The term Hermeneutics: Can be very difficult to define in understandable terminology.

But for the sake of simplicity let us define it as:

To understand fully the Science that teaches us the principles, methods, and laws of interpretation. ( Doctrinal teaching  is fundamental to biblical revelation and understanding)

In other words the means by which we obtain a proper understanding, interpretation and application of the scriptures in relation to their contextual usage. 

The following are some causes as to why many misinterpret the bible:

A failure to recognize the COMMUNICATION GAPS existing between the modern reader

and the ancient peoples of the scripture. ( word meanings change through time )

A lack of qualification on the part of the INTERPRETER / READER..

A failure to distinguish between the DISPENSATIONS.

A failure to recognize the differing covenants.

A failure to distinguish between the 3 ETHNIC GROUPS addressed in scripture.

A failure to look at CONTEXT.

A  failure to understand and take into consideration the significance of PROPHETIC GAPS in the .mist of a passage.

A failure to understand the purpose and meaning of parables, analogies, symbolism and types.

There are 3 points of consideration in rightly dividing the word:

1. Understanding and Interpretation:

It is essential that we have a proper understanding of scripture before we attempt to apply the scriptures. What is needed is the illumination and assistance of the Holy Spirit. 

1 John 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you..  as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost..  he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

This is why college professors, bible historians, Christian psychologist and some so called theologians can have an excellent knowledge of the historicity and concepts of the bible.

Yet they lack any real biblical insight or revelation.

Due to the missing ingredient in their lives, called the illumination of the Holy Spirit INDWELT PRESENCE?.  

So until man has a born again redemptive experience he will remain in spiritual darkness unable to understand spiritual matters or concepts.

However this does not mean man will not be able to understand the message or principles of salvation. 

For this message is clear to all unlike the doctrinal and theological concepts which takes some efforts at study and research

2. Application and interpretation:

We must learn to rightly apply Gods word to our lives first and primarily before we can attempt to apply it to others.

    “ Be not only hearers of the word but doers..”    “Judgment begins first at the house of God”

    ‘‘ BY THE SAME MEASURE THAT YE JUDGE YE SHALL BE JUDGED”

In other words before you use the word to judge others judge yourself by it.

There is only 1 interpretation but many applications.

Per example: (Interpretation) Where bible speaks of delivering the Jews from bondage to the promise land the underlying principle or typology (Application) can be applied to the Church being taken out of the world and to Heaven.

We must also realize that all the bible is not written to and for the Church.

Now that may surprise some of you ? Lets clarify that with this statement.

The bible is written to 3 groups of people.

This is called the Ethnic division principle.

1. To The Jews. 

2. To the saints. 

3. To the aint’s or sinners sometimes referred to as Gentiles

3. Context: It is very important that we read the scriptures in the context of their setting.

* man is not given the opportunity to interpret scripture as he pleases or reasons?

for the word interprets itself (Analogy of scripture) and does not have various meanings other than what is stated.

*Another point to consider is that the bible is not always written in chronological order?

We must at times read it bearing this in mind.  Avoid Anacronizing scripture.

We must remember the scriptures were written in the context of what is known as time dispensations and theological covenants.

This is crucial to rightly understanding and applying scripture.

Bare in mind that some covenants were conditional and some unconditional.

Learn the difference between Exegesis and Eisegesis. 

To practice Exegesis is to take out of the scriptures what is its literal meaning and interpretation within the context of proper biblical methodology.

To practice Eisegesis is to place into scripture other supposedly intended meanings or self induced concepts.

Next we will look at the various dispensations and covenants.

1. First let us define the term dispensation or Dispensationalism:

A particular way in which God deals with mankind in regards to salvation, sin, and responsibility, (otherwise known as Soteriology and Harmatology) usually within the context if a certain time frame.

Biblically there are 7 dispensations wherein man is given opportunity to know and relate to God in a specific way, each which ends in some form of judgment with mans refusal to obey God.

The first dispensation known as the Dispensation of innocence.   

A time dealing with the creation and fall of man, the innocent state where man had no knowledge of sin and evil. 

Man had certain responsibilities in the garden and personal communion with God which sin broke and thus brought separation. For sin (Satan) always separates! But mercy and love (God) always restores John 10:10-1,Gen.1:26, 2:25 “for the devil comes not but for to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that you might have life and life more abundantly”

2. The Dispensation of conscience:   

Dealing with man after his fall, through his awakened conscience? man having lost spiritual life as derived from communion with God, he then became subject to the law of sin and death ”for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is life..“for the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.Rom 6:23,  8:2-3,

It was because of this spiritual death that man became controlled or guided by the soulish or selfish nature, the flesh, the mind, will, and emotions.

Hence where he was once led and directed by the Spirit he was now under the influence of the carnal nature.

He was in need of restoration of his relationship and communion with the divine.

Where he could once again be given spiritual life and power over the forces of darkness.

That spiritual life came in the form of the Holy spirit on the day of Pentecost as found in the book of  Acts 2:1-4, 36-39, and as promised in  John 10:9-11, and chapter. 14:1-3, 16-18, 26, 

Whereby man would be given back the authority to exercise his RIGHTFUL dominion. But until then he would have to be governed and guided by the conscience thus the Dispensation of Conscience.

