Dungan - Hermeneutics

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D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter II. [Table of Contents] [Previous] [Next] D. R. Dungan Hermeneutics: A Text-Book (1888) CHAPTER II. THE THINGS WHICH HELP US TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD. SEC. 6. THE NEED OF UNDERSTANDING THESE THINGS.--If we know not the things that will help us, we shall not be likely to invoke their aid. No man searches for that of which he has no knowledge. If there are helps, let us know what they are, and how they may be obtained; and then we will strive for that ability which will enable us to what the will of the Lord is. SEC. 7. GOOD COMMON SENSE IS THE FIRST REQUISITE.--This is so self-evident that to present it further would be to waste time. (1.) This is a natural qualification, but it may be greatly increased.--Some one has said that if a man lack knowledge he can get it of his fellow-man; that if he lack religion, he can have it by going to God and asking for it; but if he lack common sense, he has nowhere to go. But this remark has in it more of wit than of truth. We are not all equally endowed, but almost every one has a talent, and if that be not hid in a napkin and buried in the earth, but properly employed, it will increase; if it shall only be put on interest, it will gain something. Common sense has its root-idea in the ability to discover harmony in the things which agree; and, conversely, to perceive unlikeness in opposites. To a [12] man devoid of common sense there would be no difference between Mohammedanism and the religion of Christ; between the law of Moses and the gospel of Christ; between Catholicism and any form of Protestantism. Equally hidden from him would be the truths in all these systems, for he would not be able to distinguish truth from error. It does not seem to be known that a man may be ostensibly learned in the abstract, and know but little of anything in the concrete. And yet it is true that he may give himself so entirely to the study of attenuated philosophy that he will almost cease to have any proper understanding of the events of life, and be quite incompetent to decide between one thing and another. If it be true that one may injure his mind by employing it only on subjects that are abstruse, it is just as true that the mind may be strengthened and benefited by proper use upon themes and duties that concern every-day life. (2.) The use of this gift in the interpretation of the Scriptures.--If we were speaking of the http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ddungan/hatb/HATB02.HTM (1 of 13) [30/08/2003 11:32:01 p.m.]
D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter II. interpretation of law or the study of medicine, no one would call in question our position for a moment. To understand the propositions of any branch of science, all are agreed as to the absolute necessity of common sense. But there lurks in the popular heart the suspicion that, after all the less of real knowledge, and the more of the dreamy speculative qualities of mind are possessed, the more likely will the interpreter arrive at the meaning of the Bible. They forget that God gave this book to the common people, that He has filled it with the experiences of men, and that its writers have spoken to us not only of the things that constantly surround us, but [13] in the language which a plain people can the most easily understand. It is a book to accompany us through all the walks of life-to constantly show us the dangers on the one hand, and the way of safety on the other. In this book we are constantly dealing with those things that are in antithesis; in which are the deceptive tricks of the enemy of the race, put over against the truth of God; in which the way of truth is made plain by its contrast with the works of darkness. Hence the more the student will study plain questions, and the more he may know men as they are, the more likely will he be able to understand the word of God. SEC. 8. FAITH IN THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES, WILL HELP THE STUDENT TO UNDERSTAND THEM. (l.) It is not meant to say that unbelievers can not know anything of the claims of the word of God. They may know many things respecting the Bible. The Jews who did not believe in the divinity of Christ understood many things respecting the claims which he made. Indeed, if an infidel could not know such things, he would not be responsible. The ability which unbelievers possess to investigate these subjects, is the measure of their responsibility before God. (2.) And yet the condition of their mind is unfavorable to any thorough investigation, or any proper estimate of the claims which are made. To receive a letter from Jay Gould, and yet believe it to be from some one else, who had sent it out of mere sport, would not likely benefit the receiver. If he should read it, curiosity would have to incite to the effort; and as soon as the reader would be sufficiently amused, he would lay the epistle aside, with but little, if any, further thought. [14] The communication might be one of very great importance, and yet in a few hours he would know but little, if anything, of its contents. So it is with the Bible. The unbeliever reads it out of mere curiosity, or that he may find some fault with it, and the probability is that all he will be able to find in the volume will be a few things that, to him, are curious, or unreasonable. He remembers here and there a text from which he can make an adverse criticism, but as to making any thorough investigation into the teaching of that book, such an idea does not enter his mind. He is not in sympathy with its and in no way is he prepared to understand it. (3.) Faith, in the inspiration of the book will prompt the most patient and thorough investigation.-- Not only so, but the thought that it contains a divine message for him, will help to a clearer view of its contents than could otherwise be had. SEC. 9. MENTAL INDUSTRY IS ESSENTIAL TO ANY PROPER INVESTIGATION.--Mary, who sat at the feet of the Master, and attended diligently to His teaching, may have been as industrious as her sister, but her industry was of a different kind. She employed the head and heart more in the acquisition of truth. http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ddungan/hatb/HATB02.HTM (2 of 13) [30/08/2003 11:32:01 p.m.]
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