Hermeneutics

This first lesson establishes the authority, inspiration, and infallibility of Scripture, drawing on 2 Peter 1:20-21 and the God-breathed (theopneustos) claim of 2 Timothy 3:16. Because the Word is spirit (John 6:63), it must be judged by faith (Hebrews 11:3), not merely by the letter, and Jesus affirms it cannot be broken (John 10:35). The apostles' use of the imperfect Septuagint shows confidence in God to preserve His Word.

Lesson two examines the equipment needed to understand the Bible, studying the Greek word cosmos and Satan's rule over the world system. Since Scripture belongs to the kingdom of God, one must be born again (John 3:3), for the natural man cannot receive spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14). Distinguishing the carnal mind of Romans 8, the deaf-man-and-Handel's-Messiah analogy contrasts mere knowledge with true spiritual reality apprehended by the regenerated spirit.

Titled "The Proper Teacher," this lesson argues that only a spiritual being can teach spiritual truth, so the Holy Spirit Himself instructs us (1 Corinthians 2:10-13, John 16:13). It defines truth as reality and distinguishes revelation from mere learning, and experiential from experimental knowledge. Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16-17, with its "flesh and blood" tied to Leviticus 17, illustrates revelation, likened to dawn breaking through accumulated building blocks.

This lesson teaches that willingness to obey precedes learning, from Jesus' words in John 7:17. A word study of "be diligent" in 2 Timothy 2:15 stresses being an approved workman, and James 1:22 warns against being hearers who deceive themselves, illustrated by the North Dakota experience analogy. Believers must obey all of Scripture, not a smorgasbord, and true spirituality (Romans 12) is ordinary, obedient love rather than spooky mysticism.

Lesson five teaches using the Scriptures properly, presenting the Bible as a book about God, man, and their relationship, which is Jesus Himself. God speaks in "Son" (Hebrews 1) and the Word is Jesus (John 1), who is our righteousness, sanctification, wisdom, and peace (1 Corinthians 1:30), a living person, not a doctrine. Since Scripture bears witness of Jesus (John 5:39), the bronze serpent warns against idolizing the letter.

The first lesson on rules of interpretation breaks Scripture into words, thoughts, intention, and application, insisting we understand it grammatically before theologically. It teaches asking the "whats," digging into root meanings with tools like Vine's and Strong's, and letting Scripture interpret Scripture, shown by Isaiah 7:14 with Matthew 1:23 (virgin) and Psalm 8 with Hebrews 2 (angels). It also weighs context, literal versus figurative language, and historical setting.

Continuing the rules of interpretation, this lesson teaches that apparent contradictions, such as those about flesh and law, resolve into a higher unity held in tension, and that the woman at the well shows love outranking doctrinal disputes. Experience must be interpreted by Scripture, never the reverse. Historical context illuminates Galatians, Colossians, and 1 John; biblical examples bind only with a command, and promises are general or specific.

The concluding lesson covers methods of Bible study, insisting each Christian must investigate the Word personally, like the noble Bereans of Acts 17:11, while the seven sons of Sceva show the danger of secondhand faith. It outlines five requirements, commitment, faithfulness, time, an organized plan, and money, plus a sectioned routine, paraphrasing, straight-through reading, note-keeping, and reference tools. It ends with Paul's "I have finished the course" (2 Timothy 4:7).