Biblical Hermeneutics

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Biblical Hermeneutics

Biblical Hermeneutics is the disciplined study of interpreting Scripture faithfully and responsibly. This course introduces students to the principles, methods, and historical contexts necessary for understanding the Bible as the Word of God, written in specific times, cultures, and literary forms.

Students will learn how to move from the original meaning of a biblical text to its theological significance and contemporary application, avoiding common interpretive errors. The course integrates classical hermeneutical approaches with practical tools for preaching, teaching, and personal study.

This classroom-based course emphasizes guided reading, discussion, and written reflection to help students develop sound interpretive judgment and spiritual discernment.

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN

• The nature and purpose of biblical interpretation
• Historical, cultural, and literary contexts of Scripture
• Principles of grammatical-historical interpretation
• Genre-sensitive reading of biblical texts
• From exegesis to application
• Avoiding misinterpretation and proof-texting
• Hermeneutics for preaching, teaching, and discipleship

COURSE LEVEL

Beginner to Intermediate
(Designed for theology students, pastors, teachers, and serious Bible readers)

COURSE FORMAT

• Classroom-based learning
• Weekly lessons
• Guided discussion threads
• Written reflections and assignments

INSTRUCTOR DETAILS

Instructor: Bro. Ranjith Reddy. M M.Div., M.Th (NT)
Role: Theologian | Educator | Christian Content Creator

The instructor is engaged in theological education, biblical studies, and digital discipleship, with a focus on equipping Christian leaders to interpret Scripture faithfully in contemporary contexts. Through teaching, writing, and training initiatives, the instructor integrates academic rigor with practical ministry application.

This course reflects ongoing work in theological publishing, curriculum development, and leadership formation under the Perspectives Junction initiative.

The instructor serves through Perspectives Junction, a Christian training and publishing initiative committed to training minds, equipping hands, and reaching hearts through faithful biblical interpretation and practical theological education.

Below is a 12-week Biblical Interpretation lesson plan explicitly structured on
Grasping God’s Word and
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.

It trains students to move from text → meaning → theology → application without shortcuts.

Course Title

Biblical Interpretation: Learning to Grasp God’s Word

Primary Textbooks

• Grasping God’s Word
• How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Core Method Used

• Interpretive Journey (Duvall & Hays)
• Genre-based reading (Fee & Stuart)

Week 1 — Why Interpretation Matters

Problem: People read the Bible sincerely and still get it wrong.

Focus

• Why interpretation is unavoidable
• Reader bias and assumptions
• The Bible as God’s Word in human words

Key Skills

• Identifying interpretive gaps
• Distinguishing meaning from feeling

Exercise

• Compare two interpretations of the same passage
• Identify where interpretation broke down

Week 2 — The Interpretive Journey (Big Picture)

Problem: Most readers jump straight from text to application.

Focus

• The 5-step Interpretive Journey
  1. Grasp the text in their town
  2. Measure the width of the river
  3. Cross the theological bridge
  4. Consult the biblical map
  5. Grasp the text in our town

Exercise

• Walk through the full journey using one short passage

Week 3 — Grasping the Text in Their Town (Historical Context)

Problem: Ignoring the original audience distorts meaning.

Focus

• Author, audience, purpose
• Cultural and historical setting
• Occasion and situation

Exercise

• Reconstruct the situation behind a New Testament letter
• Identify modern assumptions imposed on the text

Week 4 — Literary Context and Flow of Thought

Problem: Verse-by-verse reading destroys meaning.

Focus

• Immediate and broader context
• Paragraphs and argument flow
• Repeated words and themes

Exercise

• Outline a chapter
• Show how one verse changes meaning when read in context

Week 5 — Measuring the River: What Has Changed?

Problem: Treating the Bible as if it was written directly to us.

Focus

• Cultural differences
• Covenant differences
• Language and situation differences

Exercise

• Identify what makes direct application invalid
• Classify differences between ancient and modern readers

Week 6 — Crossing the Theological Bridge

Problem: Application without theology becomes opinion.

Focus

• Timeless theological principles
• What the text teaches about God, people, and redemption
• Avoiding culture-bound conclusions

Exercise

• Extract theological principles from a passage
• Test whether they apply universally

Week 7 — Genre Matters: Narrative and Law

Problem: Treating stories as commands and laws as suggestions.

Focus

• Old Testament narrative
• Mosaic Law and covenant context
• Descriptive vs prescriptive texts

Exercise

• Identify what a narrative teaches without turning it into a rule
• Apply OT law responsibly today

Week 8 — Poetry, Wisdom, and Psalms

Problem: Reading poetry literally or emotionally only.

Focus

• Metaphor, parallelism, imagery
• Proverbs as general truths, not promises
• Psalms as prayers, not doctrines

Exercise

• Interpret a psalm without over-spiritualizing
• Correct misuse of a proverb

Week 9 — Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature

Problem: Obsession with prediction instead of message.

Focus

• Prophetic context and purpose
• Near and far fulfillment
• Symbolism and imagery

Exercise

• Interpret a prophetic passage in its historical setting
• Identify symbolic vs literal elements

Week 10 — Gospels and Acts

Problem: Treating Jesus’ life as a collection of moral lessons.

Focus

• Historical narrative with theological purpose
• Kingdom of God
• Acts as descriptive church history

Exercise

• Interpret a Gospel story in its narrative flow
• Identify theology, not just morals

Week 11 — Epistles: Reading Letters Correctly

Problem: Quoting letters without reading the whole argument.

Focus

• Occasional nature of letters
• Logical flow and structure
• Commands in context

Exercise

• Outline one epistle
• Interpret a command within its argument

Week 12 — From Text to Today: Responsible Application

Problem: Application driven by emotion, not meaning.

Focus

• Meaning vs significance
• Individual vs community application
• Avoiding manipulation from the pulpit

Final Project

• Full interpretive paper or teaching outline
• Must follow the entire interpretive journey

What This Course Produces

Students will:

• Stop abusing Scripture
• Read with discipline and humility
• Teach and preach with clarity
• Apply Scripture without distortion