The Hermeneutical Spiral: Letting the Bible Interpret the Bible.
The hermeneutical spiral is a concept that describes the iterative and recursive nature of the interpretive process in Bible study. Let me explain: The hermeneutical spiral is like a cycle because you go through it again and again, and it helps you understand the Bible better each time. So, when you study the Bible, you don't just read it once and understand everything; you keep going back and digging deeper to learn more.
It's like a continuous movement between specific parts (e.g. specific verses or passages) and the entire Bible. The term "hermeneutical" refers to the principles and methods of interpretation, and "spiral" suggests the dynamic and cyclical nature of engaging with the text. The hermeneutical spiral involves moving back and forth between the parts and the whole, gaining deeper insights and refining understanding each time.
Here is a common image illustrating this idea:
The Hermeneutical Spiral Illustrated
The hermeneutical spiral can be understood through the following steps:
Grasp the Parts: Begin by studying specific verses or passages, considering their literary genre, historical context, language, and cultural background. Engage in careful exegesis to understand the original meaning intended by the author.
Engage the Whole: Move beyond the immediate passage and consider the broader context of the biblical book, the testament it belongs to, and the entire Bible. Explore how the passage fits into the overall narrative and theological themes of Scripture.
Interpretive Insights: As you engage with the whole, gain insights that inform your understanding of the parts. The broader biblical context may shed light on the specific verses or passages' meaning, purpose, and relevance.
Refine Understanding: Return to the specific verses or passages with the new insights gained from engaging the whole. Re-evaluate your initial interpretation considering the broader context, making adjustments and refinements as necessary.
Repeat the Process: Continue moving between the parts and the whole, deepening your understanding with each iteration. Each time you engage the whole, your understanding of the parts becomes more informed, and as you revisit the parts, you bring new insights from the whole.
The hermeneutical spiral acknowledges that interpreting Scripture is an ongoing process that requires a willingness to revisit and refine our understanding. It recognizes that the parts and the whole of Scripture mutually inform and enrich each other, leading to a more comprehensive and accurate interpretation. Put another way, “The Bible interprets the Bible.”
Engaging in the hermeneutical spiral helps to guard against isolated or proof-texting interpretations by grounding our understanding in the broader biblical context. It encourages a holistic approach to Bible study, ensuring that interpretations are consistent with the overall teachings of Scripture.
Learn more about this proven and common interpretive method in the book “The Hermeneutical Spiral” by Grant Osborne. You can also learn how to study the Bible in my free course “S.O.A.P.+”.
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