Rightly Dividing the Word
The Hermeneutics of Biblical Fundamentalism
FrontLine January/February 2020 | VOLUME 30 | NUMBER 1
As many textbooks state, hermeneutics is the science and art of Bible interpretation. The desire to interpret the Bible correctly must be the focus of every preacher, parent, counselor, professor, and Sunday school teacher in all fundamental Baptist churches. But it must also be true of movements in general, and fundamentalism is no exception. Because books of sermons by many famous fundamentalist preachers from the past exist, we can see how successful they were at it. Because we believe in the existence of objective truth, hermeneutics must be a central concern for fundamentalists.
This issue contains articles focusing on hermeneutics, written by the faculty of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. Long identified with fundamentalism, this institution seeks to train men and women for excellence in “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). These essays relate their subjects to our current day but also show connection to the multivolume series The Fundamentals, published over one hundred years ago. Included is a pertinent article urging expository preaching in our public ministry of the Word, based on our view of the Word’s authority (Dr. Daniel Brown). Combating our culture’s low view of truth (many today question even the possibility of truth), another essay brings attention to the destructive impact postmodernism has had in hermeneutics and how believers can respond (Dr. Doug Brown).
Other articles highlight the grammaticalhistorical method of interpretation and the “how-to” of sound biblical exegesis—that is, Bible-study methods used to help determine the intended meaning of Scripture as it was originally penned (Drs. Alan Cole and Keith Kobelia, respectively). Also examined is the correlation between the historic Baptist Fundamentals and our historic Baptist distinctives with regard to hermeneutics (Dr. Paul Hartog).
We also examine the correlation between the historic Baptist Fundamentals and our historic Baptist distinctives with regard to hermeneutics (Dr. Paul Hartog). The application of sound hermeneutics for the sufficiency of the Word in the life of a believer is the subject of an exposition of Psalm 19 (Dr. Jeff Newman). And finally, the comparison of two major theological systems used by many fundamentalists over the years brings into focus the challenge of consistently striving to capture the heart of the message of the Word (Dr. Ken Rathbun).
Remember, because we now have podcasts, electronic storage systems, and web browsing, people in the future will be able to access with ease the preaching and teaching heard today in independent, fundamental Baptist churches. What will they think of us? Further, what about our application of the Word to our current contexts? Consider: legitimate application can be done only when passages of God’s Word are interpreted accurately. As we were all told in school, “If you cannot interpret a biblical text, you cannot apply it.” When reading sermons preached by certain fundamentalists of a hundred years ago, historians (myself included) sometimes scratch our heads regarding their interpretations. What will others think of our efforts?
As Dr. Kobelia will remind us in his article, interpretation involves hard work. However, it is worth our best effort. Many fundamentalists of a century ago labored long in this process because of their commitment to the infallible, inerrant Word of God. That same motivation should drive us and our ministering of the Word today.
Ken Rathbun
FEATURES
Preach the Word
Daniel R. Brown
The world—and even many evangelicals—see the Bible as outdated and inadequate as a guide for life.
Biblical Hermeneutics and Postmodernism
Douglas Brown
Lewis Carroll’s fictional dialogue between Humpty Dumpty and Alice in Wonderland anticipated the hermeneutical chaos raised in postmodern thinking.
The Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutic
Alan D. Cole
Biblical fundamentalists should be committed to an accurate understanding of God’s Word.
The Task of Exegesis
Keith A. Kobelia
A high view of Scripture should have a profound impact upon one’s practice and methodology.
The Baptist Fundamentals (1920/1921) and Hermeneutics
Paul Hartog
“Not only are we in danger of compromising our distinctive Baptist principles, we are also in danger of compromising our more fundamental Christian principles.”
Sound Exegesis—Sound Living; Shaky Exegesis—Shaky Living
Jeff Newman
Most authors of recent bestselling Christian books on problems in living have received their formal training in psychology rather than in the Scriptures.
Fundamentalism and the Hermeneutics of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism
Ken Rathbun
Everyone uses some type of grid (a set of suppositions) to interpret biblical passages.
DEPARTMENTS
Mail Bag & News from All Over
On the Home Front
Regional Reports
On Language & Scripture
Mark Ward
At a Glance: When the Son of Man Comes, Will He Find Faith? (Luke 18:1–8)
Layton Talbert
Arlington Ladies
Cheryl W. Shellman
Attitude Affects Outcome
Jerry Sivnksty
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