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Exegesis vs Eisegesis


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I agree. Simply having a sound methodology does not guarantee that one will arrive at the text's meaning. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the text. But, one should not abandon sound hermeneutical principles just because we are engaged in a spiritual activity. God chose to revel Himself through the agancy of human literature. So using sound interpretive principles is essential for partnering with the Holy Spirit to ascertain meaning.

One of the underlying principles of hermeneutics is that the Bible does not contain hidden meanings ... what if it does? What if the "fig tree" is not just a fig tree? What if the "virgins" with "oil" in their lamps, and not just virgins with oil in their lamps?

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I agree. Simply having a sound methodology does not guarantee that one will arrive at the text's meaning. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the text. But, one should not abandon sound hermeneutical principles just because we are engaged in a spiritual activity. God chose to revel Himself through the agancy of human literature. So using sound interpretive principles is essential for partnering with the Holy Spirit to ascertain meaning.

One of the underlying principles of hermeneutics is that the Bible does not contain hidden meanings ... what if it does? What if the "fig tree" is not just a fig tree? What if the "virgins" with "oil" in their lamps, and not just virgins with oil in their lamps?

This is true.

If the Lord decides to blind someone, all the hermeneutics in the world will not reveal the truth to them.

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Herman who? :emot-highfive:

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I agree. Simply having a sound methodology does not guarantee that one will arrive at the text's meaning. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the text. But, one should not abandon sound hermeneutical principles just because we are engaged in a spiritual activity. God chose to revel Himself through the agancy of human literature. So using sound interpretive principles is essential for partnering with the Holy Spirit to ascertain meaning.

One of the underlying principles of hermeneutics is that the Bible does not contain hidden meanings ... what if it does? What if the "fig tree" is not just a fig tree? What if the "virgins" with "oil" in their lamps, and not just virgins with oil in their lamps?

Are you speaking of Sensus Plenior? Or are you speaking of figurative language?

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Herman who? :laugh:

That reminds me of an episode of Andy Griffith. When Opie was a little guy, his school had a drive to raise money for poor kids. Opie only gave 1 penny, and this embarrassed Andy. Andy sat Opie down and told him that in Mayberry there were 1.5 poor boys with not enough to eat for every 100. Opie told Andy that he had never seen a half of a boy. Andy told Opie that it was a ratio. Opie responded that he had never met him. Andy asked who. Opie said "Horatio" the .5 boy.

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Herman who? :noidea:

That reminds me of an episode of Andy Griffith. When Opie was a little guy, his school had a drive to raise money for poor kids. Opie only gave 1 penny, and this embarrassed Andy. Andy sat Opie down and told him that in Mayberry there were 1.5 poor boys with not enough to eat for every 100. Opie told Andy that he had never seen a half of a boy. Andy told Opie that it was a ratio. Opie responded that he had never met him. Andy asked who. Opie said "Horatio" the .5 boy.

:whistling:

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Herman who? :noidea:

That reminds me of an episode of Andy Griffith. When Opie was a little guy, his school had a drive to raise money for poor kids. Opie only gave 1 penny, and this embarrassed Andy. Andy sat Opie down and told him that in Mayberry there were 1.5 poor boys with not enough to eat for every 100. Opie told Andy that he had never seen a half of a boy. Andy told Opie that it was a ratio. Opie responded that he had never met him. Andy asked who. Opie said "Horatio" the .5 boy.

You made a funny! :whistling:

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Are you speaking of Sensus Plenior? Or are you speaking of figurative language?

It depends on your POV - many regard the "fig tree" in Mat 24:32 as figurative/metaphoric language for Israel ... others say it is indulging in "sensus plenior" (finding a hidden meaning).

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I agree. Simply having a sound methodology does not guarantee that one will arrive at the text's meaning. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the text. But, one should not abandon sound hermeneutical principles just because we are engaged in a spiritual activity. God chose to revel Himself through the agancy of human literature. So using sound interpretive principles is essential for partnering with the Holy Spirit to ascertain meaning.

One of the underlying principles of hermeneutics is that the Bible does not contain hidden meanings ... what if it does? What if the "fig tree" is not just a fig tree? What if the "virgins" with "oil" in their lamps, and not just virgins with oil in their lamps?

It depends on the context. Obviously parables, Psalms, and other metaphorical passages are not meant to be taken prima facie. That is not to say there is a "hidden meaning," but instead that sometimes the first impression is not the best one.

The whole idea of a "hidden meaning" actually comes from an ancient Jewish interpretation method that was influenced by Platonism (the forerunner to Gnosticism). The Alexandrian rabbi Philo was a huge proponent of the theory. Later Christians, mostly the Alexandrian fathers, adopted this method as well. The problem with this method is that it is inherently Platonic at its core, assuming that the written word is too "physical" or "material" and that there is a deeper form behind it. It degrades God and says that He cannot really use written language to say what He means, but has to hide it in some form of code.

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I agree. Simply having a sound methodology does not guarantee that one will arrive at the text's meaning. Illumination by the Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the text. But, one should not abandon sound hermeneutical principles just because we are engaged in a spiritual activity. God chose to revel Himself through the agancy of human literature. So using sound interpretive principles is essential for partnering with the Holy Spirit to ascertain meaning.

One of the underlying principles of hermeneutics is that the Bible does not contain hidden meanings ... what if it does? What if the "fig tree" is not just a fig tree? What if the "virgins" with "oil" in their lamps, and not just virgins with oil in their lamps?

It depends on the context. Obviously parables, Psalms, and other metaphorical passages are not meant to be taken prima facie. That is not to say there is a "hidden meaning," but instead that sometimes the first impression is not the best one.

The whole idea of a "hidden meaning" actually comes from an ancient Jewish interpretation method that was influenced by Platonism (the forerunner to Gnosticism). The Alexandrian rabbi Philo was a huge proponent of the theory. Later Christians, mostly the Alexandrian fathers, adopted this method as well. The problem with this method is that it is inherently Platonic at its core, assuming that the written word is too "physical" or "material" and that there is a deeper form behind it. It degrades God and says that He cannot really use written language to say what He means, but has to hide it in some form of code.

It does not degrade God, it acknowledges the way in which God has chosen to reveal His Word. By reading The Revelation one becomes very aware of that concept.

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