Question:  Dear Greg,

            I often hear ministers use the term “hermeneutics”.  I understand that is about interpretation of scripture.  Can you go more in-depth on what it really is?  Thank you.

            God bless,

            Mike

Answer:  Dear Mike,

            Hermeneutics is the study of the methodological principles of interpreting the Bible.  It is the broad study of Scripture, including literary, grammatical, historical and cultural studies to first determine the intended meaning of the passage by the author to his original audience, and then its application for today.

            The word takes its name from the Greek god Hermes whom the Greeks believed interpreted the will of the gods.  Hermes was the god of language who, according to mythology, invented language as a means of communication between the gods and humans.

            Biblical hermeneutics then refers to the activity of communicating a message from someone (God’s inspired word) to someone (humanity at large, and individuals in particular).

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht