Paraphrased notes: How to Interpret the Bible by Darrell Ferguson:
Every verse of the Bible means exactly what the author intended it to mean. We take literally the stuff that was intended to be taken literally and we take figuratively the stuff that was intended to be taken figuratively. We take the Bible literally unless it gives us reason not to, for example, if it would not make sense. Give God the courtesy that you would give anyone in communication.
A chair, for example, can be an object that you sit on or it may be used as a verb--to chair a group. The meaning comes from the person speaking. A dictionary can give us a semantic range of ideas. It is easy to know what something means by its context.
The wicked of course pervert the word of God. A verse does not mean what you want it to mean, it means what it means. If I tell you to "Put something in the trunk." You know that I do not mean "Put something in the trunk (of an elephant)."
We gain the meaning of biblical passages by understanding what the word meant at that time. "Quantum" in the past referred to an amount--a quantum leap, for example. Today, it means more--the smallest quantity of radiant energy, for example.
When
people
use the
"That's
just
your
interpretation."
excuse.
The real
question
is
"Which
hermeneutic
is
correct?
Judge--which
teachers
are
credible
and
discern.
Words do not have meanings. What does a word mean in scripture?--It means exactly what the author intended it to mean.
The word "ax" can be something to cut something down or if I "ax" you a question; today it means I have an inquiry.
The word "love" in the Bible is translated in a variety of ways:
Men did love the darkness rather than the light (Jn 3:19).
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 Jn 2:15).
The word "agape" can mean God's love or sexual love (Song of Solomon).
Meaning comes from the author's mind, then to our mind. That is where communication happens.
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 1
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 2
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 3
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 4
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 5
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 6
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 7
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 8
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 9
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 10
Hermeneutics: How to
Interpret the Bible Lesson 11
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