Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,2006 1.

Don McClain W 65th church of Christ - December 10,2006

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The term “hermeneutic” means – “The science and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text.”

There are several faulty methods in use today by professed Bible students, (Mystical, Spiritualistic Rationalistic, Hierarchical, etc.), thus contributing to the misunderstanding, confusion and division that exists in the religious world.

Do we need a new way of interpreting the Bible?

How does one come to a correct understanding of Biblical teaching?


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"Because of our tie to the _constitutional pattern

approach_ we have grown farther and farther away from the intentions of the writers of

the New Testament in our use of some of those writings...and

farther and farther away from the legitimate cry of today's

human heart." (Randy Mayeau, Nashville 12/88)

I I Love Love Jesus

Jesus


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"Over the years our position in churches of Christ has been that if we can restore the pattern of New

Testament Christianity there will be unity among our churches. Our

basis for restoring that pattern has centered around the three principles

of Hermeneutics - These three principles of Hermeneutics have led

us into a hard-line, _patternistic formalism_." (Bill Swetmon,

Nashville 12/88)


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The CENI (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) hermeneutic, contrary to the belief of some, did

not fall directly from the throne room of God into the hands of men. It is no more "inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic devised by

men to aid in the interpretation of a written document. Personally, I think it is greatly flawed. . . . Al Maxey – 5-17-2001 Gospel Preachers List


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There are several who have suggested legitimate, and I

believe far more valid, approaches to biblical

hermeneutics. Bro. F. LeGard Smith, in one of his books,

presented just such a hermeneutic. Al Maxey – 5-17-2001 Gospel Preachers List


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Cecil Hook

Patternism is another facet of legalism, a seeking to find holy,

sacramental rituals through which we maintain righteousness and

an official, mediatorial organization through which we work our righteousness, and by which we are kept in controlled conformity. It encroaches on our

individual freedom in serving God.

(FREE AS SONS by Cecil Hook CHAPTER 20 ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN - )


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Ben OverbyBen OverbyBroad Street Church of Christ Broad Street Church of Christ

408 Broad Street408 Broad StreetLagrange, Georgia 30240Lagrange, Georgia 30240

706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Claims ‘CENI’ is the real NEW hermeneutic -

Claims that ‘CENI’ was developed by those attempting to restore the NT church -

Claims ‘CENI’ is the cause of division in the church –

Call’s his BETTER hermeneutic the “Christ Hermeneutic.”


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The Cause – To Restore The New Testament Church -

The Approach – To Find & Follow The New Testament Pattern –

The Method – Finding The Commands, Approved Examples and Necessary Implications in the New Testament.

The Practice – Following The New Testament pattern & Teaching Others They Need To Do The Same!


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Old Testament examples of restoration

Asa – 1 Kings 15 Jehoash - 2 Kings 12 Hezekiah – 2 Kings 18 Josiah – 2 Kings 22 Ezra & Nehemiah – Ezra &

Nehemiah


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It was required that those under the OT follow the patterns given

– Noah & the Ark. (Gen 6:13-16) The Law of Moses – (Exodus 20;

2 Kings 23:2,3) The Furnishings of The

Tabernacle –(Exodus 25-30; 25:9, 40; Heb 8:5)


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What if they did not follow the pattern

Cain - (Gen. 4:7) if you do well . . .

Nadab and Abihu - (Lev. 10:1,2) King Saul – (1 Sam. 15) David’s ox cart – (1 Chr. 13:7-

12; 15:2) Jeroboam - (1 Kings 12:25-33) The people of Israel and Judah -

Taken captive (2 Chr. 36:16)


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Is The New Testament Our Pattern??

The apostles were to reveal ALL truth – John 16:13; Mat 28:18-20;

The Apostle Paul declared the need to hold fast to the pattern –2 Timothy 1:13

We are to stand fast and hold the traditions taught - 2 Thes. 2:15; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3

If We Don’t – 2 John 9; Rev 22:18,19


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Is The New Testament Our Pattern??

The plan of salvation - The New Testament Church The acts of worship The day to observe the Lord's

Supper The church and its work


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The Inductive MethodThe Inductive MethodThis method is the compilation of all

references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements,

approved actions, and necessary implications.

When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of

communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning

and the current application can be arrived at.


