Biblical Hermeneutics
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The Threefold Principle:<br />
PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENETICS ; M. M. NINAN<br />
"The word of God sets forth the truths of salvation in a three-fold way:<br />
past - justification;<br />
present - sanctification/transformation;<br />
future - glorification/consummation."<br />
The Synthetic Principle<br />
This principle insists that we should interpret Scripture in light of other Scripture. It was<br />
essentially the dictum of the Reformers "Scriptura Intra Pratatum" - Scripture is it's own<br />
interpreter. It is always safe to check whether the rest of the biblical position supports the<br />
particular statement. We do consider God's inherent cohesiveness in the revelation and<br />
character which demands this proposition.<br />
Example<br />
In the narration of the selling of Joseph by his brothers we have two groups to whom Joseph<br />
was sold in Genesis 37:25-29; and 39:1, The two groups to whom Joseph was "sold" is<br />
given as "Ishmaelites" and "Midianites."<br />
Frpm the Higher Critic stand point these refer to two traditions one of "J" and the other of<br />
"E". "According to J.," he was sold to the "Ishmaelites," and "according to E.," "The<br />
Midianites sold Joseph into Egypt to Potiphar." This apparent conflict between J and E<br />
traditons is actually resolves refering to Judges 8:24, where we are told that the Midianites<br />
whom Gideon defeated were Ishmaelites. Thus Ishmaelites were simply a subtribal group of<br />
Midianites which solves the problem.<br />
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