Hermeneutics: Understanding the Word of God

The authors chose a very appropriate English title: “Grasping God’s Word” — (though in Spanish it has been translated as “Understanding God’s Word”). The metaphors offered by the English verb “grasp” are very useful when carefully considering the implications of biblical interpretation.

First, the verb “grasp” can mean “to snatch greedily,” which denotes a violent action. This is not the sense that the authors of this work intend to give to this term! However, it is what many so-called “postmodern” readers think about the process of interpretation. In our disillusioned and unbelieving age, many no longer believe that texts truly have a concrete “meaning.” Interpretation is more like a power struggle in which the reader forcefully imposes their will on the text: this is what it means to me. In the opinion of many contemporary readers, it is not possible for us to transcend our own time and condition to the point of establishing an “objective” meaning. For such postmodern readers, there are no “correct” interpretations.

In “Understanding God’s Word,” the authors emphasize the importance of the small details of biblical texts. And in this sense, they call on the reader to undertake a serious analysis and to be honest about their background and situation. The reader must be willing to have the text question their values and convictions. If not, they will misunderstand the Bible and twist its words to say what they want. This book is about how to avoid this forced way of “hermeneutics.”

What is especially valuable in this regard is the attention the authors give to both “the parts” and “the whole” of the Bible. Why? Because they correctly understand that one can only understand the whole in view of the parts, and the parts in view of the whole. So, to understand the biblical text, we should not rely solely on word studies and supporting verses. Words and verses form sentences and paragraphs which, once joined, in turn serve to build a series of larger structures. Therefore, in this book, you can find chapters dealing with word studies (the parts), and also others explaining how to read the different kinds of “wholes” (e.g., different types of literature) that make up the Bible. In fact, the authors rightly dedicate almost half of the book to the practical challenges of interpreting and applying different types of biblical texts.

But understanding God’s Word in a merely intellectual way is not enough. We must appropriate it in a practical way, use it in our lives. What use should we make of the Scriptures? An important answer is found in its own pages: Scripture is to “teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). We must not only understand it but also cling to it and obey it. In the Scriptures we find the words of eternal life, those words which, once understood by the reader, enable them to grasp by faith Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. Of course, understanding the Scriptures, or clinging to Jesus Christ by faith, are just metaphors. The truth of the matter is that when we grasp the message of God’s love for us, this message—or, rather, God himself—takes hold of us. This is the true purpose of biblical interpretation: to know as we are known.

Pages: 600

Dimensions: 13.9 x 22.8 x 4 cm

ISBN: 9788482675459