The Hermeneutic Task

Christian preaching undertaken by God-called men and women focuses upon the task of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with integrity and intentional discipline in the study and interpretation of Scriptural texts.

Hermeneutics is the academic discipline associated with the interpretation of scripture and the science and methodologies of interpretation. Unfortunately, some participants in the academic aspects of Biblical interpretation are not men and women of faith, and while their input into the interpretative processes of understanding the scriptures may in no way be counter to Christian understanding, there are those who posit opinions and ideas that are not only antagonistic to understanding, but in some ways intentional roadblocks to a broad based attentive reading of the scriptures. In other words, in an effort to be scientific or “empirical” in their analysis of biblical texts, they move from the sphere of theological thought to the sphere of analytical minutiae. That would not be a problem, were it not for those who in turn take the minutiae and move from the focus of biblical interpretation to the culturally popular activity of using scriptural language to promote any number of unscriptural activities and behaviors.

Sound hermeneutics gives attention to time, place, authorship, audience, language, writing style, type of literature, and details of historical context and content focus. It is the big picture that is the important background for the interpretative task and such analyses from a textual-critical approach are welcomed by the biblical teacher/preacher who wishes to speak with integrity in witness and application.

Language is a living entity -- in some ways constantly changing and with words always being subject to varying interpretations of meaning. Nonetheless, the pursuit of knowledge that informs the Christian interpreter in preaching and teaching, will best be led by the Holy Spirit of God. It is a mission to seek and to know and to gain insight from the diligent and searching efforts of committed Christ-followers sharing in community that task of bringing forth the gospel witness to cultures and nations of people waiting to comprehend and receive it. We are called to faith. We are called to a mission. We are called to believe. We are called to study…rightly dividing the word of truth. Such work is best done in prayerful attention to the voice of God speaking to the hearts of those asking, seeking, and finding ….teaching, preaching, and making disciples…for the glory of God.

Seeking and Finding on the Spiritual Journey

Many individuals searching for insight in spiritual matters head directly to the local bookstore and its seemingly never-ending offerings. Today’s book markets are filled with the latest eye-catching and easily digested tomes regarding leadership, success, and overcoming your latest problem (i.e. divorce, finances, or rebellious children). The problem most people have is sorting through the “rich offerings” to find something that truly meets their need or offers insight for their personal situation. I find it interesting that if you search out the credentials of some writers in the area of finance that their most significant financial skill was finishing ninth grade algebra. Others come from unrelated fields to speak to issues with which they seem to be only vaguely familiar, even after 200 pages of graphs, charts, and factoids gleaned from their internet searches.

Another frequently used “source” is the internet where thousands of web-sites present suggestions and opportunities to get lost in the minutiae of your search engines’ exploration. Data is easily available today in multitudes of formats. The question is, does our thinking truly become insightful based on the abundance of opinions we can find represented? It does give us many sides to consider in debate.

Yet another common source is a bona fide “expert.” Medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, or chiropractors in regard to medicine --- or witch doctors, natural medicine practitioners, or a host of “new age” health gurus or nuts (depending upon your point of view). Surely large corporation CEO’s can tell us the “secret” to financial success…if they only knew our questions that needed answering. But what about spiritual matters?

Do people even want spiritual advice and insight today? Do people reflect on divine principles? Are people interested in God’s way over the world’s way? Does anyone really value the insight of scripture? Of course they do…but the way of discovery is often an odd assortment of steps and faltering starts and even experiences of breaking faith in the midst of finding the way to God.

If you are looking for divine guidance, my suggestion is to slow down the search long enough to stop, put yourself in a place where you can avoid distractions for a time and start talking to God about the needs and circumstances of life that include your questions and your doubts and your fears and your choices….and ask God for help.

Plain and simple as that…ask God to help you; and if you mean it…He will. You don’t have to convince Him or prove to Him anything…just trust Him and ask for His help.

Amazingly helpful answers will come…some soon and some later, but they will come…and some very wonderful opportunities of joy…found in God’s grace and mercy and love…will be a part of your future. Trust God. Keep on learning from Him. He will show you the way. And he may allow a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, a pastor, the Bible, or some other messenger of His word and blessing to speak to your heart with His good news. As you pray…and as you seek His way…be listening…the things you need will be near you…as near as your heart’s door…as you would welcome Him to guide your life as you acknowledge Him as Lord of all.

Something Great for God?

