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Theological FAQ: What does the term “grammatical-historical hermeneutic” mean......
CPRF ^ | Nathan Pitchford & John Hendryx

Posted on 01/09/2010 12:47:23 PM PST by Gamecock

Full Title: Theological FAQ: What does the term “grammatical-historical hermeneutic” mean, and why is it important?

In 1515 AD, Martin Luther rejected the elaborate four-fold hermeneutic that had been predominant throughout the Medieval centuries, and which led to some very far-fetched allegorizing of the bible, leaving scriptural interpretation in the hands of the experts, who alone were capable of figuring out the secret things that bible passages really meant. This would eventually lead to the great Protestant Reformation, which is therefore, most fundamentally, a hermeneutically-driven struggle. In place of this allegorical hermeneutic, Luther proposed what he termed a “grammatical-historical” hermeneutic.

According to Luther's new hermeneutic, which was actually just the recovered hermeneutic of the earliest Church Fathers, each bible passage had one basic meaning, which was firmly rooted in historical truth, and related accurately according to the common principles of human language. Thus, it was “historical,” relating real, interconnected historical events, that must be acknowledged and understood before the various teachings of the bible could make sense or have application; and “grammatical,” using language the way any normal person would. This grammatical-historical hermeneutic is absolutely vital, for it tethers the truth of the scriptures to real, historical events, that have a real impact on our life; and it gives us a way to study the scriptures with confidence, according to well-established dictates of human language.


TOPICS: Apologetics; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: doctrine; theology
What is theology?
Why is the study of theology important?
Where do we go to learn about theology?
What is the Bible About?
What Makes the Bible Unique?
Can anyone read and understand the bible on his own?
Theological FAQs: Does the Church have to interpret the bible?
What principles of interpretation are necessary to study the bible?
1 posted on 01/09/2010 12:47:24 PM PST by Gamecock
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To: drstevej; OrthodoxPresbyterian; CCWoody; Wrigley; Gamecock; Jean Chauvin; jboot; AZhardliner; ...
Next in a series


2 posted on 01/09/2010 12:49:57 PM PST by Gamecock (We always have reasons for doing what we do.)
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To: Gamecock

Keep this coming, precious one. I love it. Sola Fide.


3 posted on 01/09/2010 12:57:37 PM PST by esquirette (If we do not know our own worldview, we will accept theirs.)
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To: Wings-n-Wind

PING = LATER


4 posted on 01/09/2010 1:01:12 PM PST by Wings-n-Wind (The main things are the plain things!)
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To: Gamecock

thanks a lot for the postings regarding this information. up here in the great state of Upper Peninsula Michigan, my seminary days are long gone. miss the theological debates. still have my books from seminary days - dabneys Systematic theology. and many others thanks again. look forward to the posts


5 posted on 01/09/2010 1:42:57 PM PST by hondact200 (hondact200)
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To: Gamecock

I don’t think people should use such language in proper company


6 posted on 01/09/2010 1:43:16 PM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards,com)
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To: Gamecock

Excellent Gammer..
It really explains a lot about the difference in the way we read scripture..

Love Luther!!


7 posted on 01/09/2010 2:23:46 PM PST by RnMomof7
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To: Gamecock

Fascinating. Having had 4 years at RTS Charlotte, training in the grammatical-historical method of hermanuetics, I have to say its very sad how many preachers in the evangelical world, have no clue about it, and give sloppy topical, or, allegorical sermons...as a routine. Many lay people don’t know the difference either, and find REAL preaching boring—and just can’t handle the right interpretation of the word.

Way too many ear ticklers out there....and ears looking to be scratched.


8 posted on 01/09/2010 3:30:07 PM PST by AnalogReigns
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To: Gamecock
Next in a series

Upcoming topics might be a little more exciting (in the "defending ourselves from pitchfork wielding mobs" sense).

9 posted on 01/09/2010 6:40:19 PM PST by Lee N. Field ("What is your only comfort, in life and death?" "That I an not my own, but belong, body and soul...")
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To: AnalogReigns
I have to say its very sad how many preachers in the evangelical world, have no clue about it, and give sloppy topical, or, allegorical sermons...as a routine. Many lay people don’t know the difference either, and find REAL preaching boring—and just can’t handle the right interpretation of the word.

Not a new problem:

"Nay, what one sermon was there from which old wives might not carry off more whimsies than they could devise at their own fireside in a month? For as sermons were then usually divided, the first half was devoted to those misty questions of the schools which might astonish the rude populace, while the second contained sweet stories, or not unassuming speculations, by which the hearers might be kept on the alert. Only a few expressions were thrown in from the Word of God, that by their majesty they might procure credit for these frivolities." J. Calvin, "Reply to Sadoleto"

10 posted on 01/09/2010 6:48:47 PM PST by Lee N. Field ("What is your only comfort, in life and death?" "That I an not my own, but belong, body and soul...")
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To: Gamecock
Thanks for the interesting article. I am enjoying this series. I was wondering though, the article said:

In 1515 AD, Martin Luther rejected the elaborate four-fold hermeneutic that had been predominant throughout the Medieval centuries, and which led to some very far-fetched allegorizing of the bible, leaving scriptural interpretation in the hands of the experts, who alone were capable of figuring out the secret things that bible passages really meant

Does anyone know what the four-fold hermeneutic was? Just curious.

11 posted on 01/11/2010 10:30:05 AM PST by lupie
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To: Lee N. Field

BWAAAHAAA!


12 posted on 01/11/2010 10:39:02 AM PST by Gamecock (We always have reasons for doing what we do.)
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