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The New Hermeneutic Introduction: A term that has been used the last few years has been the "New Hermeneutic." We are told it is a new and better way of understanding the Bible, improving spiritually, and ending religious division. So what is this "New Hermeneutic" and what does the Bible say about it. I) The Bible Warns Against Changing The Established Ways, Proverbs 22.28 A) During the days of Jeremiah there was the call to return to the ancient ways, Jeremiah 6.16. 1. I guess they had discovered their own new hermeneutic. 2. This reminds me of the old saying, "The more things change the more they stay the same." B) Warning of the uncertain sound of the trumpet, 1 Corinthians 14.8 1. The trumpet was a device used to communicate with a large group of people. 2. Distinctive sounds were used to convey distinct messages and warnings. When a sound was uncertain the people would not know what to do. C) Removing the ancient landmarks, Job 24.2 1. Property lines were often marked out by creeks, stones, trees, etc. 2. To move the landmark changed your property, often at the expense of your neighbor. D) New Testament warning 2 Timothy 4.2-3 (How?) 1. Does the message change over time and culture? 2. Does the message remain the same and the style change? Or is it both? II) The New Hermeneutic A) Hermeneutic – the science of interpretation 1. Biblical hermeneutic – the process of interpreting the scriptures in such a way as to find the original meaning of the test, i.e. what the writer is saying. a. That is after all the point is it not? b. To understand what Jesus was saying to the Jews? c. To understand what Peter was saying on the Day of Pentecost? d. To understand what Paul was saying to the church at Ephesus? B) The purpose of the Bible is to reveal the will of God, 2 Timothy 3.16-17 1. This requires us to "rightly divide the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2.15.b C) Mid to late 1980s an appeal to change the way of interpreting the Bible 1. Old Hermeneutic – direct command, approved example, necessary implication 2. Why an appeal for a New Hermeneutic? a. To allow more freedom (not be stuck in the past) b. To make the church more appealing to the world (instrumental music, women preachers, women elders, open fellowship, etc.) III) Practices That Need To Be Abandoned and Replaced A) Using the New Testament as a pattern or blueprint 1. Specifically the Book of Acts and the Epistles (not binding) 2 Timothy 1.13 2. The Epistles are love letters B) Establishing Bible authority by the use of apostolic examples or necessary implications 1. Replace with a so called "Jesus test", Colossians 1.27 2. This assumes we can know what Jesus would do without using part of the New Testament. C) Making the silence of the scriptures prohibitive 1. If the Bible does not say not to, we can. Leviticus 10.1 2. Yet the Bible itself does say we are not to go beyond what it written, 1 Cor. 4.6 D) Using the Bible as a book of case law, Psalm 119.110 1. The Bible is a love letter, 2 John 9 E) Using reason and logic when trying to learn God’s will 1. We are not to look for Bible facts 2. We can not see the Bible alike, sincerity becomes the standard. F) Claiming to know the truth 1. Faith is not knowledge but a trust in God without knowledge. IV) New Hermeneutic Proposals A) The need for a greater focus on God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit 1. How can we know them without the Bible? Ephesians 3.1-5 2. We must be careful of cookbook religion. B) The need to view scripture as a narrative story 1. A story to teach general principles but not specific application. Figurative 2. Example: We need to accept Christ. Baptism is a sign of a mature faith. C) The need to maintain our theological identity (Core Gospel) 1. Our belief in God, Jesus as the Son of God, and the Lord’s Supper D) The need to read the Bible like Jesus, Matthew 12.1-14 1. As long as we have the right attitude and love we can do whatever we want. V) What Did Jesus Do? A) He gave direct statements and commands, John 14.15 B) He appealed to approved examples, Matthew 16.24 C) He used necessary implication, Luke 12.54-57 Conclusion: The Holy Spirit came to reveal all truth, John 16.13. The Bible is more than a story book it contains facts, promises, and commands. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 12.16.07 |