Dungan - Hermeneutics
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D. R. <strong>Dungan</strong>'s <strong>Hermeneutics</strong>: A Text-Book: Chapter I.<br />
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D. R. <strong>Dungan</strong><br />
<strong>Hermeneutics</strong>: A Text-Book (1888)<br />
HERMENEUTICS.<br />
CHAPTER I.<br />
INTRODUCTION.<br />
SEC. 1. OUR SUBJECT DEFINED.--<strong>Hermeneutics</strong> is the science of interpretation. It is derived from the<br />
Greek Hermes, the messenger of the gods and the interpreter of Jupiter. Every Hermeneus was,<br />
therefore, an interpreter, as he was supposed to inherit some of the mystic qualities of this god of<br />
philology, this patron of eloquence. Sacred hermeneutics is the science of interpreting the Scriptures.<br />
Exegesis (from ex, out, and egeisthas, to guide or lead), means to lead out. It is the application of the<br />
principles of hermeneutics in bringing out the meaning of any writing which might otherwise be difficult<br />
to understand.<br />
SEC. 2. GOD EXPECTS US TO USE HIS BOOK IN BECOMING ACQUAINTED WITH HIS CHARACTER,<br />
AND IN GAINING A KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL.<br />
(1.) The Bible to be used as other books.--An interpreter implies a misunderstanding, between two<br />
parties, or, at least, a liability to such a misunderstanding. And it is at once objected that if the Bible is of<br />
God, it should be so plain that no one could misunderstand it; that, if God could give us such a book, and<br />
would not, He was certainly to blame. But if He would, but could not, He is not [1] perfect in wisdom or<br />
ability to execute. This logic is not good. We might as well say that if God is the Author of Nature, its<br />
meaning should be so apparent that all would perfectly understand it, and therefore, understand it alike.<br />
And yet we know that our scientists are quite disagreed about many things in nature, and that the great<br />
masses of men are in ignorance, almost from first to last, respecting the whole question. God has,<br />
therefore, made it necessary to study nature in order to get its lessons. Geology, astronomy, physiology,<br />
etc., etc., are known only to those who study them. It is reasonable, therefore, that He should make it<br />
necessary to study His word.<br />
(2.) The weakness is with, man.--Man is fallible, and his judgment is very imperfect. Nothing has<br />
ever been written which has been understood by all alike. (a) Our laws are made by, our wisest and most<br />
careful men; they are made with special reference to the people for whom they are intended, so that no<br />
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