Hermeneutics
Basic Rules of Interpretation
The Bible is a treasure box. To open the fullness of the treasure within, Christians must use a certain key—hermeneutics, or the rules of interpretation. The correct interpretation of Scripture is almost as important as the doctrine of verbal inspiration itself.
Interpreting the Bible Accurately
God is capable of accurately relaying His Word to us in a way that we can understand. It is crucial that we interpret properly to determine the intended meaning rather than forcing ideas into the text.
Must We Interpret the Bible Literally?
If Adam was not a literal, historical person who literally rebelled against God by eating a literal fruit, thus bringing in the Curse upon this world, then why did Jesus (a descendant of the literal Adam) come to die on the Cross. It is important to take God at His Word in all areas, particularly in Genesis, which is foundational to the gospel message itself.
Genesis and a Literal Six Days
To interpret Genesis 1–11 in the same way Jesus did, you must treat the passage as historical narrative and follow the standard principles of interpretation. When you do this, it is clear that God created everything in six normal-length days approximately six thousand years ago.
Hermeneutics Topics
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Hebrew Word Study
We all need, and hopefully desire, to get the clearest possible understanding of what the Word of God means.
Articles About Hermeneutics
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Technical Research PaperHow Scholars’ Perceptions of the Semantic Range of יוֹם Have Affected Their Discussions of the Age of the Universe: Part 1March 13, 2019 from Answers Research Journal
There is a considerable disconnection between lexicography regarding יוֹם and the formation of creation theology.
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Dec. 19, 2018 from Answers Research Journal
It is highly improbable that Genesis 1:1 contains a genitive clause, and it is equally improbable that the verse could be rendered with a dependent clause.
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March 7, 2018 from Answers Research Journal
It is here argued that the best interpretation is that Adam and Eve are real, historical persons.
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Feb. 28, 2018 from Answers Research Journal
For nearly a thousand years a small group of proponents have argued for a different translation of Genesis 1:1.
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Feb. 26, 2018 from Answers Update
The denial of the clarity of Genesis undermines the authority of Genesis—which undermines the authority of the entire Bible! The rejection of the clear, authoritative teaching of Genesis about how and when God created has significantly contributed to the moral and spiritual decadence into which America has descended.
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March 1, 2017 from Answers Magazine
We don’t need to abandon our defense of the Scripture to emphasize the resurrection.
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Feb. 14, 2017 from Hebrew Word Study
The love of humans doesn’t last forever. It wavers and sometimes fails. It can’t help us avoid the consequences of death. But the love of God can.
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July 1, 2016 from Answers Magazine
Are translators attempting to push an unbiblical agenda that diminishes the Bible’s emphasis on manhood and gender roles?
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In-Depth ArticleIs Genesis 1 Literal, Literalism, or Literalistic?May 2, 2016 from Answers in Depth
When we read Genesis 1 in its context, it should be understood as a historical account which teaches that God created everything in six 24-hour days.
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Magazine Department ArticleMeaningful WordsSept. 30, 2015 from Answers Magazine
Hermeneutics—“rightly dividing the word of truth”—begins with a careful look at each word to determine its original meaning.
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Sept. 2, 2015 from Answers Magazine
Sometimes we can destroy the meaning of a text by an incomplete study of the context or by imposing our own ideas on it.
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Technical Research PaperThe Lost World of Adam and Eve: A ResponseJuly 29, 2015 from Answers Research Journal
This paper contends that Walton has given a magisterial authority to the ANE mythic texts in order to interpret the Genesis accounts.
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Semi-Technical“For God So Loved . . .”May 22, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
Indeed, the very reason Jesus came into the world was as a result of the great love of Israel’s God, and on a mission to fully express His mercy.
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Semi-TechnicalGod of Love?May 15, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
Is Jesus of the New Testament different from the God of the Old Testament? This study answers the claim that the God of the Old Testament is not a God of love.
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Semi-TechnicalTruth about Origins and FaithMay 1, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
At the core of truth are the concepts of faithfulness and constancy, implying dependableness, reliableness, and integrity.
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Semi-TechnicalHow Does Biblical Truth Apply to the Character of God?April 24, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
Truth is a huge theme in the Bible—He is the “God of truth” (Psalm 31:5), who says, “be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
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April 17, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
It seems that truth has become a somewhat dirty word, or at least a corrupted one. In its place we are left with a whole lot of uncertainty.
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Why Study Hebrew Words?April 10, 2015 from Hebrew Word Study
It is critical to those of us who hold to a literal, historical, contextual and grammatical interpretation of Scripture.
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Magazine Department ArticleShould I Leave My Church Over Creation?Jan. 1, 2015 from Answers Magazine
Is your church is teaching serious error regarding origins?
