Dungan - Hermeneutics

D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter II.
The disciples, who did not always understand the parables of the Saviour, went to him afterwards and
inquired about the meaning. It was their investigating spirit that made it possible for them to learn the
deep things which the Master came to give them. Without this it would have been impossible for them to
have graduated in His school. The Bereans are praised for this disposition of mind. "Now these were
more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things [15] were so. Many of them therefore believed; also
of the Greek women of honorable estate, anal of men, not a few" (Acts xvii. 11, 12).
There is no essential difference between the study of the Scriptures and the study of any other
subject, respecting the mental outlay necessary to success. An occasional hour or lesson may accomplish
something toward learning, but not much. With all the advantages given Timothy through the early
instruction received from his mother and grandmother, and the assistance of the apostle Paul, still it was
necessary for him to "study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed: rightly setting forth the word of truth." So we find in the efforts essential to a knowledge of the
word of God, that, like obtaining knowledge of other things, the mind must be employed intently and
continuously. There can be no substitute for mental industry. We must apply the mind and heart, or not
know the things of God.
SEC. 10. A DESIRE TO KNOW AND DO THE TRUTH, IS NECESSARY.--It can not be denied that the
most careless and indifferent may learn something about the word of God. But they are not likely to learn
much, nor to learn anything very well. Being without interest respecting its claims, or, it may be, set
opposite to them, wishing not to find the truth, as almost anything else would comport better with their
lives, the truth will not be found by them. It would be as difficult for such persons to see the truth, as it
was for the priest and the Levite to see the man who had fallen among thieves. Or, if they should see,
they would immediately look on the other side, and so pass on. For a moment they may behold their face
in the divine mirror, but they go away [16] immediately, and forget what manner of men they were. The
soil must be in keeping with the seed, or there will be but little accomplished by the sowing. There are
men for whom the gospel of Christ has no more charms than pearls have for swine. There must be good
ground; "such as have an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit
with patience" (Luke viii. 15). The test given by the Saviour is just to the point: "If any man willeth to do
his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself" (New
Version). It is this willingness to do the will of God that prepares the mind for that effort which is
necessary to understand the law of the Lord. In the Acts of the Apostles (xiii. 48), we have a picture. The
Gentiles who glorified the word of the Lord, and were ordained to (determined for) eternal life, believed;
and those who were opposed, remained in unbelief. Men can find what they look for, but what they do
not want to see, it is difficult to make them understand. Hence if there be not a good and honest heart,
there will be but little fruit from the sowing.
SEC. 11. SPIRITUAL PURITY IS A LARGE FACTOR IN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION.
(1.) As just seen in the previous section, the mind must be en rapport with the teaching to be
received. But we now go further, and show that indisposition does not simply prevent the examination
that is necessary to any thorough knowledge, but it is a condition that fences against the pure word of
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