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.
Articles About Hermeneutics
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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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Sept. 23, 2013 from Answers Magazine
What’s the worst sin you could possibly commit?
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Semi-Technical Research PaperHave 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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Magazine ArticleMeaningful WordsFeb. 26, 2013 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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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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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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June 6, 2012 from Answers Magazine
Nobody should minimize the danger of errors, especially when we teach error to others.
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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. Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., shows why this is not the case.
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Magazine ArticleUnlocking the Truth of ScriptureNov. 15, 2009 from Answers Magazine
Christians must use a certain key—hermeneutics, or the rules of interpretation.
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Semi-Technical Research PaperLiterary 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 ForwardAug. 25, 2008 from Answers Magazine
Interpreting Genesis as straightforward history is as old as written records.
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Magazine ArticleEisegesisJune 1, 2002, pp. 16–19
A deadly virus is sweeping through church members worldwide. Investigators have found that the reason this virus is fairly specific to church attendees is that it has found safe harbour
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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, p. 26
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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Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.
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