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"The book consists of language written by

someone for the sake of communicating

something to you. Your success in reading it is

determined by the extent to which you receive everything the writer

intended to communicate"

(How To Read A Book, Page 7; By Adler & Van Doren)


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The reader who comes to terms with an author

and grasps his propositions and

reasoning shares the author’s mind. In fact, the whole process of

interpretation is directed toward a meeting of minds through the

medium of language. (How To Read A Book; Adler & Van Doren, Pg

153)


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Finding The Direct Statements,

Approved Examples and Necessary

Implications in the New Testament.


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

What can one KNOW from the scriptures without using the

direct statements, examples or implications in

scripture?? Who Is God?? Who is Jesus?? What is the church?? What must I do to be saved??? ANYTHING????


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

What can one prove from the scriptures without using the

direct statements, examples or implications in scripture??

The Deity of Christ - The resurrection of Christ – The kingship of Christ - The plan of salvation – You choose!!!!


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

IS THIS NEW???

Peter, James & Paul – Acts 15:6-19 James appealed to direct

statements. vs. 14-19 Paul referenced how God

exemplified His will. v. 12 Peter argued by the

implications of what God did. vs. 7-11; (cf. Acts 10,11)


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Jack Holt called his better hermeneutic “The Hermeneutic of Love”

Ben call’s his BETTER hermeneutic the “Christ Hermeneutic.”???


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Where & How do we learn about LOVE???

How do we learn about Christ??

Would one following the Christ Hermeneutic treat scripture like Christ did???


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Christ’s Hermeneutic??? Mat

19:3-9 Example – Made them male and

female - (Gen. 1:27) Direct statement – Man shall

leave and cleave & be one flesh – (Gen. 2:24)

Implication – God joined – (cf Mal 2:14)

Necessary Inference - What God has joined together, let not man separate!” (Mat. 19:6)


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706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Christ’s Hermeneutic??? What is written in the Law –

(Luke 10:26-28) Jesus reassuring John b. - (Mt.

11:3-5) Jesus and the resurrection

(Mt. 22:31-33; Lk. 20:37-40) Jesus about the humanity and

deity of the Messiah (Mt. 22:41-46)

Don’t look back – (Luke 17:32)


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The Lord’s Supper??? Direct Statement – Do this in

remembrance of Me – Mat 26:26-28

Example –When to observe the Lord’s supper - Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7

Implication – Frequency of observance – Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)


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Legalistic??? Pharisaical! Jesus stressed obedience – Mat 7:21 Jesus NEVER rebuked the Scribes &

Pharisees for obeying God but for their disobedience!!! - Mat 23:23-28

Jesus rebuked their misapplication of the Law – Mat 12:1-8; 15:7-9

Jesus MUST be obeyed – Mat 17:5; John 14:23; Heb 5:8,9; 2 John 9

To follow the pattern given by apostles is to obey Christ – Acts 2:42; 2 Thes 3:14,15


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What Is Wrong With Teaching People To do

what the NT Teaches????

Stress the need to search for truth!!

Stress the need to obey the gospel!

Stress the need to follow the divine pattern for the church!

Stress the need for developing godly attitudes!! (Love, Mercy, Humility . . .)


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Understandable – Eph 3:3-5 Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim

3:16,17 Cannot Be Transgressed – 2

John 9 The totality of information

revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;


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We must recognize the importance of establishing Divine authority for ALL we do!!

The Bible – (specifically the NT), is the ONLY source from whence Divine authority can be established – Mat 21:23-27; Col. 3:17

What is your attitude towards the need to establish authority for all that you do? - 2 John 9


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What do we need to understand it? –

An honest heart; - (Acts 17:11)

A strong desire to serve him in humble obedience. (Psalms 10:17)

A great love for the Word of God, i.e. – “TRUTH,” (Psalms 119:97-104)

Searching – (Acts 17:11,12) Diligence – rightly dividing

the word – (2 Tim 2:15; Eph 3:3-5)


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The subjective method introduced by those ridiculing what they call ‘CENI’ will only take them and those who follow them away from the Lord!!

The New Hermeneutic movement will take those that follow it to the same spiritual condition as the children of Israel during the days of the Judges, - (Judges 17:6, 21:25).


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We Must Search for the Old Paths, Not Create New Ones –

“Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it,” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Will we walk in the Old Paths? We’d better!!


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Don McClainW 65th church of Christ - December 10,2006 1.

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