Fundamentalist hermeneutics

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The behind the fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible standing hermeneutical position (see FIG. Biblical hermeneutics ) is one of several approaches in the exegesis of the Bible . In her self- image she has an absolute claim to be the only correct approach.

General

The fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible is part of the theological concept of Christian fundamentalism .

The fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible draws its theological foundations from the renowned Princeton theology of the 1880s, developed by Professors Archibald Alexander Hodge and Benjamin B. Warfield as a reaction to the liberal theology coming from Europe .

Warfield and Hodge strongly advocated the inspiration of the Bible over historical-critical exegesis , but not simply in the sense of dictation. The word of God is truly divine in meaning, but also genuinely human in style and expression. Likewise, the script in the original text would turn out to be error-free if all the facts were known and the text was interpreted correctly.

This differentiated view, which roughly corresponds to today's evangelical exegesis , developed further in the twenties under fundamentalism into an absolute view of a Bible that was dictated literally and must be taken literally in every respect.

The approach of a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible is sometimes close to an evangelical exegesis, but the representatives of both approaches to the Bible demand a careful differentiation. They also set themselves apart from conservative exegesis.

Characteristics of fundamentalist hermeneutics

Verbal inspiration

Scripture is inspired word for word, ie literally given by the Holy Spirit (so-called “verbal inspiration”). The Bible is to be understood literally. The Bible gives an exact account of what happened (not only miracles are factual reports, but also historical or scientific descriptions).

Inaccuracy of Scripture

It follows that the Bible be without error from the verbal inspiration must , for God as the author can not be wrong. For today's fundamentalists, this inerrancy relates to both theological and scientific statements and also to all prophetic statements.

harmonization

Since all passages of the Bible are equally holy , there can be no contradictions within the Holy Scriptures. Contrasts between different biblical statements are only apparently opposites. In this respect, characteristic accents of different literary layers are harmonized in the Bible. Differing parallel traditions are z. B. interpreted as consecutive double occurrences.

Relativization of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is subordinated to the New Testament . In case of doubt, it has a serving or illustrative function for the statements of the New Testament.

Haphazardness

There are no historical developments. Biblical teaching was ready when the last letter of the Bible was written - in the Spirit of God it was even ready before creation - and it was then as it is today.

Absolute interpretation

The fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible is seen as the only correct and completely objective interpretation. Possible subjective interpretations by the point of view of the boom are not taken into account. The fundamentalist interpreter also rules out any Eisegesis (reading something into the Bible).

See also

literature

  • Eckhard Schnabel : Inspiration and Revelation. The doctrine of the origin and nature of the Bible ; Wuppertal: Brockhaus, 1997 2 ; ISBN 3-417-29519-X
  • Ingo Broer : The understanding of Scripture among Christian fundamentalists ; in: Sigrid Baringhorst, Ingo Broer (Hrsg.): Grenzzüge (r). Contributions to politics, culture and religion. Festschrift for Gerhard Hufnagel for his 65th birthday ; Siegen: Universitätsverlag, 2004; ISBN 3-936533-14-8 ; Pp. 387-421.
  • Stefan Alkier: The Bible did not fall from heaven. Six Biblical Arguments Against Christian Fundamentalism ; in: Stefan Alkier, Hermann Deuser, Gesche Linde (eds.): Religious Fundamentalism. Analyzes and reviews ; Tübingen, Basel: Francke, 2005; ISBN 3-7720-8099-5 ; Pp. 191-224.
  • Manfred Oeming : Biblical Hermeneutics. An introduction ; Darmstadt: Wiss. Book Society, 1998; Pp. 150–163: "Fundamentalist Biblical Interpretation"
  • Ernst Lerle : Faithfulness to the Bible: A fundamentalist approach to the Bible ; in: Ulrich Luz (Hrsg.): Apple of contention Bible: one Bible - many approaches ; Zurich: Theological Publishing House Zurich, 2002; ISBN 3-290-10874-0
  • Ernst Lerle : Practical Commentary on First Corinthians , Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt 1978.
  • Siegfried Zimmer: Does Biblical Studies Harm Faith? Resolving a conflict ; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2007.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Evangeliums-Zentrum Wien - Bible study - text archive. Retrieved January 29, 2020 .