Category Archives: Hermeneutics

Additional important examples of Jesus’ hermeneutics are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Early in the sermon, Jesus declares, (Matt. 5:17-18) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come … Continue reading →

Consider how Jesus interpreted the Old Testament: (Matt. 23:16-22) “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his … Continue reading →

Many years go, public television aired a biography of Socrates. I well remember an exchange between him and one of his opponents– Opponent: Socrates, you have to stop teaching these lies! You’re destroying your reputation. People are laughing at you. … Continue reading →

I imagine this sounds contradictory to what I just said about being cautious in using the Patristics, but it’s not. We do need to learn from history, but what we need to learn is more about ourselves. The Bible is … Continue reading →

Some things are in the Bible to teach us and as examples we are to follow. Other things are just what happened–not as examples. Jesus changed water into wine at a wedding. Does this mean we are to serve wine … Continue reading →

The “Patristics” are letters and such written by uninspired Christians in the centuries shortly after the founding of the church. Sometimes the authors are called the “Church Fathers.” We are blessed by having a considerable volume of these writings. We … Continue reading →

I’m not real happy with this title, but I couldn’t think of a better way to say it without a paragraph-long caption. “Positive law” is a law that’s a law just because someone in power (God in this context) says … Continue reading →

Let me suggest that we take more seriously a couple of passages that we don’t talk about very much– (1 Cor. 2:14-16)  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for … Continue reading →

A certain expert in the Law of Moses asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” He was asking Jesus for an interpretation of the Law of Moses, which commanded the Israelites to love their neighbors. In response, Jesus told the Parable … Continue reading →

I was not expecting to find this as an important principle, but as I read Paul’s arguments in particular, I am struck at how many times he refers to baptism or the Lord’s Supper as instructive for our behavior in … Continue reading →