Deep Dive into Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr. - Introduction

Biblical interpretation, or hermeneutics, is defined as the execution of correct scriptural understanding. The ultimate goal of this discipline is twofold: practically, to help Christians become "biblical Christians" who learn God's Word and humbly and obediently put it into practice, demonstrating faithfulness to the revelation. This work is essential for spiritual growth, for the church's theology, and for ministry, teaching, and worship.

Hermeneutics is necessary because the Bible is a voluminous and complex document that cannot be reduced to a mere list of principles, practices, or beliefs. God, in His wisdom, provided the Scriptures in a complex literary form—full of alien genealogies, prophecies, and eccentric Epistles—demanding that interpreters come to terms with the text as it is.

The discipline must address foundational, competing questions about meaning that carry enormous implications, determining whether interpretation should focus on the meaning the authors intended, the meaning inherent in the texts themselves, or the meaning produced when text and modern interpreter interact. Furthermore, interpreters must resolve whether a text holds only one possible meaning or different levels of meaning, possibly including meanings placed there by the Holy Spirit.

A key modern challenge lies in bridging the significant cultural and temporal distance, as the biblical message moves across centuries and cultures. This makes application difficult, leading to puzzles regarding specific commands. For example, Christians must determine on what basis they can disregard ancient dietary prohibitions (pork and shrimp), decide whether specific social practices (head coverings) still apply, or determine whether rituals like foot washing should be performed alongside the Lord's Supper.

To achieve the greatest precision and accuracy, the interpreter must approach the text with careful and valid principles, understanding that they are not "blank slates." Who the interpreter is—their "pre-understanding," or what they bring with them to the task—contributes greatly to the enterprise. This requires adopting methodologies appropriate for the specific genres found in Scripture, such as Law, Gospels, Epistles, and Prophecy, while also assessing newer methods like deconstruction and feminist hermeneutics.

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