Hermeneutics
Studying hermeneutics, the art and science of interpretating the Bible, enhances our understanding by providing tools to accurately interpret scriptures, while considering historical and cultural contexts.
Number of lessons: 30
Total length: 14 hours and 38 minutes
Format: Video and Audio
About This Class
Hermeneutics is the science and art of the interpretation of the Bible. It's a science because it is an orderly process based on rules you can apply. It is an art because of the nuances in communication and translation.
Other Recommended Reading:
Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Revised Edition, William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.
Journey from Texts to Translations, The: The Origin and Development of the Bible, Paul D. Wegner
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About the Professor
Todd Miles
Dr. Todd Miles is a Professor of Theology at Western Seminary and Pastor of Teaching at Gresham Bible Church. He is an author, speaker, and former research engineer, known for books on theology, superheroes, and marijuana. He holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology.
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Lessons
- Welcome to this foundational lesson on hermeneutics, where we dive into Matthew 11 to explore the life and doubts of John the Baptist. By examining John’s identity as the prophesied forerunner and his struggle while imprisoned, this study demonstrates how historical context and messianic prophecy unlock the Bible’s deeper meaning. You will discover why Jesus considers the "least in the kingdom" to have a greater privilege than even the greatest Old Testament prophets. This session invites you to refine your interpretive skills while gaining a profound appreciation for your unique place in redemptive history as a witness to Christ.0% Complete
- This lesson on hermeneutics teaches you to approach the Bible with humility, seek divine guidance, analyze context, consider character roles, examine structure, use cross-references, apply sanctified imagination, and emphasize Jesus in interpretation, all while relying on the Holy Spirit.0% Complete
- This lesson introduces general and special revelation, emphasizing their roles in inviting people to know God and providing specific truths for salvation. It explores the process of inspiration, defining it as a concurrent work of a holy God and a human author, ensuring every word of Scripture is both human and divine, crucial for biblical interpretation.0% Complete
- This lesson reveals the Bible's divine authority, unity, and human relevance, stressing accurate interpretation for life transformation.0% Complete
- Learn about hermeneutics, understanding author intent, and different views on interpretation. Dr. Miles discusses realism vs. non-realism, authorial authority, and introduces speech act theory to show how the Bible engages with readers.0% Complete
- This lesson delves into theological text interpretation, emphasizing that meaning is human-made, not inherent. Authors, not readers, shape text meaning. Accurate Bible interpretation hinges on understanding God's authorship, emphasizing His lordship, knowledge, and obedience. Presuppositions about God and human nature are vital for accurate Bible interpretation.0% Complete
- From this lesson, you will gain insights into the challenges of translating the Bible, understanding the continuum of translation philosophies, and the importance of selecting a translation that balances accuracy and readability in contemporary language. Dr. Todd Miles underscores the significance of using the best available manuscripts, avoiding theological bias, and staying updated with the latest knowledge of language and culture to ensure a quality translation.0% Complete
- This lesson introduces hermeneutics, showing that biblical interpretation relies on careful reading and context, highlighting the importance of literary context and the three horizons—textual, epochal, and canonical—using Matthew 18:20 as an example.0% Complete
- Learn the significance of interpreting Bible passages in the context of redemptive history. Discover the Bible's continuous narrative, emphasizing revelation's progression and God's plan through the David and Goliath story. See how context ensures accurate interpretation, connecting the Bible's parts into a cohesive story of God's redemption.0% Complete
- Understanding the Bible through biblical theology is crucial, as it reveals the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan, centered on His glory and the role of Jesus Christ, enabling a more profound comprehension of individual Bible passages and their relevance to our lives.0% Complete
- Dr. Todd Miles underscores the vital role of historical and cultural context in interpreting the Bible. Understanding the era when a passage was penned is crucial for grasping its genuine significance. Using examples like the virgins' parable and Revelation 3:14-22, it demonstrates how historical context aids in discerning interpretations and adds depth to the message. The text emphasizes that, while the Bible offers some historical context, external sources can also enhance comprehension. In conclusion, historical and cultural context is essential for accurate biblical interpretation.0% Complete
