Moises Silva's A Case for Calvinistic Hermeneutics - Research Paper Example

Moises Silva's A Case for Calvinistic Hermeneutics Hermeneutics defines the discipline and subject of completely deriving theories, principles and other methods that are used in day to day interpretation of texts. This is specially used to make a better and easier understanding of texts and information that is written in a complex manner. This is to make an easier and complete comprehension to the readers, or listeners in the context. It is specifically directed to make a clear understanding in the sacred notes, texts and scriptures that were written in the ancient times. Since the world is evolving with evolving languages, some of the words what were used are considered to be in a complex manner. There is a need to replace the complex ancient words with evolving words that are understood in the current context, especially with the readers. Traditional hermeneutics have focused on ensuring the ancient texts are traditionally interpreted to derive reasonable meaning according to the scriptures.1 This is an incident where many people encompass their knowledge in deriving meanings to texts that were written by ancient writers during the time of the events. In essence, the concentration on such interpretation is to derive the primary meaning of the historical scriptures, without distorting the meaning of the stated expressions. Therefore, skills and knowledge must be utterly used to make a possible meaning out of the scriptures, without relaying discordant information. According to Moises, the Calvinistic hermeneutics is an expression of the interpretation from the Calvinists. The Calvinists have their interpretation in accordance to the intended message from the historical writers, which is acceptable and understood. The Calvinists have their own theories, principles and methods that are entirely used in expressing their interpretation of the scriptures. The Calvinists indulge such methods, principles and studies to ensure they come out with the best interpretation of the Bible. This is an acceptable standard that is used worldwide in their quest for a universal interpretation that is devoid of distorted information.2 This shows that the Calvinists have their own unique way of interpreting the Bible, which is acceptable in their own fraternity. Therefore, the use of other principles and methods in interpreting the Bible would not be acceptable by the Calvinists. Moises insists that this is the root of a difference in some of the interpretations in scriptures. Different fraternities have their own form of interpreting the Bible, which may not be acceptable with other fraternities. Moises states that all Christians in the world have their unique way of interpreting the Bible and scriptures. This depends on the factors that are respected by the Christians, and theory of unending faith to believe in the scriptures. This is an indication that Christians might have the same reading but have a different interpretation, depending on their understanding of the scriptures. Comprehending the scriptures, therefore, depends on the Christian individual and the various values that are inclined to one’s faith in believing the scriptures. Some biblical texts have an insight while others have a deeper meaning. The meanings vary from Christian to Christian, depending on the focal point and view of the information embedded in the scriptures. Some Christians only understand the outright meaning of a scripture and only take such information to use in their daily life. However, stout Christians will have a deeper and insightful reasoning from a scripture.3 This indicates that the two types of Christians read the same scripture but will denote a different understanding. This gives a difference in the hermeneutic expression, though it is in the same context. Therefore, focus on such would be a vital factor in understanding Moises’ Calvinistic hermeneutics. According to Moises, there are a number of Christians that have their own difference in interpretation the scriptures. Though they may have the same scriptures, their understanding of the same would be in different perspectives. This difference emanates from their difference in values and their faith in the same. A direct concern in the values and faith plays a greater role in the outcome of the scriptures from the different Christian, making it a different focal point in concentration. The different christens with different interpretations include the Calvinists, Arminian, Wesleyan and the Pentecostal, which are otherwise known as the Charismatic and the Orthodox.4 With such a large number of grids in the Christian fraternity, there is a difference in their interpretation of the same scriptures. Each of the group will have a percentage of acceptable interpretation from the scriptures, as long as it does not interfere with their belief and faith. The stated groups share the same scriptures, with a slight difference in the context, but have a difference in the understanding of some phrases. The contentious points in the scriptures are considered to emanate from a number of interpretations that are not acceptable by the other groups. This makes it hard to come out with a single expression of the Christian fraternity. This partially explains why there is a difference in denominations, as they have some points that do not coincide with each other. Moises states that the Calvinistic view of the Bible has a close connection to its theological use.5 The Bible is considered as the basic material that is used in the Christian fraternity. Therefore, all the scriptures in the Bible are useful in ensuring the solid state of the Christian fraternity. The Christian use the Bible during their spiritual encounter with their religion, and use the scriptures to strengthen their belief. This is considered the same use of the Bible during theological practices. Practicing theologies use the Bible as their focal point in their study to ensure they have the faith and belief. Therefore, according to the Calvinists, the interpretation of the Bible during spiritual orientation should be used in the same manner during theological study. In their own faith, the Calvinists consider the Bible as a vital possession and control of their belief. Secondly, the