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Principles of Biblical Interpre - Louis Berkhof
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Principles of Biblical Interpre - Louis Berkhof — Unknown.
Author: Unknown
- 80 chapters
- 150 PDF pages
- 51,763 words
- ≈ 398 min read
- English
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1Bible as the infallible Word of God. They regarded even the letters as
pp. 10–10 · ≈ 2 min2more or less by the philosophy of Alexandria. They adopted the
pp. 11–11 · ≈ 3 min3of Judaism," was founded by Anan ben David about 800 A.D. With a
pp. 12–12 · ≈ 2 min4century was of a far different nature. It really represents the reductio
pp. 12–12 · ≈ 2 min5a more healthy method of interpretation developed among the Jews
pp. 13–13 · ≈ 2 min6Century A.D., biblical interpretation was influenced especially by the
pp. 14–14 · ≈ 2 min7founded by Dorotheus and Lucius towards the end of the third
pp. 15–15 · ≈ 3 min8exegesis made its appearance in the West. It harbored some
pp. 16–17 · ≈ 5 min9INTERLINEARIS of Anselm of Laon. These were compilations of
pp. 18–18 · ≈ 3 min10Procopius of Gaza in the East, and those of Thomas of Aquinas in the
pp. 19–19 · ≈ 3 min11mainly a compilation of expositions, selected from the writings of
pp. 19–20 · ≈ 5 min12translating the Bible into the German vernacular. He also engaged in
pp. 21–21 · ≈ 2 min13learning. His great talents and his extensive knowledge, also of Greek
pp. 21–21 · ≈ 2 min14Reformation. His expositions cover nearly all the books of the Bible,
pp. 22–22 · ≈ 3 min15during the period of the Reformation. They did not admit the right of
pp. 22–23 · ≈ 5 min16principle, but in all their exposition proceeded on the assumption
pp. 24–24 · ≈ 3 min17with the current method of interpretation. He felt that they who
pp. 24–24 · ≈ 3 min18bent on promoting true piety of life. On the whole, they represented a
pp. 25–26 · ≈ 5 min19Ernesti, who wrote an important work on the interpretation of the
pp. 27–27 · ≈ 2 min20Semler. The son of pietistic parents, he became, more or less in spite
pp. 28–28 · ≈ 3 min21opposite schools, it soon revealed three distinct tendencies in the
pp. 28–33 · ≈ 14 min22interpreters are decidedly opposed to any such conception of divine
pp. 34–38 · ≈ 15 min23SCRIPTURAL AUTHORSHIP. From the preceding, it is quite clear
pp. 39–40 · ≈ 5 min24INSPIRATION. Many objections have been raised against the
pp. 41–44 · ≈ 10 min25ORGANIC UNITY. The word "organic" should be stressed. This unity
pp. 45–45 · ≈ 3 min26REVEALS THE GREATEST DIVERSITY. There are several
pp. 46–48 · ≈ 8 min27Scripture, no matter how many significations the separate words
pp. 49–49 · ≈ 2 min28PRINCIPLE. But while we should constantly bear in mind the great
pp. 50–51 · ≈ 5 min29believing and unbelieving scholars often commented on the
pp. 52–52 · ≈ 2 min30generally very vivid in their representations: and the authors of the
pp. 53–53 · ≈ 3 min31its explanation partly in the inability to describe spiritual and
pp. 54–54 · ≈ 3 min32AND A PART OF ITS PROSE. Bishop Lowth was the first to use the
pp. 54–54 · ≈ 3 min33LANGUAGE. Finally, the language of the New Testament has certain
pp. 55–57 · ≈ 8 min34of the words deserves attention first, not as being the most important
pp. 58–58 · ≈ 2 min35of a word is of far more importance for the interpreter than its
pp. 59–60 · ≈ 6 min36both antonyms and synonyms. Synonymous words are those that
pp. 61–64 · ≈ 11 min37CONNECTION IN WHICH IT OCCURS. This may seem so evident as
pp. 65–65 · ≈ 3 min38a. Sometimes a word is used in its most general sense, so as to
pp. 66–66 · ≈ 3 min39SAME MEANING THROUGHOUT. Ordinarily an author will not use
pp. 67–67 · ≈ 3 min40THE MOST EFFICIENT HELPS. No one knows better than the
pp. 68–68 · ≈ 3 min41MUTUALLY EXPLAIN EACH OTHER. In Matt. 5:13, where we read:
pp. 68–68 · ≈ 3 min42OF A WORD. This applies especially to synonymous and antithetical
pp. 69–69 · ≈ 3 min43HELP. These are divided into two classes, viz., verbal and real.
