whose faith He credits as righteousness including justification.​

 

An often taught system of study includes three main phases:

1) Ask what was the intended message to the audience at that time. From this we ask who is speaking, and to whom is he speaking. If we do not get the audience right, we can miss the message. Sometimes we see in our translation an English word with a modern connotation such as "adoption." But, in assessing what the message was back then, we would disregard the modern connotation, and strive to discern the historical meaning of the Greek word being translated.

2) In the next phase, after we can put our understanding of the intended message in our own words, we consider whether this message is timeless, thus applicable today, or if the message (or part of the message) should be seen as having limited application today. This is the effort we make when we study the role of women in ministry. Sometimes we do not arrive with discernment, but only uncertainty. Thus we must continue with prayer and study.

3) In the last phase, we seek to discern how to apply the timeless truths to our lives. Here we say with Paul, "What shall I do" rather than what did God do. When we see a verse saying God's word is dynamic, it changes lives, it cuts and separates what our old conformable habit and practice was from our future behavior we see our need to follow our Paraclete's guidance, and apply God's truths to our lives.

 

Like little Red Riding Hood, I might observe, Dave G, oh what big blinders you have, you not only blind yourself, but you also want to blind others to the truth of scripture.

First, you have cited numerous non-germane passages as if your unstudied understanding does not know they are non-germane.

You believe Christ gave Himself only for the previously chosen individuals, rather than as a ransom for all. Thus blinded by misconception, you must nullify verse after verse.

Next to you claim the Law leads people to Christ who have already been led to Christ. Nonsense. Behold the blinder of errant suppositions.

 

If we study God's word to obtain "head knowledge" we might get "puffed up" (i.e. have a big head) rather than humble ourselves by seeking how we might change and apply God's truths to our behavior.

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ​

From this verse we see God's word changes lives, rather than puffs up academics If we limit our effort to acquiring knowledge, we are missing the message. The impact of God's word should cut deep into our lives, separating what has been combined, our old nature and our frequent behavior, bringing to light the depraved intentions of our hearts.

 

How do we pick up our cross and follow our Lord on paths of righteousness? By applying God's word to our lives through study and meditation.