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Magazine Department ArticleAvoid Raising Little LegalistsJan. 1, 2015 from Answers Magazine
Our fallen nature often leads us astray from true obedience into the ditch of rule-keeping.
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Oct. 1, 2014 from Answers Magazine
Scripture is so hard to understand. How can anyone be sure they understand it correctly?
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Technical Research PaperDefending History: Temporal Reasoning in Genesis 2:7–3:8Aug. 6, 2014 from Answers Research Journal
Creationist studies are replete with discussions of Genesis 1:1–2:3 and 5:28–9:29, but Genesis 2:4–3:24, has remained largely untouched.
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Semi-Technical In-Depth ArticleHave We Misunderstood Genesis 1:1?Sept. 11, 2013 from Answers in Depth
The purpose of this section is to define some of the interpretive schemes that have arisen since the idea of vast ages became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
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Book Chapter7.1 Danger No 1: Denial of Central Biblical TeachingsDec. 6, 2012 from Did God Use Evolution?
The entire Bible bears witness that we are dealing with a source of truth authored by God.
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Feedback ArticleMisunderstandings About YEC and OECNov. 9, 2012 from Feedback
Why does Answers in Genesis say that those of an old earth persuasion have compromised? Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., explains.
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Feedback ArticleGet the Message AcrossAug. 3, 2012 from Feedback
Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., responds to a reader, who believes that the Bible should not be interpreted literally and that we should just focus on the message of salvation.
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Technical Research PaperParallelism in Hebrew Poetry Demonstrates a Major Error in the Hermeneutic of Many Old-Earth CreationistsJuly 25, 2012 from Answers Research Journal
This article will provide a survey of the nature of Hebrew poetry and provide examples of the various forms of parallelism exhibited in the six poetic books of the Bible.
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July 1, 2012 from Answers Magazine
Nobody should minimize the danger of errors, especially when we teach error to others.
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Feedback ArticleThe God of an Old EarthJune 22, 2012 from Feedback
Christians who believe in an old earth must hold to an inconsistent hermeneutic of interpretation. Troy Lacey and Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., explain.
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Semi-Technical Book ChapterBiblical InterpretationJuly 14, 2011 from The Great Turning Point
To assess properly the debate that the scriptural geologists were involved in, one needs also to understand the views of Scripture held by evangelicals and high churchmen.
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Book ChapterThe Theologian in Each of UsMarch 24, 2011 from Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World
My father was never intimidated or impressed by formal qualifications. Nonetheless, he always respected his pastors . . . even those he disagreed with.
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How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 2: Is Genesis 1–11 Historical Narrative?March 1, 2011 from Apologetics Web Series
Tim Chaffey, AiG–US, explains why Genesis should be interpreted as historical narrative.
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How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 1: Principles for Understanding God’s WordFeb. 22, 2011 from Apologetics Web Series
God is capable of accurately relaying His Word to us in a way that we can understand.
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Feedback ArticleA Heavy Burden?March 19, 2010 from Feedback
A ministry worker on a college campus thinks teaching a “literal interpretation” prevents students from accepting the gospel.
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Nov. 15, 2009 from Answers Magazine
Christians must use a certain key—hermeneutics, or the rules of interpretation.
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Semi-Technical In-Depth ArticleLiterary Forms and Biblical InterpretationJune 24, 2009 from Answers in Depth
The key to unlock the Bible is within the reach of everyone and not just a special group of people with expert training.
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Semi-Technical Book ChapterAspects of Information as Found in the BibleMay 28, 2009 from In the Beginning Was Information
God is shown as the source or sender of biblical information.
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Magazine ArticleLooking Back and Moving ForwardOct. 1, 2008 from Answers Magazine
Interpreting Genesis as straightforward history is as old as written records.
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Oct. 1, 2007 from Answers Magazine
From the beginning of history, mankind has been tempted to question God’s Word.
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Magazine ArticleEisegesisJune 1, 2002, pp. 16–19
A deadly virus is sweeping through church members worldwide. I consider this virus to be one of the most dangerous in the world today.
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The World’s Most Dangerous Book?March 2, 2002
Because this is an article in an Answers in Genesis publication, some readers might answer by saying that Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species is the most dangerous book.
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Magazine ArticleTwo Worldviews in ConflictSept. 1, 1998, pp. 26–27
Examines the direct conflict between evolution and the Bible in all these relevant areas. Only one system can be correct.
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Semi-TechnicalProblems in methods of interpretation—Genesis 1-11: Part 2Oct. 1, 1979, pp. 22–26
Is there any explicit teaching within the Bible itself that suggests its details are not to be pressed in matters of the physical creation? When reference is made to the original creation, the creation narrative is treated as fact without any reservation.
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