Hermeneutics

Introduction

Hermeneutics is derived from a Greek word Hermeneien”. It is a word derived from Hermes, the Greek god known as the messenger of the gods. This Greek god is thus, saddled with the task of transmitting and interpreting the communications of the gods to their fortunate and/or unfortunate recipients. In classical literature, the verb hermeneus is used to mean to explain or to translate. It often appears in contexts which stresses the responsibility of human beings to interpret rightly the ancient writings thought to contain messages from the gods.

The Encarta Premium Dictionary defines hermeneutics as the science and methodology of interpreting texts, especially the books of the Bible.

Definition: Hermeneutics is defined as the science and art of biblical interpretation. It is a science because there are laws that guide it. It is an art because the laws must be skillfully applied. At the heart of a literal hermeneutic is a desire to know the authors original intended meaning. The scriptures are the absolute and objective standard for validating teaching (John 7:17; Acts 17: 11). There must therefore be an absolute and objective method for interpreting and understanding the Bible.