|
|
|
|
Hermeneutics Part 6 Historical Interpretation Circumstances Peculiar to the Writings Besides the general circumstances of the author’s life, there are some if a more special character that directly influenced his writings. Sound interpretation, of course, requires they be given special consideration. The Original Readers And Hearers For the correct understanding of a writing or discourse, it is extremely important to know for whom it was originally intended. This applies particularly to those books of the Bible that are of an occasional character, such as the prophetical books and the New Testament Epistles. These were naturally adapted to the special circumstances and the particular needs of the reader. The writer necessarily took into account their geographical, historical, and social position; their industrial and commercial relations; their educational and social advantages; their moral and religious character, and their personal idiosyncrasies, prejudices, and peculiar habits of thought. The writer’s knowledge of these is reflected in his book. The accounts, largely, for the characteristic differences of the Synoptic Gospels. The defection of the Galatians accounts for the severity of the Epistle which Paul wrote to them. And the unselfish devotion of the Philippians to the great apostle of the Gentiles, and their adherence to his doctrine, explains the fundamental note of gratitude and joy that marking the letter they received from Paul, the prisoner. The condition of the original readers not only determines the general character of the writing, but also explains many of its particulars. The divisions at Corinth clearly gave Paul occasion to say: “For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephus, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s ( 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ).” Where the apostle says in 1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, It is not at all unlikely that a form of expression was suggested by because such fights were common place at Corinth. Perhaps the condition of the Galatian church explains why Paul, who himself circumcised Timothy, would write to them: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumsised, Christ shall profit you nothing." Why would Paul write to the Colossians rather than to others: For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. An intimate knowledge of the original readers will often illuminate the pages of the writing addressed to them in an unexpected manner. The same principle applies to the original heaters of a discourse, so they, too, should be made the object of special study. The Purpose of The Author The writers of the Biblical books naturally had some purpose unfailingly in mind. We may believe the mind of the writer was constantly fixed on it, and that he was guided by it in the selection of his material and in the expression of the thoughts. Therefore, the knowledge of the end he had will not only aid in understanding the book as a whole, but also will illumine the details. It is not always easy too figure out the object of a writing. In some cases the interpreter must depend upon an ecclesiastical tradition that is not always reliable, but should be received with reserve. In other writings, the author states the purpose of his book, as Solomon, in Proverbs 1:2-4; Luke , in Luke 1:1-4; John, in John 20:31, and Revelation 1:1; Peter, in 1 Peter 5:12. In still others, the knowledge of the original readers and the circumstances in which they lived, together with the occasion that led to the composition of the book, will aid in the discovery of its purpose, as 1 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, and Hebrews. There are also instances in which only the repeated reading of a book will help you to detect its object. Time of Life, Special Circumstance, And Frame of Mind These are the elements of life through which the author wrote his work; they are important considerations. The author’s historical circumstances and his frame of mind also influenced his writing. This applies not only to the books of the Bible but also influenced his writing. This applies not only to the books of the Bible but also to the speeches and discourses recorded in it. It is impossible to interpret the touching elegy of David on the occasion Saul and Jonathan’s death, except in the light of his tremendous for God’s anointed, and his great love for Jonathan. And how can anyone give an adequate explanation of the Lamentations of Jeremiah unless he is acquainted with the sad plight of the Holy City, and with the anguish of the prophet? While the interpreter should gratefully apply whatever historical knowledge he has at his command, in the interpretation of the Bible, he must be careful not to let his imagination run wild at the expenses of Scripture. What is purely the fruit of imagination should never be presented as historical truth. Helps For The Historical Interpretation As you may have guessed, there are two types of helps: internal and external. Each of these, along with their intrinsic value, will be discussed here. Internal The principle resources for the historical interpretation of Scripture are found in the Bible itself. In distinction from all other writings, it contains the absolute truth, and therefore its information deserves to be preferred to that extracted from other sources. The believing and conscientious exegete will ask first: What does the Bible say? In Chronicles 30:1, King Hezekiah commands all Israel and Judah to keep the Passover. If the interpreter desires more light on this feast, he should not turn to Josephus in the first place, but to such passages as Exodus 12:2-21; Leviticus 23:4-14; Numbers 28:16 ff.; Deuteronomy 16:1-8. According to the prophecy of the angel to Manoah, Samson was destined to be a Nazarite (Judges 13:5), but what was a Nazarite? The answer to that question is found in Numbers 6. Zechariah pronounces judgment on those “that swear by Malcham.” 1 Kings speaks of him as the god of the Ammonities, and Leviticus 18:21 and 20:2-5 point out he was served with human sacrifices. In the New Testament we meet with the party of the Sadducees, and the question arises, What characterized them? The following passages give at least a partial answer to that query: Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8. The Samaritans are repeatedly named also, and, again, we ask, Who were they? The study of passages like 2 Kings 17:24-41; Ezra 4; and Nehemiah 4 will shed light on the question. External If you have exhausted the resources of scripture and still need further information, you should turn to the profane (non scriptural) sources available to you. The following works are good sources for such information as you may have need of: 1. For the Old Testament
2. For the New Testament
3. Other historical writings
|
|
|
