Hermeneutics II - Chapter 3

The central focus of the whole Bible is Jesus Christ because he is the central figure and the main theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament prophesies his coming and the New Testament reveals his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is portrayed as the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. His teachings and example are emphasized throughout the Bible, making him the central focus of the entire text.

The correct answer is cultural, linguistic, and contextual distance from the original text. This means that many difficulties in understanding the Scriptures stem from the fact that readers are removed from the original cultural, linguistic, and contextual context in which the text was written. This distance can make it challenging to fully grasp the intended meaning and message of the Scriptures.

This statement is false because each passage can have multiple meanings and applications. Different readers may interpret a passage differently based on their own experiences, beliefs, and understanding. Additionally, a passage can be applied to various situations or contexts, depending on how it is interpreted. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that each passage has only one primary meaning and application.

*Please answer according to your textbook.

The Bible is the correct answer because it refers to a collection of religious texts that are considered sacred and authoritative in Christianity. It provides a framework of beliefs and teachings that can be used as a reference point for interpreting a passage. The Bible contains historical accounts, moral teachings, and theological doctrines that can help provide context and understanding to the text being analyzed.

The correct answer is Scripture because Scripture is considered the ultimate authority and source of truth in interpreting the Bible. While the grammatical-historical method and the apostolic believer can provide valuable insights, they are ultimately dependent on Scripture for their interpretation. History can also provide context and background information, but it is not the final authority. Therefore, Scripture is the best interpreter of itself.

Progressive Revelation means that God reveals Truth progressively, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. This concept suggests that God's revelation of truth to humanity has unfolded gradually over time, with each stage building upon the previous one. It implies that the understanding of truth and spiritual knowledge has evolved and expanded throughout history, culminating in the ultimate revelation found in the New Testament. This idea is based on the belief that God's plan for humanity's salvation and understanding of divine truth has been revealed progressively throughout different periods of history.

The statement "The Bible is adapted to the human mind" means that the content and teachings of the Bible are designed to be understandable and relatable to human beings. It suggests that the concepts and messages conveyed in the Bible are accessible and applicable to human thinking and reasoning. This implies that the Bible is written in a way that can be comprehended and interpreted by individuals, making it relevant and meaningful to their lives.

Truth can be perceived and understood in different ways by different individuals, and each person may have their own perspective or interpretation of what is true. These individuals who perceive or interpret the truth can be considered as witnesses to the truth. Therefore, the correct answer is "witnesses."

In interpreting Scripture, it is important to use sound rules of logic. This means applying reasoning and rationality to understand the meaning and message of the text. Logic helps to ensure that our interpretations are coherent, consistent, and logical. By using logical principles, we can avoid fallacies, contradictions, and misunderstandings in our interpretation of Scripture. It allows us to critically analyze the text, make valid deductions, and arrive at a more accurate understanding of its intended meaning. Therefore, logic plays a crucial role in interpreting Scripture effectively.