What is Hermeneutics

Perhaps the best way to define hermeneutics is to define it in its Christian context. In this regard, "Hermeneutics provides the means for acquiring an understanding of the Scripture." (Klein, 5) Thus the best way to define hermeneutics in regard to its Christian value would be to say that hermeneutics is the study for gaining understanding of scripture.

Hermeneutics relies on interpretation for identifying the meaning of scripture. In this regard several questions emerge regarding the role of the interpreter, the role of the original reader, and the role of the author; moreover, more clearly identifying each of these three main roles can greatly enhance an understanding of the text. In this regard understanding the thinking and perception of all three groups of people can greatly help in achieving the proper interpretation of scripture.

Klein gives an example of understanding the role of the author of a text when he makes reference to Isaiah 40:22 describing the "circle of the earth." (Klein, 11) The idea thus is that the author had a much different view of the earth than what contemporary science would render, and in order to understand the text fully a person must understand that in the author's day the entire earth would have been like a disk. Overall, the idea thus is that understanding the role of the author in interpreting the text would take away many misconceptions about Isaiah 40:22, and in this regard a person could perhaps have a better idea of exactly what the author is writing about.

When reading for example the story of the great flood covering the entire earth including the highest mountain peak (Genesis 7:19) in the time of Noah, a person is left to interpret the text. The question that emerges is if the author is referring to the entire earth as we know it today being flooded or if only the entire earth as the author of that day knew of it was flooded. A good question for hermeneutic interpretation is what value should be placed on identifying the role of the author in the account of the flood of Noah.

The reason why understanding the role of the author is important for the account of the flood of Noah is because when scientific discovery tries to discredit the bible (based upon the story of the entire earth being flooded in the time of Noah), a person could go against the skeptics and still believe that the bible is completely true and believe the discoveries of science (if interpretation takes into account the role of the author in writing about the flood). Regardless of the entire earth being flooded as seen through the eyes of an ancient author or the entire earth being flooded in our own eyes, hermeneutics can give a reasonable explanation for any discrepancies. Thus the role of the author in this regard is very critical because if science had proven to the entire world that the entire earth was not flooded in the time of Noah, then Christians would never have to become doubtful of their faith in the slightest if they identify the role of the author in the interpretation of scripture.

Bibliography:

Klein, William, Blomberg, Craig, and Hubbard, Robert. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Revised and Updated. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993.