Instead of being passive consumers of Biblical commentary, we can participate in the forming of a very particular, but no less authentic, commentary of our own. The only thing that should happen between text and commentary is exegesis, not homiletics. In other words, we should not become reliant on them. Continued dependence on commentaries will handicap or hinder the development of exegetical skills needed to do independent pre-commentary study. This is why it is probably safest to consult more than one commentary and to consult it at the end of the exegetical process and not the beginning.
Biblical studies is never truly complete until we have attempted to reflect in a careful and systematic way upon what we have learned, and in reflecting, make creative and responsible applications to the situation of the church universal today.
Proper hermeneutics then, play a vital role in the evolution of good homiletics. It not only provides the rule whereby an understanding of the text's original context can be obtained, but it permits the context to be trans-culturally applied to modern times.
Sanders' sermons are good examples of sermons prepared in context and reflect skillful exegesis. He utilized the information he learned in study in very thought-provoking, challenging, and creative way. I believe he was successful in bringing the original context to contemporary times and make the truth pertinent to it. I was most impressed and affected by the sermon, "In the Same Night?" (the sermon can be read in it's entirety here: http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=800&C=1048)
The Old Testament narratives are not stories about ancient people who lived in ancient times. Neither are they allegories inundated with hidden meanings. Rather, narratives are stories which teach indirectly and have the intent of making only one major point though many may be derived from them.
Considered to be "genre within genre," the parables history of interpretation goes back to Jesus, the master Teacher, who extensive use of them betrays the fact that they were one of His favorite teaching tools. Parables come in many forms including true stories, similitude, metaphors (and similes) and epigrams. They function in a manner similar to a joke in that they seek to elicit a response.
The goal of parabolic interpretation is to "catch what the original hearers caught" To accomplish this, we must interpret to determine exactly what the original hearers received and how they responded to it. Having done this, we must decide how to go about reformulating the material in such a way that our present audience can be the recipients of what the original audience obtained.
The exegetical interpretative process begins by locating the reference points and proceeds to identify the audience. Since parables are used to clarify and emphasize a central truth that was being discussed in a particular historical situation, a thorough examination of the parable in its immediate context is also necessary for understanding its meaning.
In general, before interpretation of prophecy, epistles, apocalyptic literature and other unique literary forms can begin; several theoretical, theological and practical issues must be confronted. The basic question we must ask ourselves is whether the literature under consideration can be interpreted using the same hermeneutical principles that apply to other genres, or whether some special hermeneutical method is required.
Bottom Line
One cannot hope to understand and properly interpret Scripture without the benefit of good hermeneutical and exegetical skills. Hermeneutics is necessary because it closes many of the historical, linguistic, cultural, philosophical and theological gaps that otherwise hinder accuracy in Biblical understanding.
Exegesis is a discipline which teaches us to defer judgment until sufficient data have been collected. It teaches us to treat text with great care and respect.
Thus, our approach to Scripture is with an ear attuned and a mind open to what the text has to say before leaping in with a response. We recognize the need for approaching Scripture contextually; to probe for, collect, sort, discern, and weigh evidence. Perhaps most important of all, we measure what we have learned from our own faith tradition against the realities of our Biblical learning experience; to subject ourselves to the objective authority of the text before we attempt the mastery of it either as sermon, manuscript, teaching or discussion material.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.
Acts 5:1-5:10 Sex, Lies and Videotape Part 2. Lies. What... Read More
If you say that Christianity is a peaceful religion according... Read More
Divine power is so great, Paul an apostle of Christ... Read More
Please read the passage carefully and note all the pejorative... Read More
Revelation 19:7 states, "Let us rejoice and give honor unto... Read More
Jeremiah 51:6-51:18 Babylon is Fallen. Is the United States, Spiritual... Read More
Planetary Alignment is said to have magical powers. Some believe... Read More
MAN: Good afternoon Professor Knowledge. Let me cut to the... Read More
The subject of this document is so unpleasing to the... Read More
The powerful tsunami that on Dec. 26, 2004, hit the... Read More
He Showed 'Compassion'He made lots where there was only little.... Read More
Christian books and supplies can be found at places that... Read More
The Right of Passage. by Rev. Anthony SmithIsaiah 64:6-64:6 In... Read More
The shapeless and formless Tao brings about various elements and... Read More
As I was doing my studies, the Lord put something... Read More
Romans 7:8-7:25. The Christian today has become a people without... Read More
Heaven is a bribe and hell is a punishment. Be... Read More
Down through the centuries and all over the world, the... Read More
Why does every one believe that Jesus is the son... Read More
Small BeginningsMy first experience in music ministry happened fairly soon... Read More
It's not necessary to go to church in order to... Read More
Today certainly is a present and we are to rejoice... Read More
I think most people who will read this will not... Read More
Christians with chronic illness need to know there is a... Read More
... Read More
The internet is a great resource of information on all... Read More
The founding of the United States went along with the... Read More
The world that we live in today is in imminent... Read More
Again, let's call attention to our text: "Let her be... Read More
This article, on the mark of the beast, will be... Read More
Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful... Read More
There's another "move of God" that's sweeping the nations. Have... Read More
In part 1 of this series of end time articles,... Read More
The American theologian Horace Bushnell also played a vital role... Read More
It may seem trite and naïve to suggest we can... Read More
"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests... Read More
This article will deal with the next set of judgments... Read More
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much... Read More
The founding of the United States went along with the... Read More
Revelation 20:12 makes a powerful claim: "And I saw the... Read More
Are we doing what the word of God say to... Read More
Buddhism is a teaching which has spread worldwide absorbing the... Read More
The Right of Passage. by Rev. Anthony SmithIsaiah 64:6-64:6 In... Read More
This was an article I did for a friend of... Read More
There is no doubt in my mind that the quality... Read More
Now, let's recall again the text: "Let her be covered."... Read More
Acts 5:1-5:10 Sex, Lies and Videotape Part 2. Lies. What... Read More
Have you ever wondered how exactly would someone find out... Read More
We met at a Saturday afternoon fund-raising and promotional rally... Read More
You are now inside one of the top theological schools... Read More
From the late 1970's through the 1980's, my wife and... Read More
Matthew 24:34-24:35 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall... Read More
In our last study, we looked at understanding prayer. In... Read More
1. Faith is a "spiritual substance" on the inside of... Read More
One day on the listserve for my support group it... Read More
My wife had a vision recently of a string of... Read More
The dictionary explains strength as being endurance, force, bravery, spirit... Read More
I think most people who will read this will not... Read More
You all know the big dogs that carry rum to... Read More
I heard a pastor say, regarding people of the Muslim... Read More
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Anytime a well-known name gets involved with a... Read More
Luke 19:49-19:46 This world is a tender box, of political,... Read More
Whether you are in the process of formulating a screening... Read More
During World War II the government realized that the majority... Read More
In a time when public scrutiny is becoming tighter and... Read More
Spring is springing here in the Pacific Northwest the plants... Read More
Religion |