from term papers to tall pulpits
Since most in this community of bloggers are juggling roles as students and pastors I feel that it would be helpful to bring up this topic. How, in our local churches, do we convince (strong word, I know) people that such disciplines as hermeneutics are of value? Do we assume too much when we think it already is? How do we create a atmosphere which regularly engages in well-thought out discussion of scripture? I think the answer is more than just "teach a small group by reading your principles of interpretation notes" because all that would do is transfer information. I want to know how we get people to care about thinking for themselves, once that is done we'll teach them how. Please tell me this is possible and that we are not chained to teach series proclaiming "3.5 weeks of purpose" and "7 trendy ways to fancy up your guest room before summer".
posted by EricEpp @ 5:24 PM
4 Comments:
Epp,
Very good question. I wonder this myself, and I have been considering teaching/preaching hermeneutics this summer at church. I don't think that going over principles of interpretation notes is a bad thing, nor is it simply transfering information. This is exactly what Mark Moore did in principles. Far from just transfering information, these notes taught me HOW to think for myself and gave me a desire to study the Bible well. I think this could be done well at church. I understand a church is not a Bible college, but I think one of the reason we have so many ignorant freshmen (I was one of them and still am in many ways) is becasue the church does not teach this stuff. You can go on Sunnybrook's web site (where Jim Johnson preaches ) and download a series he went on principles of interp on Wendsday nights. I think it was great and it sounded as though the church was learning to think for themselves.
This should also begin in the normal preaching as well I think. Tyler and Dan just preached throught the minor prophets, and I just preached through the semon on the mount. Woe be it to Tyler and Dan if they taught the Dedrick that all the promises God made to Israel apply in the same way to an individual christian today. They could begin their series talking about genre and such. I was able to talk about the parallel passages in luke in the sermon on the mount. I brought in historical background in regards to "a city on a hill cannot be hidden." Word studies were used when talking about prayer. In Chapter 7 i talked a bunch about lit con and reading one section in light of what else has been said. I have found that they dig this stuff. It makes them realize how rich the text is. It certainly makes things more interesting when i know the sermon is poorly written! They haven't gone out yet to buy lexicons or the IVP Bible Background Commentary, but I hope they are thinking about what they read. I don't know. I'm not sure how helpful this is. Any thoughts?
Andy-
I think you have some great thoughts on this issue. I remember Michael did a "interpretation" series at Dederick in Sunday school and a lot of people liked (not every one). For some people it really did help and for others I think they thought, "What is this kid talking about?" I also think what you're saying about modeling good hermeneutics in our preaching and teaching is huge. I remember in Expos with Jeff Snell (who is probably one of the best models of good hermeneutics in preaching and teaching that I have ever heard) talking about the importance of good herm in sermon prep, but also letting it show in the actual sermon. This is especially true in light of more difficult texts or books like Revelation or OT prophecy etc. While I certainly think it is helpful to teach critical thinking and good hermeneutical theory we should also not limit our role as authoritative voices in behalf of God. I believe that part of my role in the kingdom is to study my but off to help people understand the Bible and faithfully become God's Word in the Church. We do have some authority, not all the authority, but our devotion to prayer and to the Bible and being transformed into the Word is what our role as preachers and teachers is about.
In the learning process I continually return to the importance of learning to ask the right questions. I think that this process is a continuous task on behalf of both the teacher and the student. The reality is some people will never be good at critical hermeneutics but this does not mean that they cannot understand God’s Word, they must however rely on the church to mediate the meaning. This doesn’t mean that people have to all think for themselves, it does mean that the Church teaches proclaims and lives the Word. I’m rambling, good thoughts Andy, good Question Epp. I too struggle with this.
Teach Hemenuetics in Church?! Do you realize the added pressure a preachers would go through with a congregation full of qualified interpreters? Plus, the economy would plummit due to the Christian world's new found dissatisfaction with Christian Book Stores.
For real, I think anyone in our church dedicated to the word is thristing for this stuff. Last year, I made an early morning Sunday School class just for interpretation. Only 4 kids showed up every week but they loved it.
I feel Rob Bell does a good job implententing Herm. in his church just through conveying the information in a captivating way. I agree with Andy, bringing out the richness of the scripture is contagious to your congregation.
I can't help but participate in this important conversation. It has been my attempt throughout ministry (preaching and college) to draw attention to the need for sound biblical exegesis two ways: overtly and convertly. Let me explain. There are times that call for overt tactics (i.e. lessons on hermeneutics, "in the original text," sitz em leben, etc). When to employ this depends upon the audience, the occasion, and the objectives. No question, there is place for overt hermeneutical teaching. But more often we will use covert tactics. Our sensitivety to the AIM and AIP (Authors Intended Purpose) will happen in casual, discreet and not so obvious moments. It is a matter of being a person who cares about the text, who in every way is attempting to "let the text win" in an incarnational kind of way. And, as we live this out in our preaching, teaching and relationship people will catch it over time. At least, that's my hope. And over time they will begin to pick up on it and will begin asking questions and will begin following your example. And hopefully, hopefully... by letting the text win over the course of a person's ministry, they'll not even remember me as a great preacher or teacher, but as one who simply pointed them to the word and the Word. More could be said.
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