pp. 69–71 · ≈ 9 min44connection we are not concerned with figures of syntax or figures of
pp. 72–73 · ≈ 6 min45FIGURATIVE OR LITERAL SENSE IS INTENDED. It is of the
pp. 74–74 · ≈ 3 min46LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE. Now the question arises as to the
pp. 75–76 · ≈ 6 min47language has certain characteristic expression, called idioms. The
pp. 77–80 · ≈ 11 min48the several words in a sentence," says Winer, "is in general
pp. 81–81 · ≈ 2 min49PREPOSITIONS. The expositor must take particular notice of certain
pp. 82–83 · ≈ 6 min50AND SENTENCES. It is absolutely necessary that the interpreter
pp. 84–86 · ≈ 8 min51sufficient that the interpreter fixes his attention on the separate
pp. 87–90 · ≈ 11 min52object he had in view in writing the particular portion of his work
pp. 91–92 · ≈ 6 min53notice of the preceding and following, the near and remote
pp. 93–95 · ≈ 8 min54THE THOUGHT. In employing it, the expositor must guard against
pp. 96–96 · ≈ 3 min55grammatical (including the logical) interpretation of Scripture,
pp. 97–98 · ≈ 4 min56appended respecting the proper use of commentaries.
pp. 99–100 · ≈ 4 min57a. The Word of God originated in a historical way, and therefore, can
pp. 101–101 · ≈ 3 min58historical interpretation makes the following demands on the
pp. 102–102 · ≈ 2 min59it is natural to ask first of all: Who was its author? Some of the books
pp. 103–105 · ≈ 9 min60this heading is, "Who is the speaker?" The Biblical authors often
pp. 106–106 · ≈ 3 min61circumstances in general often influence the thought, the language,
pp. 107–107 · ≈ 3 min62people also leaves a profound impression upon its national literature.
pp. 108–108 · ≈ 3 min63always move on the same plane, was not always characterized by true
pp. 109–110 · ≈ 6 min64understanding of a writing or discourse, it is of the utmost
pp. 111–111 · ≈ 3 min65books naturally had some purpose in mind in their production; and
pp. 112–112 · ≈ 3 min66FRAME OF MIND, in which the author wrote his work, are
pp. 113–113 · ≈ 3 min67interpretation of Scripture are found in the Bible itself. In distinction
pp. 114–114 · ≈ 3 min68Scripture and still needs further information, he should turn to the
pp. 115–118 · ≈ 11 min69view of the present-day tendency to emphasize the diversity of the
pp. 119–122 · ≈ 11 min70a. General Considerations. The Word of God is an organic
pp. 123–124 · ≈ 6 min71says that the interpreter, in his attempt to discover the mystical
pp. 125–125 · ≈ 2 min72Bible is not limited to any one book of the Bible, nor to any one of the
pp. 126–126 · ≈ 3 min73facts or events may serve as symbols of spiritual truth. A symbol
pp. 127–127 · ≈ 3 min74offered up his only son on Mount Moriah, he performed a typical
pp. 128–132 · ≈ 14 min75the most important peculiarities, which the interpreter should bear
pp. 133–135 · ≈ 8 min76respecting the character of prophecy, we add a few rules for its
pp. 136–137 · ≈ 5 min77utterance to his deepest experiences and emotions of joy and sorrow,
pp. 138–138 · ≈ 3 min78foregoing, the following rules apply in the interpretation of the
pp. 139–142 · ≈ 11 min79says Terry, "are those similar passages in which the likeness or
pp. 143–145 · ≈ 8 min80"Analogy of Faith" is derived from Rom. 12:6, where we read:
pp. 146–150 · ≈ 10 min
pp. 10–10 · ≈ 2 min2more or less by the philosophy of Alexandria. They adopted the
pp. 11–11 · ≈ 3 min3of Judaism," was founded by Anan ben David about 800 A.D. With a
