6ON702: Hermeneutics

Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington D.C.

Fall 2007

Tremper Longman III, Ph.D.

Westmont College

955 La Paz Rd.

Santa Barbara, California 93108

1-805-565-3009

FAX: 1-805-565-7101

Course Description and Relevance for Ministry

This course explores a wide range of subjects related to responsible interpretation of the Bible. Particular passages of Scripture are the focus of discussions and practical exercises.

God reveals himself and his will to his people through the pages of Scripture. While the main doctrines of the faith are clear to readers, some passages are difficult to understand and are the subject of controversy. Further, even clear passages may be understood more deeply and richly subject to further study. The study of hermeneutics involves the theory and principles of reading the Bible correctly, that is in a way that leads to a proper understanding and more robust grasp of the divine author’s intention.

It is necessary to interpret a passage correctly before teaching or preaching the passage with true power.

Selected Topics to Be Covered (not necessarily in this order)

Topic One: What is Hermeneutics?

Topic Two: What Do We Mean When We Say a Passage Means Something?

Topic Three: The Role of the Author, Text, and Reader in the Production of Textual Meaning

Topic Four: How Do We Have Access to an Author’s Meaning?

Topic Four: What is the Text We Interpret? (Composition, Transmission, Canonization, Translation)

Topic Five: The Role of Reason and the Holy Spirit in Interpretation

Topic Six: Reading as Individuals and as a Community

Topic Seven: Literary Approaches to Bible Interpretation

Topic Eight: The Importance of Genre

Topic Nine: Conventions of Story Telling in Hebrew Prose

Topic Ten: Poetic Conventions in Hebrew Poetry

Topic Eleven: The Role of Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman Backgrounds in Studying the Bible

Topic Twelve: Is History Important?

Topic Thirteen: How to Read a Text in Its Biblical-Theological Context

Topic Fourteen: A Christological Approach to the Whole Bible

Topic Fifteen: Principles for Reading a Historical Text

Topic Sixteen: Principles for Reading a Legal Text

Topic Seventeen: Principles for Reading a Poetic Text

Topic Eighteen: Principles for Reading a Wisdom Text

Topic Nineteen: Principles for Reading a Prophetic Text

Topic Twenty: Principles for Reading a Gospel Text

Topic Twenty-One: Principles for Reading a Text from an Epistle

Topic Twenty-Two: Principles for Reading an Apocalyptic Text

Topic Twenty-Three: Critical Methods (Source, Form, Redaction)

Topic Twenty-Four: The Hermeneutics of Marriage and Slavery Texts

Topic Twenty-Five: The Hermeneutics of Texts Concerning Homosexuality

Topic Twenty-Six: Dispensationalist Hermeneutics

Topic Twenty-Seven: Postmodern Hermeneutics

Topic Twenty-Eight: The New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament

Class Schedule

The course will be held on four Friday-Saturdays

September 21-22

October 26-27

November 9-10

December 7-8 (taught by Dr. Miles Van Pelt, RTS Jackson)

Hours are Friday 7:30-10:00 PM and Saturdays 8:30-4:00PM

McLean Presbyterian Church

Reading Assignment

G. Goldsworthy, Gospel-Centred Hermeneutics: Biblical-theological Foundations and Principles (IVP Academic, 2007).

P. Enns, Incarnation and Inspiration (Baker, 2005).

W. Klein, C. Blomberg, R. Hubbard, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation : Revised and Expanded (Thomas Nelson, 2004).

G. Fee and D. Stuart, Reading the Bible for All Its Worth (Third edition; Zondervan, 2003).

Recommended Reading

If you have not read my Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind (NavPress, 1997), you might find it helpful in terms of following the lectures.