Calvinists interpreted the Bible as a sacred scripture. This is an interpretation that the scripture is a sacred book and should only be used in reference to religion. This is to be used in the same manner during the theological practice. The theological practicing studies should therefore give due respect to the interpretation during their study. This shows that the Calvinistic approach to interpretation does not consider a difference during the normal use of the Bible and during the theological study.6 Therefore, an interpretation during the study should be equally the same interpretation as the one used during an entire use of the Bible. A universal approach to this study makes it known as the Calvinist approach, as there is no difference in their interpretation of the scriptures. In a deeper description of the Calvinistic interpretation, many writers have considered it to be an exegetical expression of the scriptures.7 This is to mean that the interpretation of the Calvinistic view is considered to be supreme. The interpretation of the scriptures in the Calvinistic manner is considered to be highly rated, considering the geniuses in the first order. The interpretation in this particular method is considered to be in-depth in consideration to other forms of interpretation. The in-depth interpretation of the scriptures denotes deriving an in-depth meaning from a scripture. According to Moises, the Calvinistic approach could derive a number of meanings from the same scripture. This makes the readers and audience to encompass more understanding from the same scripture as most of the scriptures are given simpler in-depth meanings. Moises describes the Calvinistic interpretation as an interpretation that has unsurpassed originality. The scriptures are considered to be interpolated in the same meaning as the original writings. This means that the Calvinistic interpretation does not derail from the initial meaning that was intended by the writers. This is a bone of confession from other fraternities, especially the Arminian interpretation where some of the interpretations do not coincide with the original meaning that was intended by the original writers. Originality is an expression where the interpretation does not seem to change the meaning of the scriptures. The scripture, according to the Calvinistic interpretation, is a sacred point that should not be changed to suit the meaning of the interpreters.8 It should be used in the same context as the authors and writers, at the ancient times. Though the world may seem to be in a developing state, there is no need to change the scriptures to suit the ever changing world. In their consideration, the Calvinists state that the scriptures were inspired by a Supreme God that surpasses the human mind. Therefore, the Supreme’s message should not be distorted to fit into the human race. According to Moises, the Calvinistic interpretation is considered to be of soundness and of permanent value.9 The sacred scriptures have been noted to excel beyond reasonable doubt in regard to comparison to other writings. This means that the scripture interpretation according to the Calvinistic approach does not compare any f the writing in the scripture to other writings in the world. The scriptures are respected at a better view and do not conform to any other interpretation that suits the world. Though some of the parts in the scriptures are considered to be beyond human nature, they are interpreted in the same way. This is to insist the sound nature of the scriptures that conforms to the Christian faith. In loftier terms, the scriptures should be understood in a sound context as stated in the originality. Therefore, Christians should use the Bible in accordance to the same way they are written, without using any other interpretation that suits their reasoning10. In actual sense, the Calvinistic approach to the Bible states that the scriptures surpass human nature and should be used in the same context. The scriptures are considered to have permanent value, in accordance with the Calvinistic approach. Moises states that the scriptures are considered to have a constant interpretation and value that does not change. Though the world may be evolving, there is no difference in the interpretation. Time is not considered as a factor in the changing of interpretation of the scriptures. Therefore, all the interpretation will remain the same despite a change in the time. This shows that the interpretation has a constant standing that is not changed. This is the Calvinistic interpretation of the scriptures, making it a stringent interpretation.11 In addition to this, the Calvinistic interpretation does not conform to the change in language. The language that is used should be in line with the meaning of the original scriptures. There are a number of questions that are directed towards the Calvinistic interpretation. For instance, there has been a cause of concern in interpretation of the Bible, in denoting a feasible Bible interpretation from the theological interpretation. These are two different states that use the same scripture as their reference point, yet they have indifference. In this case, there is a little confusion in the use of the Bible as a theological reference and a biblical interpretation. Since they are two disciplines, they deem to have a difference in the interpretation of the same. However, Moises states that the Calvinistic approach in the interpretation of the scriptures does not have a difference. The Calvinistic approach reflects a universal interpretation of the scriptures that are used during the biblical approach and during the theological study. The same meanings are to be used in the two disciplines, despite their indifference. Therefore, using the Calvinistic approach should be referred to as a universal interpretation that does not factor in indifference during the usage of the scriptures. This is an appropriate approach as the scriptures are maintained to be sacred in their usage. There has been course of concerns in the difference between the figurative and literal approach. Some of the statements in the Bible have a literal and figurative meaning, which is considered during the interpretation. In a description of the scriptures, there s a considerable literal approach