
Episode #239
Who Decides What the Bible Means? A Crash Course in Hermeneutics (Ep 239)
How can two people read the same passage of Scripture and reach entirely different conclusions? In the first episode of this Hermeneutics 101 series, Peter Goeman explains what hermeneutics is, how it differs from exegesis, and why interpretation is never as automatic as we might assume. He distinguishes meaning from application, considers whether the reader, text, or author controls meaning, and examines the problems with the idea that God intended meanings unknown to the human authors. Ultimately, sound hermeneutics is essential for preserving the clarity and authority of God’s Word. Time Stamps 0:00 Introducing Hermeneutics 101 3:09 The “hermeneutical switch” behind theological disagreements 6:08 What is hermeneutics? 7:33 Hermeneutics versus exegesis 8:29 Why interpretation is not automatic 13:11 From hermeneutics to exegesis, theology, and application 15:01 Essential terms for biblical interpretation 17:37 One meaning, many applications 23:52 Getting the right doctrine from the wrong text 28:37 Who controls meaning: reader, text, or author? 34:57 When a community controls interpretation 37:08 Can a biblical text have multiple meanings? 44:00 The divine author, human author, and sensus plenior 48:40 Why a “fuller meaning” makes interpretation unstable 55:29 The confluence of divine and human authorship 56:31 Why sound hermeneutics matters 1:04:08 Can the Old Testament be understood without the New? If you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify . You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube . Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend. Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog. Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.