pp. 12–12 · ≈ 2 min4century was of a far different nature. It really represents the reductio
pp. 12–12 · ≈ 2 min5a more healthy method of interpretation developed among the Jews
pp. 13–13 · ≈ 2 min6Century A.D., biblical interpretation was influenced especially by the
pp. 14–14 · ≈ 2 min7founded by Dorotheus and Lucius towards the end of the third
pp. 15–15 · ≈ 3 min8exegesis made its appearance in the West. It harbored some
pp. 16–17 · ≈ 5 min9INTERLINEARIS of Anselm of Laon. These were compilations of
pp. 18–18 · ≈ 3 min10Procopius of Gaza in the East, and those of Thomas of Aquinas in the
pp. 19–19 · ≈ 3 min11mainly a compilation of expositions, selected from the writings of
pp. 19–20 · ≈ 5 min12translating the Bible into the German vernacular. He also engaged in
pp. 21–21 · ≈ 2 min13learning. His great talents and his extensive knowledge, also of Greek
pp. 21–21 · ≈ 2 min14Reformation. His expositions cover nearly all the books of the Bible,
pp. 22–22 · ≈ 3 min15during the period of the Reformation. They did not admit the right of
pp. 22–23 · ≈ 5 min16principle, but in all their exposition proceeded on the assumption
pp. 24–24 · ≈ 3 min17with the current method of interpretation. He felt that they who
pp. 24–24 · ≈ 3 min18bent on promoting true piety of life. On the whole, they represented a
pp. 25–26 · ≈ 5 min19Ernesti, who wrote an important work on the interpretation of the
pp. 27–27 · ≈ 2 min20Semler. The son of pietistic parents, he became, more or less in spite
pp. 28–28 · ≈ 3 min21opposite schools, it soon revealed three distinct tendencies in the
pp. 28–33 · ≈ 14 min22interpreters are decidedly opposed to any such conception of divine
pp. 34–38 · ≈ 15 min23SCRIPTURAL AUTHORSHIP. From the preceding, it is quite clear
pp. 39–40 · ≈ 5 min24INSPIRATION. Many objections have been raised against the
pp. 41–44 · ≈ 10 min25ORGANIC UNITY. The word "organic" should be stressed. This unity
pp. 45–45 · ≈ 3 min26REVEALS THE GREATEST DIVERSITY. There are several
pp. 46–48 · ≈ 8 min27Scripture, no matter how many significations the separate words
pp. 49–49 · ≈ 2 min28PRINCIPLE. But while we should constantly bear in mind the great
pp. 50–51 · ≈ 5 min29believing and unbelieving scholars often commented on the
pp. 52–52 · ≈ 2 min30generally very vivid in their representations: and the authors of the
pp. 53–53 · ≈ 3 min31its explanation partly in the inability to describe spiritual and
pp. 54–54 · ≈ 3 min32AND A PART OF ITS PROSE. Bishop Lowth was the first to use the
pp. 54–54 · ≈ 3 min33LANGUAGE. Finally, the language of the New Testament has certain
pp. 55–57 · ≈ 8 min34of the words deserves attention first, not as being the most important
pp. 58–58 · ≈ 2 min35of a word is of far more importance for the interpreter than its
pp. 59–60 · ≈ 6 min36both antonyms and synonyms. Synonymous words are those that
pp. 61–64 · ≈ 11 min37CONNECTION IN WHICH IT OCCURS. This may seem so evident as
pp. 65–65 · ≈ 3 min38a. Sometimes a word is used in its most general sense, so as to
pp. 66–66 · ≈ 3 min39SAME MEANING THROUGHOUT. Ordinarily an author will not use
pp. 67–67 · ≈ 3 min40THE MOST EFFICIENT HELPS. No one knows better than the
pp. 68–68 · ≈ 3 min41MUTUALLY EXPLAIN EACH OTHER. In Matt. 5:13, where we read:
pp. 68–68 · ≈ 3 min42OF A WORD. This applies especially to synonymous and antithetical
pp. 69–69 · ≈ 3 min43HELP. These are divided into two classes, viz., verbal and real.
