Open AccessLESSONS FROM THE REFORMATION FOR HERMENEUTICS TODAY
Author(s) -
Hendrik van den Belt
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
unio cum christo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2473-8476
pISSN - 2380-5412
DOI - 10.35285/ucc4.2.2018.art6
Subject(s) - hermeneutics , philosophy , epistemology , context (archaeology) , theology , sociology , history , archaeology
Recent views of the hermeneutical process, including philosophical speech-act theories, challenge Scripture’s authority and emphasize the author’s intention rather than a historical-grammatical view. Relating theological issues to philosophical views is legitimate, provided that the results do not contradict the spiritual authority of Scripture. The following hermeneutical principles of the Reformation can help maintain this adherence: 1) Scripture is the first principle and ultimate norm for all theology; 2) Scripture is the living and powerful Word of God; 3) the sovereign Spirit binds himself to the Word; and 4) the Spirit-breathed Word begs for a spiritual and clear explanation. In the (post)modern context, we need to approach hermeneutics from pneumatology and test it by God’s Word.