Why Is Context Important in the Study of Hermeneutics?
By
Paul Bailey
Question # 2
Why is context important in the study of Hermeneutics?
Why is context important in the study of hermeneutics?
Introduction
“All licensed London taxi drivers need to pass a special test before they can drive one of the Capital 's famous black cabs. This test is called the Knowledge”.[1]
Likened to the special test, called the ‘Knowledge’, that taxi drivers in London need to pass in order to drive a black cab; so it is in order to know the route to righteousness and eternal life we need to have the ‘Knowledge’ of God’s inspired ‘Words’ in the Bible. Without the ‘Knowledge’ a taxi driver will be lost and will carry his passengers astray. When we apply that to the context of reading the bible and gaining knowledge, wisdom and understanding; as Children of God to have limited knowledge or to interpret the Word incorrectly would carry us down the wrong road or route and this would also lead our ‘passengers’ (those we want to minister or evangelise to) astray. “God gives us knowledge to help "fix" broken people, protect ourselves from the difficulties of life, and allow love to express itself in good works.”[2]
All throughout the Bible Man has been instructed to acquire and study this ‘Knowledge’ to show himself approved. In fact the word ‘knowledge’ spans the bible 171 times and the verb ‘know’ occurs 763 times. So we can safely say that knowing the “Knowledge” is extremely important to our spirituality and evangelism ministry.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV)
Let us not forget that taxi drivers may pass the “Knowledge” test but they may lack the understanding and most importantly, the wisdom to be ultimately effective in their job. God has given us the Bible as our “Knowledge” and we may even be able to read it from Genesis to Revelation, but if we lack the understanding to interpret the Word effectively
Paul Bailey
Question # 2
Why is context important in the study of Hermeneutics?
Why is context important in the study of hermeneutics?
Introduction
“All licensed London taxi drivers need to pass a special test before they can drive one of the Capital 's famous black cabs. This test is called the Knowledge”.[1]
Likened to the special test, called the ‘Knowledge’, that taxi drivers in London need to pass in order to drive a black cab; so it is in order to know the route to righteousness and eternal life we need to have the ‘Knowledge’ of God’s inspired ‘Words’ in the Bible. Without the ‘Knowledge’ a taxi driver will be lost and will carry his passengers astray. When we apply that to the context of reading the bible and gaining knowledge, wisdom and understanding; as Children of God to have limited knowledge or to interpret the Word incorrectly would carry us down the wrong road or route and this would also lead our ‘passengers’ (those we want to minister or evangelise to) astray. “God gives us knowledge to help "fix" broken people, protect ourselves from the difficulties of life, and allow love to express itself in good works.”[2]
All throughout the Bible Man has been instructed to acquire and study this ‘Knowledge’ to show himself approved. In fact the word ‘knowledge’ spans the bible 171 times and the verb ‘know’ occurs 763 times. So we can safely say that knowing the “Knowledge” is extremely important to our spirituality and evangelism ministry.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV)
Let us not forget that taxi drivers may pass the “Knowledge” test but they may lack the understanding and most importantly, the wisdom to be ultimately effective in their job. God has given us the Bible as our “Knowledge” and we may even be able to read it from Genesis to Revelation, but if we lack the understanding to interpret the Word effectively
Bibliography: 6 WOLTC Hermenteutics Lesson with Rev. W. Hylton, December 5, 2009 7Hermeneutical Buzz Words Handout - WOLTC Hermenteutics Lesson with Rev [10] WOLTC Hermeneutics Lesson with Rev. W. Hylton, December 5, 2009 [11] http://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-hermeneutics.html