Rabbi B has written a post in response to my request for an article. I hope its the first in a series. If you are interested in knowing the
how of understanding scripture his post
Garden of the Torah is for you.
The big theological word for understanding how to study scripture is
hermeneutics. I've posted on this in the past and anyone who has spent any time with me talking about spiritual things has probably picked up on my interest in this subject.
I grew up in a home and church where a Strict Rationalist hermeneutic was taught. That standard was expressed in three criteria:
- Direct Command
- Explicit Example
- Necessary Inference
Strict Rationalism has a number of good points and will deliver a solid literal understanding of scripture. Any serious student of the bible should utilize this method in their study. I recommend it highly. It took me over 30 years before I realized that Strict Rationalism is very, very good, but its not enough. This method will give a serious student a life time of knowledge. Considering that most people don't "do" all of the things they know to be literally correct, Strict Rationalism is enough to keep a student immersed for a life time.
The traditional Rabbinic hermeneutic is different and more through than Strict Rationalism. It allows a deeper divining of the full council. I just starting to use it in my own study. Check out what my good friend
Rabbi B has to say in his
Garden of the Torah post.
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