Chapter 10: Modern approaches to the New Testament

Question 1

Define hermeneutics.

Answer 1

Derived from the Greek meaning “to interpret”. It designates the art and science of interpreting a text. It includes exegesis and concerns both what the text meant originally and what it means today.

Question 2

Define historical criticism.

Answer 2

Deals with the historical setting of a document (i.e. time and place written; its sources; the events, dates, persons and places mentioned or implied in the text). It sometimes implies a philosophical stance that is hostile to biblical claims about God’s dealings in human affairs.

Question 3

What are the five types of cognitive understanding?

Answer 3

1. historical understanding
2. doctrinal understanding
3. typological understanding
4. allegorical understanding
5. prophetic understanding

Question 4

What is the principle of progressive revelation?

Answer 4

The principle teaches that God’s revelation of Himself in scripture grows in fullness and clarity as the centuries of his dealings with humanity progress.

Question 5

What are the three areas we look at when studying the scripture?

Answer 5

Conditions, methods, aims

Question 6

What are some of the more advance methods used to arrive at a proper interpretation of the Bible?

Answer 6

textual criticism, source criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism, literary, criticism, canonical criticism, sociologial criticism, discourse analysis, structuralism, and theological interpretation of Scripture.

Question 7

What should our aims be when studying the scripture?

Answer 7

Self-application, doxological aim - it should lead to worship God, to personal communion with Him, and missional aim - the intention of passing on to others what we’ve gleaned from the scriptures.

Question 8

Define exegesis.

Answer 8

Finding the text’s original meaning.