Why a Historical Overview?

• There have been some real kooks out there:

• Saying Scripture is NOT to be interpreted according to normal communication rules.
• Practicing an allegorical approach (i.e. Catholics and Reformed)
• Saying Scripture has many meanings:
• A Literal Sense
• + A Moral or Ethical Sense
• + A Spiritual-Allegorical-Mystical Sense
• Letters and or Words have SECRET significance to be deciphered.
• There are many meanings and none can be certain.

• Understanding other methods provides a more balanced perspective.

• Identify predecessors pitfalls and ill effects on our current situation.

• Understand that Origen, Augustine, Luther and Calvin prescribed better hermeneutics than they practiced.

• Knowledge of the principle of hermeneutics should be accompanied by its application.