Dungan - Hermeneutics
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D. R. <strong>Dungan</strong>'s <strong>Hermeneutics</strong>: A Text-Book: Chapter II.<br />
further being said. But without the knowledge of history, we will not know whether the writer is<br />
speaking of Herod the Great, Archelaus, Aristobulus, Antipas, Philip, Agrippa I., or Agrippa II., and<br />
everything will be confused.<br />
(8.) A good knowledge of the lands of the Bible will render many things plain which, without such<br />
knowledge, would be dark.--The things that were said and done would have much more of meaning and<br />
interest to us if we knew where they were and at what they were looking when these things were done<br />
and sail. The allegories of the true vine and the good shepherd; the teaching of the Master on the great<br />
day of the feast; the directions to the blind man, "Go wash in the pool of Siloam," crossing the sea to the<br />
land of the Gadarenes, or coming through the midst of Decapolis; the teaching of the Master in the<br />
borders of the city of Cæsarea Philippi; the transfiguration that followed, are at least partially lost to us<br />
without a knowledge of the geography of the country. But while this is true in the study of the Gospels, it<br />
is especially true when we come to read the Acts and the letters of the apostles to the various churches.<br />
Every student of the Scriptures ought, therefore, to become familiar with all the lands mentioned in the<br />
Bible. In the study of Old Testament history, this is especially true. The forty-two encampments of the<br />
children [31] of Israel will never be understood without a good knowledge of the country through which<br />
they passed. Egypt, Sinai, the wildernesses of Paran and of Zin; the land of Edom; the mountain ranges;<br />
the land of the Amorites, of the Moabites, of the Midianites east of the Jordan, should all be known. The<br />
student will be well paid for all the time and energy expended in the study of Biblical geography.<br />
(9.) One should become as thoroughly acquainted as possible with the customs of the people during<br />
the times of the Bible.--Many things are perfectly inexplicable unless we are in possession of this key of<br />
knowledge. Words and ways are full of meaning to us when we know the customs of the people;<br />
whereas, without such knowledge, we would not be able to divine their intent.<br />
SEC. 14. WE SHOULD EXPECT TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE.--The Bible is regarded by many as a<br />
sealed book, and not to be understood, unless by some gift from God which shall make it possible, either<br />
because of some office, or on account of conversion. The ability to read it as any other book, and<br />
understand it by reading it, is not supposed to belong to unaided mortals. In another place we will<br />
examine the cause of this hurtful superstition, but fog the present we are content to say that we must<br />
expect to understand the word of God or our investigations will amount pious waste of our time. If we<br />
should read any other book in this way, no one would expect us to know anything about it when we had<br />
finished the reading. The words might be pronounced or heard, but no impression would be made on the<br />
mind. We would not be looking for anything, and, as a consequence, we would not find anything. [32]<br />
There are those now who regard the Scriptures as a mystery, and therefore not to be understood by<br />
the common mind. Indeed, they suppose that the Scriptures themselves teach that they are a mystery. On<br />
this account it is necessary to quote a few passages, that we may realize our privileges.<br />
"But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou<br />
hast learned them; and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee<br />
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God is profitable for<br />
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be<br />
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