One In Jesus

The other night, I was surfing the Internet to learn more of what others think about Biblical hermeneutics. I was astonished to learn how many people from many different faith traditions refer to hermeneutics as a “science.”

You see, to me, hermeneutics is as much about poetry and art as it is about science. After all, hermeneutics is the process of understanding God’s written word. And understanding anyone is far from scientific–at least, as we tend to use the word. Continue reading →

Several years ago, our then minister, Buddy Jones, preached a powerful sermon. He begin with a large, clear glass. Maybe it was a brandy snifter.

He began by talking about how busy we all are. He placed some large smooth rocks in the glass, saying these represent our faith and family. And then some smaller rocks representing our jobs and such. He then added some smaller rocks that represented lesser priorities, all the while discussing how we try to squeeze so much into a little space. He then added some sand, and finally some water–up to the very brim.

We were surprised at how much he was able to fit in there. He asked the audience, so what’s the lesson?

Well, we were stunned, because preachers just don’t ask questions, you know! But a few courageous souls tried, most saying something like how hard it is to squeeze everything in.

Buddy said, no, the lesson is—THE BIG ROCKS GO IN FIRST! Continue reading →

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 to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Jesus then gives several examples of bad interpretations of the Law of Moses and gives his own interpretation, giving us a marvelous example of the contrast between flawed and perfect hermeneutics. 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 oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

The Law of Moses contained prohibitions against swearing (e.g. Num. 30:2). Jesus makes the point that the Pharisees’ teaching that some oaths are binding and some are not violates God’s will regardless of what you swear by. God’s will is that you keep your word!

Jesus, thus, looks through the command to the purpose behind the command. 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. Your friends are an evil influence on you!

Socrates: My friends are those who want to help me, and my enemies are those who want to hurt me, right?

Opponent: Um, right.

Socrates: The people you call my friends you say wish to hurt me. You, who consider yourself my enemy, want to help me. It seems that my friends are my enemies and my enemies are my friends!

Opponent: You make black white and white black! I can’t stand listening to 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 sufficient to tell us how to please God. We don’t need to read the minutes of the Nicene Council or the essays of Tertullian or Clement to sort that out.

But the study of church history is like looking in a mirror. Continue reading →