Hermeneutics is defined by Random House as:
- the science of interpretation, esp. of the Scriptures.
- the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis.
A few years ago I was introduced to the term ‘hermeneutic of suspicion’ in the book, Copious Hosting, by Jeanie Weis Block:
“Therefore, scriptural exegesis of the disability passages begins with a “hermeneutic of suspicion,” asking a question not unlike the question posed by many feminist theologians when they inquire if Scripture, with its decidedly patriarchal bias, can be relevant and meaningful to women. Likewise, disability advocates must ask difficult questions such as: Do the Scriptures have an ‘ableist’ bias that ultimately oppresses people with disabilities?” p. 101
While it was buried 100 pages into the book, statements like that just jump off the page. The arrogance that we have greater wisdom than the Scriptures is stunning – but very, very common. And not new.
C.S. Lewis wrote a series of essays addressing the idea that we get to judge God and Scriptures rather than see ourselves as standing before God deserving his judgment. He titled it, God in the Dock. And he wrote those essays between 1940 and 1963.
We can keep going back into history. I actually thought of the above quote from Weis Block’s book while reading Luke 6:
On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. Luke 6:6-7
The scribes and the Pharisees wanted to SEE A MIRACLE so they could accuse him. Even observable evidence of omnipotent authority over creation only fueled their certainty that Jesus couldn’t be who he said he was. Talk about a hermeneutic of suspicion!
God does not fit into easy categories because only God is free and righteous and just and holy – all in infinite proportions. When he says he creates some who are disabled, he is speaking and acting out of his infinite depths of knowledge and righteousness, not our time-centered, sin-filled, finite perspective.
A ‘hermeneutic of suspicion’ of the Scriptures? No, never. Please, when certain passages are hard to understand, take the opportunity to dig deeper rather than become suspicious of the author and his authority to do whatever he wills with his creation. For his glory and our good.
[…] 22, 2010 by debese *update: John Piper tweeted this link regarding the hermeneutic of suspicion today. Fits in well with the theme of this […]
Well said! Who are we to dare to question the perspective of the Almighty, Omniscient God?
[…] John Knight: God does not fit into easy categories because only God is free and righteous and just and holy – […]
I have struggled with this in a different way than you describe in this post. As a theologian and lover of the text of Scripture… I want desperately to interpret the Word as it is intended… “what did this mean to the reader at the time it was written?” As a social activist involved in the cause of defending the rights of the disabled to be able to live in their own homes, have integrated employment options and diversity sensitive churches… I have a different perspective. I get hot under the collar and sometimes want to shout on the rooftops about the capabilities/potentiality that many disabled people have (as they depend on the strength of Christ). However my quandary is that sometimes these two drives collide… and I haphazardly interpret the Scriptures as a social justice manual rather than the living word that is sharper than a two edged sword. Both causes are important, but one must be driven by the other. The call to social justice should be driven by a clear reading of the text, with sound theology and local churches and the nuclear family as the staging ground. Then and only then will we have a method of social justice that will have eternal consequences.
[…] Follow the link in the tweet. It’s a great and thoughtful post on disabilities and our tendency to want to draw a box around God. It’s a good reminder to approach God, acknowledging who He is. […]
I personally knew a woman with severe, mental disabilities who learned to develop her few mental strengths to such a degree that she completed her Masters and went on to do incredible things for children as a part of God’s Ministry. Various scientists/psychologists/doctors did studies on her when she was a kid because they were so amazed at all she was able to accomplish. If it weren’t for the fact that she clinged to Christ to such a profound level, and had parents who trusted God when it came to her, she wouldn’t have been able to do everything she accomplished.
I often think of her in regards to my own faith because she truly moved mountains. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves because it’s the ones who WE see as “limited” or “disabled” that actually do it right, and it’s our thought that we’re somehow “superior” because we’re not “disabled” that makes us think we need find reasons to doubt God and His Scripture. Sort of like the feminists who think women are being “opressed” by being wives and mothers when the reality is there are many women who are extremely happy to just be a wife and mother. God knows what He’s doing, and we just have to trust in Him. It’s as simple as that…as hard as it can be for so many of us.
Would love to know more about this woman who completed her Masters – can you give me details of the studies done perhaps?
[…] 19, 2010 by John Knight I love the word of God. This post from February came while I was reflecting on some very hard things about disability and the Bible. I do not […]
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Amen!