Hermeneutics

Basic Rules of Interpretation

The Bible is a treasure box. To open the fullness of the treasure within, Christians must use a certain key—hermeneutics, or the rules of interpretation. The correct interpretation of Scripture is almost as important as the doctrine of verbal inspiration itself.

Interpreting the Bible Accurately

God is capable of accurately relaying His Word to us in a way that we can understand. It is crucial that we interpret properly to determine the intended meaning rather than forcing ideas into the text.

Must We Interpret the Bible Literally?

If Adam was not a literal, historical person who literally rebelled against God by eating a literal fruit, thus bringing in the Curse upon this world, then why did Jesus (a descendant of the literal Adam) come to die on the Cross. It is important to take God at His Word in all areas, particularly in Genesis, which is foundational to the gospel message itself.

Genesis and a Literal Six Days

To interpret Genesis 1–11 in the same way Jesus did, you must treat the passage as historical narrative and follow the standard principles of interpretation. When you do this, it is clear that God created everything in six normal-length days approximately six thousand years ago.

Articles About Hermeneutics

Magazine Article

Is the Bible a Distraction?

Oct. 3, 2021 from Answers Magazine

We don’t need to abandon our defense of the Scripture to emphasize the resurrection.

Book Chapter

Genesis Meaning in Hebrew

Aug. 1, 2020 from The New Answers Book 4

How to read Genesis in the original language while considering vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and common translation issues in the first book of Moses.

Magazine Article

Old-Earth Creationism—Is It a Sin?

July 12, 2020 from Answers Magazine

Nobody should minimize the danger of errors, especially when we teach error to others.

Magazine Article

God’s Other Book

Nov. 1, 2019 from Answers Magazine

God speaks through both nature and scripture, but they are not equal.

Magazine Article

Truth Everyone Can See

May 26, 2019 from Answers Magazine

Scripture is so hard to understand. How can anyone be sure they understand it correctly?

Is the “Law of First Mention” a Legitimate Interpretive Principle?

Oct. 19, 2018

One principle that has found favor among some young-earth creationists is known as the “principle of first mention,” or sometimes the “law of first mention.”

Defending the Bible’s Clarity

Feb. 26, 2018 from Answers Update

The denial of the clarity of Genesis undermines the authority of Genesis—which undermines the authority of the entire Bible! The rejection of the clear, authoritative teaching of Genesis about how and when God created has significantly contributed to the moral and spiritual decadence into which America has descended.

Magazine Department Article

Are Gender-Neutral Bible Translations Okay?

July 1, 2016 from Answers Magazine

Are translators attempting to push an unbiblical agenda that diminishes the Bible’s emphasis on manhood and gender roles?

In-Depth Article

Is Genesis 1 Literal, Literalism, or Literalistic?

May 2, 2016 from Answers in Depth

When we read Genesis 1 in its context, it should be understood as a historical account which teaches that God created everything in six 24-hour days.

Magazine Department Article

Meaningful Words

Sept. 30, 2015 from Answers Magazine

Hermeneutics—“rightly dividing the word of truth”—begins with a careful look at each word to determine its original meaning.

Magazine Department Article

Context Is King

Sept. 2, 2015 from Answers Magazine

Sometimes we can destroy the meaning of a text by an incomplete study of the context or by imposing our own ideas on it.

Magazine Department Article

Should I Leave My Church Over Creation?

Jan. 1, 2015 from Answers Magazine

Is your church is teaching serious error regarding origins?

Magazine Department Article

Avoid Raising Little Legalists

Jan. 1, 2015 from Answers Magazine

Our fallen nature often leads us astray from true obedience into the ditch of rule-keeping.

Semi-Technical In-Depth Article

Have We Misunderstood Genesis 1:1?

Sept. 11, 2013 from Answers in Depth

The purpose of this section is to define some of the interpretive schemes that have arisen since the idea of vast ages became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Book Chapter

7.1 Danger No 1: Denial of Central Biblical Teachings

Dec. 6, 2012 from Did God Use Evolution?

The entire Bible bears witness that we are dealing with a source of truth authored by God.

Feedback Article

Misunderstandings About YEC and OEC

Nov. 9, 2012 from Feedback

Why does Answers in Genesis say that those of an old earth persuasion have compromised? Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., explains.

Feedback Article

Get the Message Across

Aug. 3, 2012 from Feedback

Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., responds to a reader, who believes that the Bible should not be interpreted literally and that we should just focus on the message of salvation.

Feedback Article

The God of an Old Earth

June 22, 2012 from Feedback

Christians who believe in an old earth must hold to an inconsistent hermeneutic of interpretation. Troy Lacey and Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S., explain.

Semi-Technical Book Chapter

Biblical Interpretation

July 14, 2011 from The Great Turning Point

To assess properly the debate that the scriptural geologists were involved in, one needs also to understand the views of Scripture held by evangelicals and high churchmen.

How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 2: Is Genesis 1–11 Historical Narrative?

March 1, 2011 from Apologetics Web Series

Tim Chaffey, AiG–US, explains why Genesis should be interpreted as historical narrative.

How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 1: Principles for Understanding God’s Word

Feb. 22, 2011 from Apologetics Web Series

God is capable of accurately relaying His Word to us in a way that we can understand.

Feedback Article

A Heavy Burden?

March 19, 2010 from Feedback

A ministry worker on a college campus thinks teaching a “literal interpretation” prevents students from accepting the gospel.

Magazine Article

Unlocking the Truth of Scripture

Nov. 15, 2009 from Answers Magazine

Christians must use a certain key—hermeneutics, or the rules of interpretation.

Semi-Technical In-Depth Article

Literary Forms and Biblical Interpretation

June 24, 2009 from Answers in Depth

The key to unlock the Bible is within the reach of everyone and not just a special group of people with expert training.

PDF Download

Semi-Technical Book Chapter

Aspects of Information as Found in the Bible

May 28, 2009 from In the Beginning Was Information

God is shown as the source or sender of biblical information.

Magazine Article

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Oct. 1, 2008 from Answers Magazine

Interpreting Genesis as straightforward history is as old as written records.

PDF Download

Magazine Article

The Bible—Can We Understand and Trust It Today?

Oct. 1, 2007 from Answers Magazine

From the beginning of history, mankind has been tempted to question God’s Word.

Magazine Article

Eisegesis

June 1, 2002, pp. 16–19

A deadly virus is sweeping through church members worldwide. I consider this virus to be one of the most dangerous in the world today.

The World’s Most Dangerous Book?

March 2, 2002

Because this is an article in an Answers in Genesis publication, some readers might answer by saying that Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species is the most dangerous book.

Magazine Article

Two Worldviews in Conflict

Sept. 1, 1998, pp. 26–27

Examines the direct conflict between evolution and the Bible in all these relevant areas. Only one system can be correct.

Semi-Technical

Problems in methods of interpretation—Genesis 1-11: Part 2

Oct. 1, 1979, pp. 22–26

Is there any explicit teaching within the Bible itself that suggests its details are not to be pressed in matters of the physical creation? When reference is made to the original creation, the creation narrative is treated as fact without any reservation.