Biblical Hermeneutics

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