Hi Dadeadman1337
Wow! great insight and questions! Your views and questions would
lead us into an discussion of exegesis and
hermeneutics.
May i point us to part of an article
by Ps John Macarthur: [emphasis mine]
*start quote*
7. Now, practically pulling our
thinking all together, "What is the final step that links inerrancy
to preaching?"
First, the true text must be used. ... This is
the starting point. Without the text as God gave it, the preacher
would be helpless to deliver it as God intended.
Second, having begun with a true text, we need to interpret the
text accurately. The science of hermeneutics is in view.
As a theological discipline hermeneutics is the science
of the correct interpretation of the Bible. It is a
special application of the general science of linguistics and
meaning. It seeks to formulate those particular rules which
pertain to the special factors connected with the
Bible....Hermeneutics is a science in that it can determine certain
principles for discovering the meaning of a document, and in that
these principles are not a mere list of rules but bear
organic connection to each other. It is also an art as we
previously indicated because principles or rules can never be
applied mechanically but involve the skill (technmae) of the
interpreter. (Bernard Ramm, Protestant Biblical
Interpretation, 11)
So exegesis is the skillful application of sound
hermeneutical principles to the Biblical text in the original
language with a view to understanding and declaring the author's
intended meaning both to the immediate and subsequent
audiences. In tandem, hermeneutics and exegesis focus on
the Biblical text to determine what it said and what it meant
originally (cf. John D. Grassmick, Principles and Practice of
Greek Exegesis, 7). Thus, exegesis in its broadest sense will
include the various disciplines of literary criticism,
historical studies, grammatical exegesis, historical theology,
biblical theology and systematic theology. Proper exegesis
will tell the student what the text says, what the text means, and
how the text applies personally.
Fourth, we are now ready for a true exposition. Based on the
flow of thinking that we have just come through, I assert that
expository preaching is really exegetical preaching and not so much
the homiletical form of the message. Merrill Unger accurately
noted:
It is not the length of the portion treated, whether a
single verse or a larger unit, but the manner of
treatment. No matter what the length of the portion
explained may be, if it is handled in such a way that its real and
essential meaning as it existed in the light of the overall context
of Scripture is made plain and applied to the present-day needs of
the hearers, it may properly be said to be expository preaching.
(Merrill F. Unger, Principles of Expository Preaching,
33)
As a result of this exegetical process that began with
inerrancy, the expositor is equipped with a true message, with true
intent and with true application. It gives him preaching
perspective historically, theologically, contextually, literarily,
synoptically and culturally. His message is God's intended
message.
*end quote*
In short, many Christians have fallen for the trap of wishy
washy interpretation of the Bible, mainly because they want the
text to suite themselves, and to gain more converts and so
on. But in return, they have left us with the tarnished name
of not being stringent and strict.
If the Bible is the Truth, then it should stand to the strictest
and most stringent scrutiny. That's my take.
regards,
Don
Ps. apologies for taking longer to reply. Your questions are
good ones and i wanted to think more lest i talk rubbish and you
ignore me.