Lincoln is quoted as having said he was disappointed in a certain sermon he had heard because the preacher had not asked him to do anything great for God. As a preacher, it comes to my mind…how often in asking for such are there those interested in doing just that….something great for God?

It is clear that God isn’t in need of our material or physical resources…they all belong to Him in the first place. It is clear that God isn’t in need of our ideas or aims or goals…he has been the inspiration for our own. What is clear is that God calls us to a relationship of faith and a lifestyle of service in His name…and in that context we discover the “greatness” of what we can do.

Jesus said that greatness in the sight of God will be to undertake service to all. That immediately removes the plague of racism, nationalism, sectarianism, or even religious prejudice…in the name of Christ. It calls for a consideration of our calling to serve family and friend, neighbor and stranger, ally or enemy. It is the Jesus way.

No partiality. Love towards all. These are divinely inspired actions toward others with the aim to love with a love that intentionally, purposefully, gives and gives again. It is the Jesus way and it will continue to awe and inspire all of us to follow it…slowly, falteringly, and often poorly…but with an aim to consider in our every action what it means to obey our Lord…and to keep trying, living each day in His mercy…in His grace….in His greatness.

Active Faith

Over the years, theologians have often posed the question as to whether or not James and Paul were opposites in their views of faith. They suggested that Paul reflected upon salvation by grace and James suggested faith would be accompanied by works. Both perspectives have important truths to communicate and should best be understood as opposite sides of the same coin. We are saved by the grace of God and we are called to lives of faith transformed by the indwelling and abiding Spirit of God; therefore we are called to carry out good works in the name of Christ.

Paul wished to emphasize that a relationship of faith in Christ was the basis for salvation not the achievement of a record of good works as an “earned salvation.” James was addressing the concern that Christians not so “spiritualize” their relationship with Christ that they neglected the obvious example of Jesus in ministering to the needs of those near them. Faith is expressed in the acknowledgment of God’s grace and in the earnest desire to share His love. James’ point of view calls for a witness of faith and to faith demonstrated by action. Paul would have certainly commended that perspective as well. Salvation is not by works, but our faith will be the basis for action as we exercise faith, as we live in faith, and as we serve Christ daily.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:16, “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Good works obviously have a place in the life of every believer. Let the light shine!

The Quiet Way

Gerhart Tersteegen was an apprentice shopkeeper in Mulheim, Germany more than 250 years go. It was a time of extended war (more than 30 years), religious interest was at a low ebb, and there was not a single copy of the Bible or New Testament in any bookshop in Leipzig. Four-fifths of the population had died. Out of this spiritual vacuum, God provided a few embers of His giving which led to the revival of religion in Germany and later in England. One of those “lights” was the humble ribbon-weaver, Gerhart Tersteegen. Poor health forced him to a quiet and isolated existence in a small cottage. After coming to faith and the discovery of God’s peace for his life, Tersteegen brought that small cottage to become a place of frequent spiritual counsel and often twenty or thirty people each evening waiting to speak to Gerhart about their spiritual condition. His insights were many and when he preached, often four or five hundred would gather at his cottage to hear him. Even the king, Frederick the Great, summoned him to the palace for spiritual counsel and conversation.

Tersteegen’s advice was simple. You are a child of God. Withdraw from outward things. Pray, and you will make contact with God, the source of your being.
Forget yourself. Look to God. Die to your own will, live for God’s will and you will know true life.

In one of his letters he wrote, “I believe that in the eyes of God there are really only two sets of people on earth: the children of the world in whom love of the world rules, and the children of God into whom the love of God is poured by His Holy Spirit; and that, apart from this, God pays no attention to any difference or name.”

Tersteegen’s reflections encourage us with the powerful reminder that there is no life worthy of living apart from Christ. He called us “to live wholly for God”, reminding us to follow “the teaching and life of Jesus by His Spirit.” Tersteegen spent little time focusing on particulars of doctrine or denominations…he wrote, “For love will win in the end, but it will be that pure love of God which is poured out in true fellowship with the Father and the Son in the hearts of those who strive to walk in the light, turning from the shadow to the substance, from the outer to the inner, and from all multiplicity to the one thing needful. This alone brings us union with one another and peace with God.”

(Adapted from “The Quiet Way,” Selections from the Letters of Gerhart Tersteegen. Translated by Emily Chisholm. London: The Epworth Press, 2nd Edition, 1953.)