This period ended with the flood due to judgment because of mans sin and rebellion, with this end came the Noahic covenant and the dispensation of human government. ‘

Where God promised Noah, his descendants and mankind that he would never flood the earth again’ and as a confirmation of this UNCONDITIONAL covenant God gave man the rainbow in the sky as a symbol and reminder of his promise, protection and concern for him.(mankind)

3. The Dispensation of Human Government:    

After the flood this is the period in which God began to deal with man on a more general basis. Whereas in the time of conscience it was on a individual level, but with human government it included both.

While still using the conscience, God chose to organize man individually and nationally despite the fact that mans conscience was becoming more evil and insensitive to Gods leading and correction. 

It was Gods desire for man to be governed by a Theocracy. 

A God centered relationship & leadership vs. democracy a man centered relationship & leadership.

This period ended in judgment as God confused the peoples language and scattered them abroad, the very command they refused to obey? As found in Gen 9:1-16, 11: 1-8

( Did anybody ever notice that God use tongues in the past to scatter the people out and now in the present he uses Tongues to bring his people in )

 .

4. The Dispensation of Promise: 

From the call of  Abraham to the exodus some 430 years are covered, here God dealt directly with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Whereby giving them specific promises and commandments from which would come the Abrahamic covenant, Davidic covenant, Palestinian? or Deuteronomic covenant. see Genesis 11:10,  12:1-3,  13:14-17,  15:6-15, 26:2-5, Exodus

Here is where we must realize we cannot take a bible promise from one dispensation or covenant and try to place it in another time or covenant, or to another group of people.

This is unbiblical and is called Anachronizing we must read and apply scripture in context of proper biblical hermeneutics and in its literal sense.

This period ended in Gods judgment with the nation of Israel in slavery under the oppressive rule of the Egyptians.

The Dispensation of the Law:  

From the time of Sinai to Calvery, after God delivered Israel out of slavery.

He gave them the law or Ten Commandments, of which in reality consisted of 613 commandments?

This law also had 3 divisions or areas of concern:

1. The ceremonial:   Dealing with the sacrificial offerings, their food consumption and preparation, feast days,

                                   hygiene and clothing, etc.

2. The civil:               Dealing with their civil relations and disputes with each other and other nations, their

                                  institutions, governments, cities, etc.

3. The Social:          Dealing with their cultural, physical, and spiritual interactions with each other.

This law was given specifically to the Jews not to us nor others?

It was a covenant called the Mosaic covenant given to the Jews specifically to distinguish, separate, guide, protect  and keep them from the ungodly pagan nations around them.

However this does not mean that the law is not applicable to us?

For there were within it some inherent eternal principles that apply to all peoples and were established before the giving of the law, for instance thou “ shalt not murder” as commanded to the sons of Adam.

The law ended when it was fulfilled in and by Jesus Christ, for the law was never intended to bring righteousness,“ for what the law could not do in that it was weak thru the flesh..”  

It was only meant to point out the weakness of people as humans and their inability to measure up thus showing a need for help from a greater source! In essence the law was a school master ( Pedigagos ) meant to lead people to God. The law was somewhat temporal whereas Jesus is eternal.

Yet their are principles inherent in the law which predated it and are still to be obeyed by all, and beneficial for all. Exodus 19, Matt 5:17-18, John 19: 30, Galatians 3:15-19,

This time period ended with judgment and the temple being destroyed, the Jews scattered and temporal

( NOTICE THE EMPHASIS IS ON THE WORD TEMPORAL ) loss of their homeland.

Which was prophetically promised that one day they would return and BE RESTORED and retain their land back as a nation.

(1948?) Jerusalem being their capital? for more information read these; Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Isaiah.

The Dispensation of Grace:   

This began from the Day of Pentecost as found in book of Acts chapter two, and extends to the 2nd coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation.

The benefit and advantage of this Covenant of Grace as compared to that of the law is that we are no longer subject to the harsh requirements of the law as they pertain to salvation.

“ ye are saved by grace not of works ”for by grace through faith you are saved & not of yourselves” 

We are now under grace but this does not mean that we are to live in sin for where sin abounds grace does much more abound! 

It is during this time era of Grace that the rapture (removal of the church) will take place at an unknown time prior to  the tribulation and before the 2nd coming of Christ. (read) 1 Thess 4:13-17,  11Thess. 2:1-7,

The Dispensation of the Millennium:  

Here is where all the unfulfilled promises (covenants) of the bible to the Jews will be fulfilled after Jesus returns.

The nations are judged, the beast and false prophet cast into the lake of fire, Satan bound 1000 years.

And Jesus rules upon the throne on the earth for 1,000 years.

This program is specifically for the true Jewish nation or people ( Jews by faith not by blood: Jews who become believers ) but will include to some extent other peoples who come to a belief during the tribulation.

Then we have what are called the Theological Covenants:

We can see 8 differing covenants in the scriptures. Bare in mind that a covenant is a contract. A set of contractual agreements drawn up between God and man.

A covenant is a contract: A legal binding agreement between two or more parties.

Thus if we are to rightly divide the word of truth, we must learn to differentiate between these various contracts, their provisions, their parties, and their purposes.

1. Edenic       ( conditional -  obedience). 

2. Adamic       ( unconditional- curse and a promise) 

3. Noahic       ( unconditional- no new curse or world flood) 

4. Abrahamic    ( unconditional- promise of blessing)

5. Mosaic       ( conditional -  obedience ) window.print();