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.