pp. 69–71 · ≈ 9 min44connection we are not concerned with figures of syntax or figures of
pp. 72–73 · ≈ 6 min45FIGURATIVE OR LITERAL SENSE IS INTENDED. It is of the
pp. 74–74 · ≈ 3 min46LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE. Now the question arises as to the
pp. 75–76 · ≈ 6 min47language has certain characteristic expression, called idioms. The
pp. 77–80 · ≈ 11 min48the several words in a sentence," says Winer, "is in general
pp. 81–81 · ≈ 2 min49PREPOSITIONS. The expositor must take particular notice of certain
pp. 82–83 · ≈ 6 min50AND SENTENCES. It is absolutely necessary that the interpreter
pp. 84–86 · ≈ 8 min51sufficient that the interpreter fixes his attention on the separate
pp. 87–90 · ≈ 11 min52object he had in view in writing the particular portion of his work
pp. 91–92 · ≈ 6 min53notice of the preceding and following, the near and remote
pp. 93–95 · ≈ 8 min54THE THOUGHT. In employing it, the expositor must guard against
pp. 96–96 · ≈ 3 min55grammatical (including the logical) interpretation of Scripture,
pp. 97–98 · ≈ 4 min56appended respecting the proper use of commentaries.
pp. 99–100 · ≈ 4 min57a. The Word of God originated in a historical way, and therefore, can
pp. 101–101 · ≈ 3 min58historical interpretation makes the following demands on the
pp. 102–102 · ≈ 2 min59it is natural to ask first of all: Who was its author? Some of the books
pp. 103–105 · ≈ 9 min60this heading is, "Who is the speaker?" The Biblical authors often
pp. 106–106 · ≈ 3 min61circumstances in general often influence the thought, the language,
pp. 107–107 · ≈ 3 min62people also leaves a profound impression upon its national literature.
pp. 108–108 · ≈ 3 min63always move on the same plane, was not always characterized by true
pp. 109–110 · ≈ 6 min64understanding of a writing or discourse, it is of the utmost
pp. 111–111 · ≈ 3 min65books naturally had some purpose in mind in their production; and
pp. 112–112 · ≈ 3 min66FRAME OF MIND, in which the author wrote his work, are
pp. 113–113 · ≈ 3 min67interpretation of Scripture are found in the Bible itself. In distinction
pp. 114–114 · ≈ 3 min68Scripture and still needs further information, he should turn to the
pp. 115–118 · ≈ 11 min69view of the present-day tendency to emphasize the diversity of the
pp. 119–122 · ≈ 11 min70a. General Considerations. The Word of God is an organic
pp. 123–124 · ≈ 6 min71says that the interpreter, in his attempt to discover the mystical
pp. 125–125 · ≈ 2 min72Bible is not limited to any one book of the Bible, nor to any one of the
pp. 126–126 · ≈ 3 min73facts or events may serve as symbols of spiritual truth. A symbol
pp. 127–127 · ≈ 3 min74offered up his only son on Mount Moriah, he performed a typical
pp. 128–132 · ≈ 14 min75the most important peculiarities, which the interpreter should bear
pp. 133–135 · ≈ 8 min76respecting the character of prophecy, we add a few rules for its
pp. 136–137 · ≈ 5 min77utterance to his deepest experiences and emotions of joy and sorrow,
pp. 138–138 · ≈ 3 min78foregoing, the following rules apply in the interpretation of the
pp. 139–142 · ≈ 11 min79says Terry, "are those similar passages in which the likeness or
pp. 143–145 · ≈ 8 min80"Analogy of Faith" is derived from Rom. 12:6, where we read:
pp. 146–150 · ≈ 10 min
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