- Dr. Miles emphasizes that culture plays a significant role in both the biblical author's writing and the reader's interpretation of the Bible.0% Complete
- In this lesson, Dr. Miles highlights the significance of studying words in their original language and using etymology to decipher their original meanings.0% Complete
- Learn how recognizing and applying literary genres in the Bible is crucial for accurate interpretation, avoiding misinterpretations, and approaching Scripture with a nuanced understanding.0% Complete
- In this lesson, you will gain an understanding of interpreting biblical narratives. It begins by discussing the distinction between historical narratives and parables, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the markers of historical narrative.0% Complete
- In this lesson, Dr. Miles reviews biblical narrative interpretation, emphasizes the importance of context within the broader biblical and book context. He illustrates this with Mark 5, where Jesus interacts with demons.0% Complete
- Gain insight into the intricate relationship between the Old Testament Law and New Covenant believers. Dr. Miles emphasizes the challenge of applying ancient laws to contemporary life.0% Complete
- This lesson discusses prophecy's significance beyond predicting the future. It validates God's deity, reveals future realities, and guides our present actions. Most prophecy is about forth-telling and emphasizes covenant understanding.0% Complete
- In this lesson, you'll gain insights into the challenges of interpreting prophecy, including wrong expectations, historical context, conditional fulfillment, and various forms of prophetic proclamations, while also being reminded not to let contemporary agendas override the biblical text.0% Complete
- In taking this lesson, you gain insight into the concept of typology in biblical interpretation. Typology involves finding resemblances between Old Testament figures, events, and institutions and their fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ.0% Complete
- Learn about poetry in the Bible by exploring Hebrew poetic parallelism and its emotional power in Psalms. Discover how poetry enhances biblical narratives and offers unique insights.0% Complete
- In this lesson, Dr. Todd Miles discusses various types of psalms found in the Psalter and delves into their unique characteristics and theological significance. He begins by providing a list of different kinds of psalms, emphasizing that this list is not exhaustive but illustrative, highlighting the diversity of poetry within the Psalms.0% Complete
- By studying this lesson, you gain insight into essential figures of speech in the Bible and learn to interpret them effectively, enhancing your hermeneutical skills and deepening your understanding of the Scriptures.0% Complete
- In this lesson, Dr. Todd Miles discusses the interpretation of parables. Parables are a specific literary genre with their own rules of interpretation. Parables are designed to teach a single point, although there might be exceptions. Historical context remains essential in understanding parables, as they are shaped by the situations of the day.0% Complete
- This lesson explores Proverbs and wisdom literature, focusing on its distinct genre, interpretation rules. Dr. Miles highlights its purpose, living wisely with God. It emphasizes the fear of the Lord, touches Ecclesiastes' question of meaning, and Job's theodicy.0% Complete
- In this lesson on interpreting epistles, Dr. Todd Miles underscores the importance of understanding their structure, argumentative methods, and central theological focus on Jesus Christ and the gospel, even when addressing practical issues within the early Christian communities.0% Complete
- Dr. Todd Miles delves into apocalyptic literature, emphasizing its distinct features like revelatory communication and angelic guidance. It unveils profound truths through visions, promoting understanding and righteous conduct.0% Complete
- In this lesson, Dr. Todd Miles explores the concept of perspicuity, which refers to the clarity of the Bible. He begins by explaining that perspicuity is a theological term used to describe how clear the Bible's teachings are. It means that the Bible is written in a way that its teachings can be understood by anyone who reads it, seeks God's help, and is willing to follow it.0% Complete
- This lesson provides practical guidelines for applying biblical principles. Dr. Miles emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit, examining the original context, and identifying parallel situations in the present. He encourages applications to be personal, specific, measurable, and time-bound, ensuring they lead to tangible actions in your life.0% Complete
- In this lesson, you'll grasp the Holy Spirit's vital role in biblical interpretation, going beyond changing hearts to enabling comprehension and acceptance of the text. Dr. Todd Miles stresses the Spirit's role in illuminating the Bible, making it relevant to believers, challenging the idea that unbelievers interpret it as effectively, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the text's intent. The ultimate aim is not mastery but being mastered by the text, with the Holy Spirit as a key player.0% Complete
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