Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting texts. It is especially applied to biblical interpretation. The word comes from the Greek hermeneuo, meaning to interpret or translate. It is the science of interpretation. It is the art of understanding. It asks: how do we read? How do we understand? How do we apply? Hermeneutics is the bridge between the text and the reader. It is the bridge between the ancient and the modern. It is the bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of the church.

Hermeneutics involves principles and methods. It involves the historical context. It involves the literary context. It involves the grammatical context. It involves the theological context. It involves the canonical context. It involves the reader's context. It involves the Holy Spirit. It involves prayer. It involves humility. It involves obedience. It involves love. It is not just an academic discipline. It is a spiritual discipline. It is the discipline of listening to God. It is the discipline of hearing the word. It is the discipline of obeying the word. It is the discipline of living the word.

Hermeneutical principles

• Grammatical: understanding the words and syntax.
• Historical: understanding the world of the author.
• Literary: understanding the genre and structure.
• Theological: understanding the message about God.
• Canonical: understanding the passage in the whole Bible.
• Personal: applying the text to the reader.

Hermeneutics is essential. Without it, we misread the Bible. We make it say what we want. We impose our culture on the text. We ignore the original meaning. We miss the point. Hermeneutics guards against eisegesis. It promotes exegesis. It promotes understanding. It promotes application. It promotes transformation. Hermeneutics is not a set of rules. It is a way of thinking. It is a way of reading. It is a way of listening. It is a way of living. It is the love of the word. It is the pursuit of truth. It is the discipline of the disciple. It is hermeneutics.