Spirit, discipleship, community : the contemporary significance of Anabaptist hermeneutics
The objectives of this thesis are twofold: to undertake a comprehensive survey of the hermeneutics of early Anabaptism (1525-1560) in order to clarify the principles operating within this movement and to distinguish Anabaptist hermeneutics from other sixteenth century systems of biblical interpretation; and, on the basis of this survey, to explore ways in which Anabaptist hermeneutics might contribute to contemporary hermeneutical developments. Anabaptist hermeneutics offered a coherent and distinctive approach to biblical interpretation in the sixteenth century. Its basic principles can be discovered from the writings of Anabaptist leaders and the practice of Anabaptist congregations. Six convictions characterised this hermeneutics. Scripture was sufficiently clear for all believers to be enfranchised as interpreters. Scripture must be interpreted in the light of Jesus Christ, its focal point. The New Testament must be accorded priority and the Old Testament interpreted in the light of the New. The Holy Spirit was the interpreter, whose guidance must be actively sought. Only those committed to discipleship and obedience to Scripture should expect such guidance. The congregation was the hermeneutic community
Murray, Stuart Wood
Philosophy
Spirit, discipleship, community : the contemporary significance of Anabaptist hermeneutics. The objectives of this thesis are twofold: to undertake a comprehensive survey of the hermeneutics of early Anabaptism (1525-1560) in order to clarify the principles operating within this movement and to distinguish Anabaptist hermeneutics from other sixteenth century systems of biblical interpretation; and, on the basis of this survey, to explore ways in which Anabaptist hermeneutics might contribute to contemporary hermeneutical developments. Anabaptist hermeneutics offered a coherent and distinctive approach to biblical interpretation in the sixteenth century. Its basic principles can be discovered from the writings of Anabaptist leaders and the practice of Anabaptist congregations. Six convictions characterised this hermeneutics. Scripture was sufficiently clear for all believers to be enfranchised as interpreters. Scripture must be interpreted in the light of Jesus Christ, its focal point. The New Testament must be accorded priority and the Old Testament interpreted in the light of the New. The Holy Spirit was the interpreter, whose guidance must be actively sought. Only those committed to discipleship and obedience to Scripture should expect such guidance. The congregation was the hermeneutic community
spirit discipleship community contemporary significance hermeneutics objective twofold undertake comprehensive_survey hermeneutics early order_clarify principle operate_within movement distinguish hermeneutics system biblical_interpretation basis survey explore_way hermeneutics might_contribute contemporary hermeneutical development hermeneutics offer coherent distinctive biblical_interpretation basic_principle discover writing leader practice congregation conviction characterise hermeneutics scripture sufficiently clear believer enfranchise interpreter scripture must interpret_light jesus_christ focal_point new_testament must accord priority old_testament interpret_light new holy_spirit interpreter whose guidance must actively seek commit discipleship obedience scripture expect guidance congregation hermeneutic community