and the figurative approach. The Calvinists interpretation therefore is considered to be the original view of the scriptures.12 The language that is used in the scriptures is wide and has a wide interpretation that could be derived from the words that are used. For instance, there is a large amount of figurative language that is used in the scriptures. According to Calvinistic approach, the scriptures should be interpreted clearly in accordance to both the literal and figurative speech. This is a considerable approach to making an interpretation in accordance to the Bible scriptures. For instance, there are considerations when the Bible talks of Jesus as a vine. In literal meaning, Jesus is not considered as a vine. If this is considered in a literal language, it could be in a different meaning, which would not be acceptable in the Christian fraternity. Therefore, Jesus as a vine should be considered in a different interpretation. According to the Calvinistic interpretation, this should be taken in as a figurative language. This is both in the theological and biblical study, as it should make the same sound interpretation. In this interpretation, it is considered that Jesus is approached as the foundation of the truth in regard to the belief. Jesus is the foundation of the Christian fraternity, and should be considered with utter respect it deserves. In essence, the Calvinistic interpretation takes in account all the interpretations that are used in the Christian fraternity in a meaningful and sound manner. The sense derived from the interpretation is considered to reflect on the supreme being of the Christian fraternity and their faith in Jesus. Interpretation of the metaphors, figurative language and comparisons in the Calvinistic approach are considered to be effective in making a possible interpretation that makes a sound outcome. The use of such interpretation should, therefore, be used in all the settings, including the theological and biblical approach. In the Calvinistic approach, there is a prominent approach in reading the biblical texts according to the implications of the perspective of the writer. The writer is considered to be the focal point in accordance to the genre, literal convention and the historical prevalence at the same time. Therefore, interpretation in the Calvinistic manner should be implied to mean the same indications as expressed by the writer. The writer’s point of view must be given priority in deriving a meaning from the context. Use of external sources in deriving the interpretation is likely to cause a distorted message, which is not acceptable. In some of the acceptable interpretation, it is considerable to use the historical narration to derive an appropriate meaning. The Calvinistic point of view accepts the use of historical narration and context to derive the current meaning that would be appropriate.13 In these cases, reflecting on the current state of world would not be used to make an interpretation. This is due to the indifference in the meaning that would be derived if there were to be a difference in the different times that are reflected. Similarly, assumptions are not considered in this context. Assumptions are considered to distort the intended meaning in historical grounds. Most of the cases in the scriptures should be interpreted in accordance to the intended meaning, rather than reflecting of an assumption of the situation. In actual sense, the Calvinistic interpretation rules out the use of assumptions in deriving a meaning from the scriptures.14 Assumptions could give out possible meanings that are not acceptable in the Christian fraternity. The Calvinistic interpretation in actual sense should have a theological basing to make an appropriate interpretation of the situation. Therefore, all the interpretation in the Calvinistic interpretation should be made in accordance to the theological view of the Christian fraternity. Theology gives the possible directions that should be used during any interpretation of the scriptures to make a sensible view of the statements. This is in line with the Calvinist view point where theology and the biblical interpretations are hand in hand. According to universal view point of Christian teachings, theology plays a major role in highlighting such teachings. It is admissible that all Christians follow the theological teachings in interpretation the scriptures, which is also used in the Calvinist approach.15 Calvinist interpretations states that the theological systems should elaborate on how the scriptures are interpreted and the process of exegete. Theology, therefore, makes the scripture understandable and meaningful through the stated procedures. According to Calvinists, the theological impressions and descriptions show the exact standings of the scriptures and have an exact bearing of the context. This is the reason as to why many theologians insist that the scriptures have permanent validity which does not change. In conclusion, the Calvinists have a standing that God has sovereignty and is considered to be predetermined. God is in control of all situations in the world as He has already predetermined the events. Therefore, the Calvinists believe that they should interpret the scriptures in full understanding of God’s sovereignty without doubt. With such a direction of divine sovereignty, Calvinism is considerate be an interpretation to mean the exact notion created by the Supreme. Bibliography Long, V. Philips, Silva, Moisés Muller, Richard Longman, and Poythress Vern. Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation. New Jersey: Zondervan, 1996. McQuilkin, Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible Revised and Expanded, New York: Moody Publishers, 2009. Oliphint, Scott. God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God. New York: Crossway, 2011. Oliphint, Scott, and Tipton Lane. Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics, New York: P & R Publishing, 2007. Saebo, Magne. Hebrew Bible / Old Testament: The History of Its Interpretation: from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. New York: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2008. Moisés, Silva, and Walter Kaiser. Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning, New York: Zondervan, 2007. Read More