NBST 610- Exam 1 Essay
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Liberty University *
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610
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Arts Humanities
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Dec 6, 2023
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NBST 610: Exam 1
Essay:
1.
In a minimum of 800 words, answer the following questions: Give a definition of hermeneutics (be sure to include the reasons for proper hermeneutics) and then offer a discussion of the importance of the following components in interpretation--the role of the author of the text, the role of the original readers of the text, or the role of the interpreter. Which aspect is more important in your opinion? What kind of impact does this particular element provide on an attempt to discover the meaning of a text? How important is this component? What role does an understanding of “objective” truth play in interpretation?
Hermeneutics is defined as the task of explaining the message of the Scriptures. As noted by
Klein there are three reasons, we seek proper hermeneutics. First, to discern God's message. A careful system of hermeneutics provides the means for the interpreter to arrive at the text's intention, and more importantly to understand what God intended to communicate through human minds and hands (both illocution and perlocution). Second, to avoid or dispel misconceptions of erroneous perspectives and conclusions about what the
Bible teaches. Correct interpretation undermines erroneous teachings that people use to support aberrant beliefs and behavior. An example of this is withholding medical intervention for children because with the best of motives of the parent, they believe they should trust God for healing. And third, to be able to apply the Bible's message to our lives.
The Bible speaks to us univocally, though it was written to ancients, many of its features remain the same (human existence, the realities of angels, demons, God, Jesus as God's Son, and forgiveness on the basis of Jesus' name). The way hermeneutics is defined rests with the interpretation. Interpretation is not either an art of a science, it is both. Interpretation includes rules, principles, methods, and tactics which decode messages we read, see, and heart. The role of the interpreter in the hermeneutical process means that they bring their own personal circumstances and situations into their view of the text known as preunderstanding and presuppositions. No one should approach biblical interpretations assuming that their current preunderstanding
is sufficient enough to guide them. Similarly, if we seek to understand the Bible strictly through our own experiences, we run the risk of misunderstanding the message. Through the examination of the text, we learn the clues with the authors left for us regarding historical setting, social values and conditions, and specific life circumstance which aid in our interpretation. Likewise, the meaning of the text that we're studying is the meaning the author intended for the readers. This is known as the original "true meaning" if you will without the influence or application on our own personal circumstances. By considering the
preconceptions we carry, this helps us avoid distorting the original meaning of the text and hearing the message portrayed as the original audience would have. I believe that the role of the author is the most important attribute to how we interpret the message in the Bible. It is through the understanding of the historical context of the text that we are able to arrive at the meaning and significance being spoke about.
2.
In a minimum of 800 words, answer the following questions: Give a definition of “canon.” Where does the word come from and what does it mean with relationship to the study of the Bible? Discuss the development of the New Testament and the criteria of canonicity used by the early church. Why did early Christians feel a need to establish an authoritative list of Scripture? What element in the criteria of canonicity is most important in your opinion? Which element is least important in your opinion? Be sure to give reasons why you chose these particular elements. How would you respond to a person who claimed that the canon of the Bible should still be open?
The word "canon" comes from the Greek word "kanon" which means the "rule" or "measuring stick" or the Hebrew word "qaneh" which means "measuring rod". This gives
us the modern definition of canon being a group of literature that is inspired by God. Within Christian context, the canon is the basis of knowledge and authority as inspired by God for Christians.
Within the New Testament, the creation of the canon occurred over numerous centuries and still to this day is being debated over. Before the creation of the canon people learned about Jesus through his personal teachings in an oral manner. From then, came writings from the apostles and additional scribes who recorded the messages. The first list of the canon was created in 2 AD by Marcion of Sinope who was an early Christian theologian who focused on the Gospel of Luke and the Pauline Epistles. However, the canon would experience another change around 400 AD when the Council of Carthage declared the 27 books of the New Testament as the canon. The final process of creating the canon produced what we have now as a record of the teachings of the church, the life and death of Jesus, and his resurrection. The early church decided to establish the list of scriptures in order to ensure the accuracy of the Christian faith, unite the church, provide guidance on Christian living and to protect
against heresy. In my opinion I believe that the inspiration of the word is the most important criteria of the canon. In Klein he teaches that the teachings and preachings conducted are to be divinely inspired and the word of God and not man. I believe this holds
true for the canon as well. The Bible was the inspired word of God which was then written by man, but not the words of men. Likewise, I think the least important criteria is the ranking of the factors of orthodoxy and antiquity. A perfect example of this is the Apocrypha which is not canonical but still widely read. My reasoning for both of these rests
with the truth that the Holy Spirit led authors of the Bible to write the words which God spoke into their hearts and hands. Without this influence, the Bible would not have the same authority or impact that it has today. It would merely be comparable to a textbook or additional work that we read that was written by man. As mentioned before, the canon structure is still being debated today which I would disagree with. Believing that the canon should still be open would pose a few questions. First, is there a need to add more books? Or is there a need to remove some of the books? Regardless of how these two questions are answered there is support to state that the canon
should not be debated any further. In terms of adding books, this seems like the first thing
that would've been determined. When I approach a set of tasks I begin with the most obvious one and work from there. The decision to add more books is likely the same reason books were not added. They either lacked inspiration, orthodoxy or antiquity which the early church determined when deciding the canon.
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