M. Silva (ed.), Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation (Zondervan, 1996).

Graded Assignments

1. Term Paper

All students will write a paper between 10 and 15 pages. This paper will be a detailed exegetical and biblical theological examination of one unit of text. The student may chose a text or topic from anywhere in the Bible, but it must be cleared by the professor by the last day of class. This paper will show the student’s personal reflection on the passage as well as interaction with the commentaries and other secondary literature.

Due: XXX

2. Reading Report

All students are to write a book report on the required reading. Each report is to be approx. 2 pages. Students should choose one issue in a book and write a critical interaction with that deals with that issue.

Due: XXX

3. Take-Home Exam

The exam will be an essay-type exam in an open book, take-home format. It will be written by all students taking this course for credit. The questions will help students review the class material and reflect on further implications of the material for their reading of the Bible. Students’ exam responses are not to be edited after the designated writing time has ended.

Due: XXX

Evaluation

Term Paper 45%

Exam 45%

Reading Reports 10%

Recommended Resources

Bibliography

Berkhof, L. Principles of Biblical Interpretation.

Carson, D. A. and J. D. Woodbridge (eds.). Hermeneutics, Authority, and Canon.

Dyck, E. The Act of Bible Reading.

Goldingay, J. Models or Interpretation of Scripture.

Green, J. How to Read the Gospels and Acts.

Green, J., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation.

Hawthorne, G. Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation.

Kaiser, W. and M. Silva. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics.

Longman, III, T. Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind.

----------------. Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation.

Lundin, R. The Culture of Interpretation.

Marshall, I. H. New Testament Interpretation.

McCartney, D. Let the Reader Understand.

Mickelsen, A. Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible.

Osborne, G. R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation.

Palmer, R. Hermeneutics: Interpretation Theory in Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, and Gadamer.

Poythress, V. S. God Centered Biblical Interpretation.

Ricoeur, P. Essays on Biblical Interpretation.

Silva, M. Has the Church Misread the Bible?: The History of Interpretation in the Light of Current Issues.

----------. “Contemporary Theories of Biblical Interpretation,” in The New Interpreter’s Bible.

----------. Foundations of Biblical Interpretation.

Thistelton, A. C. The Two Horizons: New Testament Hermeneutics and Philosophical Description with Special Reference to Heidegger, Bultmann, Gadamer, and Wittgenstein.

Vanhoozer, K. Is There Meaning in This Text?

Weinsheimer, J. Gadamer’s Hermeneutics.

On Linguistics in Interpretation

Black, D. Linguistics and New Testament Interpretation.

Carson, D. A. Exegetical Fallacies.

Cotterell, P. and M. Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation.

Kennedy, G. New Testament Interpretation through Rhetorical Criticism.

On Theology and Hermeneutics

Conn, H. Inerrancy and Hermeneutics.

Kaiser, W. C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching.

Watson, F. Text, Church, and World.

On Literary/Rhetorical Issues

Alter, R. The World of Biblical Literature.

---------. The Art of Biblical Narrative.

---------. The Art of Biblical Poetry.

---------. A Literary Guide to the Bible.

Gallagher, S. Literature through the Eyes of Faith.

Longman III, T. How to Read the Psalms.

Ryken, L. The Literature of the Bible.

-----------. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible.

-----------, J. Wilhoit, and T. Longman III, Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation.

Sider, J. Interpreting the Parables.

On Specialized Hermeneutics

Felder, C. Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation.

Schussler Fiorenza, E. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins.

On Archeology and the Bible

Walton, J. Ancient Israelite Religion in Its Cultural Context.

Williams, W. G. Archaeology in Biblical Research.

Wiseman, D. and E. Yamauchi. Archaeology and the Bible: An Introductory Study.

Yamauchi, E. The Archaeology of New Testament Cities in Western Asia Minor .

On the History of Interpretation

Evans, C. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation.

Hall, C. Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers.

McKim, D. Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters.

Muller, R. A. and J. L. Thompson (eds.). Biblical Interpretation in the Era of the Reformation.

Smalley, B. The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages.

