Lessen van de Reformatie voor de hermeneutiek

Contemporary views on the hermeneutical process, including philosophical theories of speech acts, challenge the authority of Scripture in the context of international evangelicalism. Of course, the use of contemporary philosophy in theology and especially in hermeneutics is legitimate, but it must not lead to a weakening of the authority of Scripture. Four hermeneutical principles from the Reformation are inspiring to articulate that authority: 1. Scripture is the first starting point (principium) and the final standard; 2. Scripture is the living and powerful Word of God; 3. the sovereign Spirit commits itself to the Word and 4. the Spirit-breathed Word (theopneustia) requires a spiritual and clear explanation. This article is a plea to approach hermeneutics in the (post)modern context from pneumatology and to test it against God's Word.