Hermeneutics: History and Application

Hermeneutics

The Holy Bible has roots in history going back over four thousand years. Authored by over forty different writers throughout the ages with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this holy manuscript has been a lamp unto the feet of both kings and laymen alike. Not only has the Bible been a guide, but it has also been the source of numerous disputes throughout the centuries concerning its proper interpretation as it applies to theology and to individuals. Interpretation of the Bible is called "hermeneutics," and the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this term as, "The study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)." With this knowledge, it is obvious how subjective the results of this practice can be. The contents of the Bible are not to be taken lightly, and in order to have an intensive understanding of its pages, one must interpret the Bible with care. To facilitate a deep appreciation for the text and an understanding of how the Bible applies to daily lives, a brief background of the Scripture's history will be reviewed, and the surrounding hermeneutical aspects will be evaluated.