On Reader-Response and Postmodern Hermeneutics

Adams, A. K. M. What is Post-Modern Interpretation.

Aichele, G., et. al. The Postmodern Bible.

Deweiler, R. Reader Response of the Bible in the Middle Ages.

Longman III, T. “Reading the Bible Postmodernly,” The Mars Hill Review.

On Sociological Approaches to the Bible

Elliott, J. H. A Home for the Homeless: A Sociological Analysis of 1 Peter, Its Situation and Strategy.

-------------. What is Social-Scientific Criticism?

-------------. Social-Scientific Criticism of the New Testament and Its Social World.

Holmberg, B. Sociological and the New Testament: An Appraisal.

Kee, H. C. Knowing the Truth: A Sociological Approach to New Testament Interpretation.

Kingsbury, J. D., ed. Gospel Interpretation: Narrative-Critical and Social-Scientific Approaches.

Malina, B. Biblical Social Values and Their Meaning: A Handbook.

-----------. New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology.

Osiek, C. What Are They Saying about the Social Setting of the New Testament?

Stambaugh, J. and D. Balch. The New Testament in Its Social Environment.

Tidall, D. The Social Context of the New Testament: A Sociological Analysis.

Resources for Critical Methods

Adam, A. K. M. What is Postmodern Biblical Criticism? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1995).

Barton, J. Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1996).

Beardslee, W. A. Literary Criticism of the New Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1990.

Ceresko, A. R. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation Perspective. Marknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1992.

Coggins, R. J. and J. L. Houlden. A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1990.

Elliott, J. H. What is Social-Scientific Criticism? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1993.

Exum, J. C. Fragmented Women: Feminist (Sub)Versions of Biblical Narratives. Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1993.

Freedman, D. N. Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 volumes). New Yhork: Doubleday, 1992.

Gamble, H. Y. The New Testament Canon: Its Making and Meaning (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985.

Gillingham, S. E. One Bible, Many Voices: Different Approaches to Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Gottwald, N. K. and R. A. Horsley (eds.). Bible and Liberation: Political and Social Hermeneutics (Bible and Liberation Series). London: SPCK, 1993.

Habel, N. Literary Criticism of the Old Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

Kille, D. A. Psychological Biblical Criticism (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 2000.

Koontz, G. G. and W. Swartley (eds.). Perspectives on Feminist Hermeneutics. Elkhart: Institute of Mennonite Studies, 1987.

Krentz, E. The Historical-Critical Method (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1975.

Lance, H. D. The Old Testament and the Archaeologist (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981.

Mack, B. L. Rhetoric and the New Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1970.

McKenzie, S. L. and S. R. Haynes (eds.). To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application. Rev. and expanded edition. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1999.

Miller, J. M. The Old Testament and the Historian (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1976.

Newsome, C. A. and S. H. Ringo (eds.). The Women’s Commentary. Louisville: John Knox/Westminster Press, 1992.

Niditch, S. Folklore and the Hebrew Bible. (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1993.

Overholt, T. W. Cultural Anthropology and the Old Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1996.

Patte, D. Structural Exegesis for New Testament Critics (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.

---------. What is Structural Exegesis? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.

Perrin, N. What is Redaction Criticism? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1969.

Petersen, N. R. Literary Criticism for New Testament Critics (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978.

Powell, M. A. What is Narrative Criticism? (Guides to Biblical Scholarship)..

Rast, W. E. Tradition History and the Old Testament (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

Rowland, C. and M. Corner. Liberating Exegesis: The Challenge of Third World Liberation Theology to the World of Biblical Studies. Louisville: John Knox, 1991.

Ruether, R. R. Sexism and God-Talk: Toward a Feminist Theology. Boston: Beacon, 1963.

Sanders, J. A. Canon and Community: A Guide to Canonical Criticism. (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.

Schussler-Fiorenza, E. Searching the Scriptures, Volume One: A Feminist Introduction Philadelphia: Fortress, 1990. New York: Crossroads, 1993.

