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The Hermeneutical Spiral Surveyed.

June 19, 2009 at 5:54 am | Posted in Hermeneutics, Reading, Theology | Leave a Comment

In an age where relativism runs rampant and contextualization appears to be normative, proper hermeneutics is found to be essential when one is trying to unlock the author’s original intent of scripture. Osborne in his book, The Hermeneutical Spiral, does a fine job of laying a proper methodology to the art of hermeneutics. Let us discuss and critique Osborne’s methods so we may apply his standards to our studies.

First Osborne defines hermeneutics as an art, science, and spiritual act. This threefold definition deems noteworthy because it helps apply a lens in which we may approach hermeneutics. In his definition of hermeneutics as an art Osborne states, “it is an acquired skill demanding both imagination and an ability to apply the “Laws” to selected passages or books.” I have found this to be true even in the limited time I have had in sermon preparation. The art of hermeneutics is only to be mastered by repetition and the application of standards. As with all other arts, hermeneutics requires a consistent and extensive, life long, practice; without such the “acquired skill” may fade. Secondly, he defines hermeneutics as a science. This definition allows us to see that it is logical and that there is an orderly process in which we approach it. If hermeneutics were to not be defined as a science it would be prone haphazard practices that would lead to improper interpretation. The last definition we see is spiritual act. Osborne states that it is “the most important” lens in which we approach hermeneutics. Because scripture is “God breathed” it is infinite in nature which requires illumination. Without God releasing “flashes of insight”, as Osborne states, we may not be able to apply the principles (ethical and logical) of scripture to our lives as well as others.

Osborne’s method to hermeneutics appears to be rational and effective. He states that one is to consider the larger context within which a passage is found. In this larger context we can subdivide categories; first, is the historical context.

Within the historical context we should consider the following: authorship, date, the group to which the text is addressed, and the purpose as well as theme. To obtain this information one would primarily use secondary sources. One should proceed with extreme caution when using such resources, largely because there may be a tendency to then interpret through the perspective of one’s source. In the same breath if we do not know the historical context in which a text was written, we are apt to read in twentieth-century grammar and logic; which may not apply.

Second, we are to consider the logical context. This may be found by applying the following method: charting the book, diagramming the paragraph, and arcing. These three methods that Osborne lays out provide a solid foundation to the science of hermeneutics. First, when one charts a book he discovers systematic themes, words, and phrases used. This helps discover the overarching context to any direct texts that are within a book. Without this method it would be effortless to misconstrue individual passages within a text. Second, one is to diagram the paragraph. This consists of breaking sections down to the phrase and word levels. When this is accomplished one can visualize the thought flow of a paragraph then further break down grammatical details. Finally, arcing allows us to break down relationships between sentences and their corresponding structure. He states that it may be more effective to use this method when studying the Old Testament parallelisms.

Overall Osborne’s methods seem to be fluid in thought and practice. We ought to highly consider and apply his principles to our studies not only for greater theological whit, but for application of the text to our lives as well as others. Osborne states, and I fully agree, “The final goal of hermeneutics is not systematic theology but the sermon. The actual purpose of Scripture is not explanation but exposition, not description but proclamation.” The benefit of hermeneutics is that we get systematic theology and sermon, explanation and exposition, description that leads to proclamation.