How to Effectively Study the Word Literal Interpretation

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How to Effectively Study the WordLiteral
Interpretation
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Layout of the Lessons

• Introduction and Preparation
• Literal Interpretation
• Principle I Examine Word Meanings /
  Relationships
• Principle II Observe The Context
• Principle III Determine The Historical Setting
• How To Productively Study The Word (Steps 1-4)
• How To Productively Study The Word (Step 5 -
  Interpretation)
• How To Productively Study The Word (Step 6 -
  Application)

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Literal Interpretation

• "Hermeneutics, the universal laws of human
  language, is a science. Man has not made up these
  laws, rather he has discovered them. These laws
  are just as real and objective as the law of
  gravity. These laws apply to all languages and
  cultures. They are timeless. They are relevant in
  interpreting writings written four thousand years
  ago and they will continue to be up-to-date as
  long as man is communicating to other men or even
  God. Just as for thousands of years, men knew and
  functioned by the law of gravity even though
  Newton had not formulated the law, even so for
  ages man has observed and functioned by the laws
  of human language even though they often were not
  aware of their existence."
• - Dennis W. Brindley

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Literal Interpretation

• Schools of Interpretation
• Allegorical
• Gives to words hidden and deeper meanings that
  were not intended by the author
• Popular in Jewish Theology (Example there must
  be 903 ways of dying because the Hebrew word for
  death in Psalm 6820 has a numerical value of
  903)
• Popular in the early church fathers (Example by
  Origen The two donkeys used in Christ's
  triumphal entry represent the Old and New
  Testaments.)
• Literal
• Gives to words the same meaning they would have
  in normal, ordinary usage
• Seeks to understand the intended meaning of the
  writer of Scripture
• Allegories are empty speculations and as it were
  the scum of Holy Scripture Luther
• It is the first business of an interpreter to
  let his author say what he does say, instead of
  attributing to him what we think he ought to say
  - Calvin
• Why literal interpretation?
• Literal fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
• Look up Isaiah 354-6. Then read Matthew 112-6.
  How does this passage indicate that Jesus thought
  Scripture was to be understood?
• Exercises some control over the interpreter
• If God gave man the ability to communicate, and
  man communicates in a plain, ordinary sense, then
  Gods communication to man should be the same
• It maintains a respect for the historical nature
  of the Bible

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Literal Interpretation

• Figurative language occurs when a writer or
  speaker represents one concept in terms of
  another
• "The animal devoured his meal" is a literal
  statement. "The flames devoured an old landmark"
  is a figurative statement
• A skillful writer or speaker will use figurative
  expressions both for greater emphasis and for
  intensified feeling .. Yet there is still
  intended meaning
• Plain - literal statement
• Meaning is the explicit assertion of the words
  (Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat
  with His disciples)
• Figurative-literal statement
• Meaning is the specific intention of the figure
  (the church of the living God, the pillar and
  ground of the truth)
• Guidelines for working with figurative-literal
  statements
• 1. Look carefully for a plain-literal meaning
  first (Zech 144 Literal?)
• 2. If a figure of speech is employed by the
  author, look for an explanation or clue to its
  meaning in the context (Jn 129 Vs. Exodus 11
  12)
• 3. If the plain-literal sense of a statement
  gives a contradiction, or a moral or physical
  impossibility, then look for a figurative-literal
  sense (Mat 73,5)
• 4. The "GOLDEN RULE" If the plain-literal makes
  good sense, seek no other

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Different Figures of Speech

• Metaphor a word or phrase that ordinarily
  designates one thing is used to designate another
  (God is my Rock)
• Simile indicated by such words as like or
  as (The kingdom of heaven is like a man who
  planted good seed in his field)
• Hypocatastasis an implied metaphor Beast!
  beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and
  Sadducees destroy this temple and in three
  days I will raise it
• Synecdoche a part is spoken of as if it were
  the whole a hired hand (worker) who desires to
  keep bread (food) on the table, a roof (shelter)
  over his family
• Metonymy occurs when one thing is spoken of to
  refer to something else, to which the first thing
  is related in some way for example, the White
  House said today.
• Personification occurs when a thing, quality, or
  idea is represented as a person for example,
  the heavens declare the glory of God
• Euphemism a word or phrase that is less direct
  is substituted because the writer believes that
  the direct form would be distasteful or harsh,
  he was gathered to his fathers Lazarus has
  fallen asleep she is having an affair
• Hyperbole exaggeration used for emphasis or
  effect. (And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck
  it out, and cast it from thee)

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Figure of Speech Identification

• Ex 1322 He did not take away the pillar of
  cloud by day, nor pillar of fire by night
• Psalm 231 The Lord is my Shepherd
• Isaiah 536 All of us like sheep have gone
  astray
• Daniel 616 Daniel was brought in and cast
  into the lions den
• Mat 513 you are the salt of the earth
• Mat 530 if your right hand makes you stumble,
  cut it off and throw it from you
• Mat 1234 you brood of vipers, how can you,
  being evil, speak is good?
• Col. 324 Whatever you do, do your work
  heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men
• I Pet. 22 like newborn babes, long for the pure
  milk of the Word
• Mat 634 Do not worry about tomorrow, for
  tomorrow will worry about its own things
• 2Chr 169 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
  throughout the whole earth, to show Himself
  strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal

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Types

• Some Old Testament constructions, events, and
  relationships were indicators in advance of what
  would become reality in the New Testament.

• Guidelines for interpreting
• Look for the basic meaning of the symbol. Go
  beyond the superficial.
• The physical is often used to picture the
  spiritual.
• Look for the consistent use of a specific symbol
  in the Old Testament.
• The symbol or type must be an illustration of and
  consistent with New Testament truth.
• Limit to the topic under consideration in the
  context
• Assume that details given have meaning. However,
  dont expect every detail to fit.
• Identify symbolic constants (e.g. Lion
  symbolizes power, whether evil or good)

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Parables

• The lesson is always woven into a story which is
  true to reality
• Jesus transition to parables is explained in
  Matthew 1310-17
• Designed to reveal the truth to those who really
  want to know it, and to conceal the truth from
  those casual curiosity or commitment to their
  preconceived errors
• A few guidelines
• Look for correlation of the physical features to
  the spiritual implications
• Seek to gain one solid point of application which
  speaks to the issue presented in the context
  where the parable is found
• Our Lord revealed the hidden meaning to believing
  hearts then he will do so for us now, if we
  humbly seek enlightenment as did the disciples
• Dont strain to make every minute detail fit

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Other Types of Writing

• Allegory
• Example in Galatians 422-31. Specifically told
  it is an allegory (v 24)
• Dont place MORE meaning into historical events
  than Paul does
• Many people allegorize things which had no
  intention of being allegorized
• History
• Not all historical narratives impart proper
  behavior (e.g. Noahs drunkenness, Abrahams
  multiple wives, etc.)
• Not all historical statements about God are
  correct (e.g. Job)
• Proverb
• A short saying that may be in frequent and
  widespread use that expresses a basic truth or
  practical precept.
• No context -- like giving the moral of the story
  without telling the story
• Not always hard and fast rules or promises, but
  often general rules of thumb
• Sermon
• Religious discourse delivered as part of a
  religious service or public address
• Sermon on the mount (Mt 5), Apostles in Acts
  (Acts 214ff, Acts 17)