Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology (MOTBIT) ISSN 2676-2838 | Volume 2 Issue 5 – December 2020 pp 102-108 Available online at: https://noyam.org/journals/motbit/ https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2020121
The Literalist and Fundamentalist Interpretation of the Bible: A Review Caleb Olayiwola Alu1 1
Department of Religious Studies, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT It is undebatable that Christians and Bible scholars accept the Bible as the uniting point for all - as a source and reference point. However, the approach to interpretation – how they see and read the Bible - divides them. The review of literalist and fundamentalist interpretative approaches based on their identifying tag reveals their convergent and divergent positions. This study shows that no particular hermeneutical “method” can guarantee a better understanding of and obedience to Holy Scripture. An openness of heart and a searching mind remain essential. Also, a large part of the Bible makes sense when read literally and it exercises control on the imagination.
Correspondence: Caleb Olayiwola Alu Email: alucaleb@gmail.com Manuscript Received 18th September 2020, Accepted 23rd October 2020, Published online 14th December 2020.
Keywords: Literalist, Fundamentalist, Interpretation, Bible © 2020 The Author. Published and Maintained by Noyam Publishers. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
INTRODUCTION This is a study that evaluates the hermeneutical impact of the literalist and fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, by studying the belief factors that necessitate their approach and practice. Christians and Bible scholars accept the Bible as the uniting point for all - as a source and reference point. Despite this agreement, its interpretation divides them. “Conflict about how to see and read the Bible is the single greatest issue dividing Christians today.”1 According to Oladejo, the Bible is concurrently the meeting point and the departure point of all Christians.2 This suggests reasons for various interpretation methods and approaches to Biblical hermeneutics, based on the presupposition majorly determined by its interpreters. This work studies the literalist and fundamentalist approach to the interpretation of the Bible; why they adopted their methods and Christian bodies that practice these interpretations. FOUNDATION OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION The word hermeneutics is said to have its origin in the name Hermes.3 However, Ramm traced the etymology of the term “hermeneutics” to the Hebrew words Pathar (to interpret) and pithron (an interpretation); and the Greek words hermeneia (interpretation) and harmonius (to interpret), were used in various forms in the New Testament.4 Jeanrond, defines hermeneutics as “a theory of interpretation which contains all reflections on methods of biblical interpretation.”5 Bultmann however sees hermeneutics as “the art of scientific understanding.”6 For Heinrici, it is “the theory of the 2 3 4 5 6 7
James D. G. Dunn, The Partings of the Ways: Between Christianity and Judaism and Their Significance for the Character of Christianity, (Philadelphia:Trinity Press International, 1991) cited in Marcus J. Borg, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but not Literally (Harper Collins Publishers, 2001), 3. Olusayo B. Oladejo “Biblical hermeneutics and decision-making: A critique of the dispensationalist approach.” International Journal of Current Research, 8, no 2 (2016): 27039-27043. Henry A. Virkler and Karelynne Gerber Ayayo, Hermeneutics: principles and processes of Biblical interpretation 2nd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI: Bakers Academic, 2007),15-16; the Greek god who served as messenger for the gods, transmitting and interpreting their communications to their fortunate, or often unfortunate, recipients. Bernard. Ramm, Protestant Biblical Interpretation,(Boston: W. A. Wilde Company, 1956) cited in Olusayo B. Oladejo, “Biblical hermeneutics and decisionmaking.” 27039. Werner G. Jeanrond, “Hermeneutic.” A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, R. J. Coggins and J. L. Houlden (Eds.), (Philadelphia: Trinity Press, 1990), 282 cited in Olusayo B. Oladejo, “Biblical hermeneutics and decision-making: A critique of the dispensationalist approach.” 27039. Rudolf Bultmann, “Das Problem der Hermeneutik,” in Glauben und Verstehen, II, 2d ed.,211-35. TÜbingen, Cited in Gerhard Maier, Biblical Hermeneutics, translated by Robert W. Yarbrough (Wheaton, Il: Crossway, 1994) 16.
© 2020 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Publishers. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).