Literal Hermeneutics: the principles of interpreting the Bible to understand what the original author meant to communicate to his intended audience, consistently reading the Bible like you would any other book, newspaper, magazine, etc., respecting what the text plainly says, avoiding what it doesn't plainly say; according to the customary meaning of the words employed, according to the purpose of language itself; allowing the Bible itself to be the only authority for determining spiritual truth to believe and live by.
grammatical-historical context: consider immediate, book, and Bible (Scripture interprets Scripture) context;
Grammatical context: the relationship of words and phrases to one another which clarify what the author intended the readers to understand. The meaning of individual words is determined by:
1. identify Hebrew/Greek word (via Interlinear, or Strong's Concordance #)2. consult lexicons (via Bauer, Thayer, etc.)
3. examine word usage in other texts (via Englishman's Concordance)
4. summarize findings
Historical context: Determine how the original hearers/readers would have understood the text. Consider geographical location, timeperiod, audience, and culture. This guideline safeguards against inappropriate personal "application." In those times, simply accept and appreciate what God said to others in order to understand God and His ways/plans with others.
link to my index page