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{{Bible}}
{{Bible}}
'''Hermeneutics''', in Christian theology, is the study of the interpretation of Scriptures. Hermeneutics is often referred to as both a science and an art: a science because there are specific rules to be followed, but also an art because the task is not a mechanical, dry procedure.
'''Hermeneutics''', in [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theology]], is the study of the interpretation of Scriptures. Hermeneutics is often referred to as both a science and an art: a science because there are specific rules to be followed, but also an art because the task is not a mechanical, dry procedure.
The process consists of two main parts:
The process consists of two main parts:
*Once the meaning of a passage is discovered, then it is to be read in light of the entire Bible (and not build a doctrine or position on a single [[Cafeteria Christianity#Proof texts|proof text]]). A common phrase used to define this is '''"Scripture interprets Scripture"'''. The principle also holds that we should read obscure passages of Scripture in light of clear passages on a subject.
*Once the meaning of a passage is discovered, then it is to be read in light of the entire Bible (and not build a doctrine or position on a single [[Cafeteria Christianity#Proof texts|proof text]]). A common phrase used to define this is '''"Scripture interprets Scripture"'''. The principle also holds that we should read obscure passages of Scripture in light of clear passages on a subject.
The difference in hermeneutics between Catholic/Orthodox and Protestant groups is how writing of early church fathers should be considered:
The difference in hermeneutics between [[Catholic]]/Orthodox and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] groups is how writing of early [[church fathers]] should be considered:
*[[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] hermeneutics likewise hold that obscure passages of Scripture must be read in light of clear passages as being from the one mind of one Divine Author (the [[Holy Spirit]] of [[God]]) interpreted infallibly by the same Author guiding the [[Magisterium]]<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:15-17&version=KJV John 14:15-17], [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:25-26&version=KJV 25-26]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2016:7-15&version=KJV 16:7-15]. <br>Compare [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%201:19-21&version=KJV 2 Peter 1:19-21]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%203:15-18&version=KJV 3:15-18]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%203:9-12&version=KJV Ephesians 3:9-12]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1timothy%203:14-15&version=KJV 1 Timothy 3:14-15]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2timothy%203:12-17&version=KJV 2 Timothy 3:12-17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2013:17&version=KJV Hebrews 13:17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2018:15-20&version=KJV Matthew 18:15-20]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2013:1-3&version=KJV Romans 13:1-3]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2022:18-19&version=KJV Revelation 22:18-19]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2thessalonians%202:15&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:15]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2015:6&version=KJV Acts 15:6]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%203:10&version=KJV Ephesians 3:10]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2thessalonians%203:3-5&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2018:16-17&version=KJV Matthew 18:16-17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=titus%203:9-11&version=KJV Titus 3:9-11].</ref> to [[Discernment|discern]] and gradually unfold ever more and more clearly the inexhaustible depths of its profoundly deeper meaning and application to the life of the whole church in accordance with [[Tradition|Apostolic Tradition]] (see [[Apostolic succession]] and [[Ecumenical council]]).
*[[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] hermeneutics likewise hold that obscure passages of Scripture must be read in light of clear passages as being from the one mind of one Divine Author (the [[Holy Spirit]] of [[God]]) interpreted infallibly by the same Author guiding the [[Magisterium]]<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:15-17&version=KJV John 14:15-17], [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:25-26&version=KJV 25-26]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2016:7-15&version=KJV 16:7-15]. <br>Compare [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%201:19-21&version=KJV 2 Peter 1:19-21]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%203:15-18&version=KJV 3:15-18]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%203:9-12&version=KJV Ephesians 3:9-12]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1timothy%203:14-15&version=KJV 1 Timothy 3:14-15]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2timothy%203:12-17&version=KJV 2 Timothy 3:12-17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2013:17&version=KJV Hebrews 13:17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2018:15-20&version=KJV Matthew 18:15-20]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2013:1-3&version=KJV Romans 13:1-3]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2022:18-19&version=KJV Revelation 22:18-19]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2thessalonians%202:15&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:15]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2015:6&version=KJV Acts 15:6]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%203:10&version=KJV Ephesians 3:10]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2thessalonians%203:3-5&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2018:16-17&version=KJV Matthew 18:16-17]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=titus%203:9-11&version=KJV Titus 3:9-11].</ref> to [[Discernment|discern]] and gradually unfold ever more and more clearly the inexhaustible depths of its profoundly deeper meaning and application to the life of the whole church in accordance with [[Tradition|Apostolic Tradition]] (see [[Apostolic succession]] and [[Ecumenical council]]).