Sugirtharajah, R. S. Voices from the Margin: Interpreting the Bible in the Third World. Maryknoll, NY: Oribs Books, 1991.

Trible, P. Rhetorical Criticism: Context, Method and the Book of Jonah. (Guides to Biblical Scholarship) Philadelphia: Fortress, 1994.

Tucker, G. M. Form Criticism of the Old Testament. (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

West, G. O. Biblical Hermeneutics of Liberation: Modes of Reading the Bible in the South African Context. Pietermarizburg: Cluste, 1991.

Wilson, R. R. Sociological Approaches to the Old Testament. (Guides to Biblical Scholarship). Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981.

Boda lists the following methods:

Historical critical Krentz, Miller

Archeology Lance

Source criticism Habel

Form criticism Tucker; McKnight

Tradition criticism Rast

Folklore criticism Niditch

Redaction criticism Perrin

Canonical criticism Sanders; Gamble

Rhetorical criticism Trible; Mack, Petersen, Beardslee

Structural criticism Patte

Narrative criticism Powell

Psychological criticism Kille

Anthropological criticism Overholt

Sociological criticism Wilson

Social-scientific criticism Elliott

Liberation criticism Ceresko, Gottwald-Horsley, West, Sugirtharajah, Rowland-Corner

Feminist criticism Exum; Koontz-Swartley; Schussler-Fiorenza; Ruether, Newsome-Ringo

Postmodern criticism

General Lecture Outline

What is Hermeneutics?

Why can’t we just read it? Why study hermeneutics?

Distanciation—a reason for and a necessary act

All of life is interpretation

Perspecuity and sufficiency of Scripture

Science versus art versus intuition

Hermeneutics and Preaching, Teaching, and Reading the Bible Devotionally

Goal of Interpretation: Author’s Meaning

Author

Text

Reader

Questions:

Who is the author?

What about multi-authored books? (redaction and inspiration)

Divine and Human Authorship

How do we have access to the author’s meaning?

What is the text?

Its conventions

Who is the Reader?

Implied and actual.

Through the ages

Is There a Single Meaning?

The Object of Interpretation: The Text

Composition

Text Transmission

Canonization

Translation

The Stance of the Reader

Faith and the Holy Spirit

The Limitations of Finitude (Lens)

The Limitations of Sin

Reading in Community

Literary Interpretations of Biblical Literature

A History from Patristic Times to Today

Story and Poems and Letters

Genre

Narrative

Plot

Characterization

Narrator and Point of View

Setting

Style

Dialogue

Reticence

Poetry

Terseness

Parallelism

Imagery

Secondary Poetic Devices

Theological Interpretations of Biblical Literature

What is Biblical-Theology?

Acts of God

Metaphors of God

God-Centered Readings of the Old Testament

Christological Interpretations of the Whole Bible

Historical Interpretations of Biblical Literature

What is History?

Is There History in the Bible?

Does History Matter?

Does Archaeology Contribute to Our Understanding of the Bible?

Studying the Bible against its Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman Background

Special Topic: How Does the New Testament Use the Old Testament?

The Fundamentals: Basic Principles of Interpretation

1. Confirm the Limits of a Text

2. Study in Context

3. Read Closely

4. Determine the Genre

5. Literary Analysis

6. Historical Context

7. Biblical Theology

8. Move Toward Life

Interpretive Principles of the Various Genres of Biblical Literature

History

Law

Lyric Poetry

Wisdom

Prophecy

Gospel

Epistle

Apocalyptic

Rival Hermeneutic Approaches:

Dispensationalist Hermeneutics

Theonomic Hermeneutics

Postmodern Hermeneutics, including deconstruction, Marxist and Feminist Interpretation

Special Topics:

Does the Bible prohibit More Than One Wife?

Does the Bible prohibit Slavery?

Does the Bible prohibit homosexual behavior?