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
longman@westmont.edu
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
Exam
Reading Reports
45%
45%
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
Archeology
Source criticism
Form criticism
Tradition criticism
Folklore criticism
Redaction criticism
Canonical criticism
Rhetorical criticism
Structural criticism
Narrative criticism
Psychological criticism
Anthropological criticism
Sociological criticism
Social-scientific criticism
Liberation criticism
Feminist criticism
Postmodern criticism
Krentz, Miller
Lance
Habel
Tucker; McKnight
Rast
Niditch
Perrin
Sanders; Gamble
Trible; Mack, Petersen, Beardslee
Patte
Powell
Kille
Overholt
Wilson
Elliott
Ceresko, Gottwald-Horsley, West, Sugirtharajah, RowlandCorner
Exum; Koontz-Swartley; Schussler-Fiorenza; Ruether,
Newsome-Ringo
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.
2.
3.
4.
Confirm the Limits of a Text
Study in Context
Read Closely
Determine the Genre
5.
6.
7.
8.
Literary Analysis
Historical Context
Biblical Theology
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?