Tools for Hermeneutics
Respond to the following student response to the below questions in 1page supporting your assertions with 3 scholarly citations from two sources in current Turabian format.Offer a list and description of the qualifications needed for an interpreter to offer a proper reading of Scripture. Give the importance of each qualification for understanding Scripture. Which of these qualifications are most important? Which do you think are not as necessary? Give reasons for your choices. What role does the Holy Spirit play in interpretation? How do we determine the impact of the Spirit on an individual’s interpretation?
Response:
COVID-19 changed the way we live. Since COVID began, I have noticed a proliferation of would-be bible teachers and preachers on Facebook and Youtube. Many of them are unknown outside of their immediate circles. Yet, they present themselves as qualified interpreters of God’s word. God’s word has eternal value and consequences. As such, we must ask the question, “What are the qualifications needed for an interpreter to offer a proper reading of Scripture?”
Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard list five necessary qualifications that will help ensure the interpreter obtains valid interpretations of the bible. They include:
1) a reasoned faith in the God who reveals
2) willingness to obey its message,
3) willingness to employ appropriate methods,
4) illumination of the Holy Spirit,
5) membership in the Church.[1]
The first qualification is a reasoned faith in God. According to Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard, “the essential qualification for a full understanding of the Bible is to know God and to believe that he is speaking through it. One must have a relationship with God in order to fully understand the book God has authored.”[2] Saving faith is the cornerstone of knowing God. It is impossible to know what God means in the Bible without knowing God and believing that the Bible is His word. The author of Hebrews said, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
The second qualification is a willingness to obey its message. There must be a “willingness to put oneself ‘under’ the text, to submit one’s will to hear and respond the text in a faithful manner.”[4] Obedience to God’s word is the believer’s rightful duty. Arranging one’s life to obey God’s word is the logical, moral, legal, and reasonable thing to do. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus promised “Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” Obedience to God’s word is the greatest indicator of faith. Living a life of obedience grants the interpreter credibility in interpretation.
The third qualification is willingness to employ appropriate methods. This should go without saying; however, it is necessary to speak to it to reinforce the mandate of employing sound habits of interpretation. We cannot afford to put our own meanings in the Scripture and call it interpreting the Bible. We must be disciplined in study and prayer. In 2 Timothy, Apostle Paul said, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2:15).
The fourth qualification and, in my opinion, the most important is illumination of the Holy Spirit. The bible does not originate with man, although the Holy Spirit inspired man to write it. The Bible is God’s word; it is spiritual in origin. Hence, it is imperative that we have spiritual help in interpreting what the Bible says. In addition to diligent study, the Holy Spirit illuminates the heart and reveals God’s meanings to man. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11, Apostle Paul declares, the “Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” and “no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” In verse 14 of the chapter, he continues, “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit.” If we want to know God and what He says, we must have the ministry of the One who knows Him best – the Holy Spirit.
The fifth, and final, qualification is church membership. “We need to recognize our membership in the Body of Christ, the church.”[5] Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard make church membership a critical part of achieving good Bible interpretation. We should recognize our membership in the church, the local body, and the church worldwide, the body of Christ. This is necessary so that we have the spiritual company of other believers. Church membership also facilitates interpretation by providing accountability, discipline, and review. Refusing to come under church authority is a means of engaging in heresy. No one can afford to be a “lone wolf” in ministry and bible interpretation.
The best indicator of the Holy Spirit’s impact on interpreters is that, their interpretation results in people turning to God in surrender as the Holy Spirit brings the word to life.
[1] William w. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation 3rd edition , 201.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New Living Translation version of the Bible.
[4] William w. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation 3rd edition , 205.
[5] Ibid, 208.