“What is biblical hermeneutics?”……Answer:Biblical hermeneutics is perhaps summarized best by2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Biblical hermeneutics is the science of properly interpreting the various types of literature found in the Bible. For example, a […]
“What is a proverb in the Bible?”……While many questions can be askedand answeredabout the biblicalbook of Proverbs, ascertaining the exact definition of a proverb, including its form, purpose, and interpretation, is rather difficult! Scholars who have dedicated themselves as paremiologists, or students of proverbs, debate various definitions of what a proverb is. Biblical scholars have […]
How to study the Bible…Before we talk about the methods of studying the Bible, we need to consider our purposes. This is not a theoretical question. It is about checking our motives and shaping our attitudes before we enter into the spectacular and challenging task of hearing the voice of the living God. One can […]
“What is textualism?”……Answer:Textualism is the practice of adhering to the actual text of any document. Much courtroom debate centers around textualism as lawyers, judges, and juries must give heed to what the law actually says. Textualism is especially appropriate inbiblical hermeneutics. As conservative Bible scholars are fond of saying, "When the plain sense makes common […]
“What is synonymous parallelism in Hebrew poetry?”……Synonymous parallelism is a poetic literary device which involves the repetition of one idea in successive lines. The first half of a verse will make a statement, and the second half will essentially say the same thing in different words. The statements are "parallel" in that they are juxtaposed, […]
“What is the biblical doctrine of illumination?”……Simply put, illumination in the spiritual sense is "turning on the light" of understanding in some area. Throughout the ages, people in every culture and religion have claimed some kind of revelation or enlightenment from God (whether true or not). When that enlightenment deals with new knowledge or future […]
“What is Soteriology?”……Soteriology is the study of the doctrine of salvation. Soteriology discusses how Christ’s death secures the salvation of those who believe. It helps us to understand the doctrines of redemption, justification, sanctification, propitiation, and the substitutionary atonement. Some common questions in studying Soteriology are:……Once saved always saved?Perhaps the most heart-wrenching fear some believers […]