GSEM534 February 20, 2003 Lecture Outline HERMENEUTICAL METHOD Part 4: Principles and Applications Jerry Moon1 I. Review: The Hermeneutical Outline 1. Preparation 1. Heart 2. Mind 2. Wide Reading; All Available Evidence 3. Contexts 1. Literary 2. Historical 3. Theological 4. Principles vs. Particular Applications 5. Specialized tools for exceptional cases. 1. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, index and chapters on hermeneutics. 2. Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. II. Definitions A. Principle: an unchanging rule of human behavior. 1. Historically timeless—true in all historical time periods 2. Geographically universal—true in all places. B. Particular: the detailed application of some timeless and universal principle to a particular time and place. Unlike principles, particular applications of a principle do vary with changing circumstances. C. E. G. White on principles and particulars. The call to principled living is a frequently recurring theme in the writings of Ellen White. 1. “The Bible is the guidebook that is to decide the many difficult problems that rise in minds that are selfishly inclined. It is a reflection of the wisdom of God, and not only furnishes great and important principles, but supplies practical lessons for the life and conduct of man toward his fellow man. It gives minute particulars that decide our relation to God and to each other. 1This lecture adapted by permission from GSEM 534 lecture outlines by Roger W. Coon, “Hermeneutics: Jemison’s Third Rule,” April 11, 1995, and Denis Fortin, “Ellen G. White and Hermeneutics: Part III–The Historical Context,” April 26, 2000.2. “Every Christian will have to learn to. . . be controlled by principle. . . , controlled by the principles of God’s word....” (2T 347, 459 [1869, 1870]). 3. “There are practical lessons in the Word of God.... That Word teaches living, holy principles which... Men... are to bring into the daily life here, and carry with them to the school above.... We need the Word of God revealed in living characters. What pure, excellent language is found in the Word of God! What elevating, ennobling principles!” (Ms 96, July 20, 1899, cited in UL 215). 4. “The great conflict is right at hand in which all will take sides. In it the whole Christian world will be involved. Daily, hourly, we must be actuated by the principles of the Word of God. Self must be sanctified by the principles of righteousness, the mercy, and the love of God. “At every point of uncertainty, pray, and earnestly inquire, “Is this the way of the Lord?” With your Bibles before you, consult with God as to what He would have you do. Holy principles are revealed in the Word of God” (Letter 94a, June 6, 1909, cited in UL 171). D. Alternative terms for “principles” and “applications.” 1. W. C. White, in conversation with E. G. White: “principles” and “precepts” (3SM 221:3). “In my study of the Bible and in my study of your writings, I have come to believe that there is a principle underlying every precept, and that we cannot understand properly the precept without grasping the principle” (3SM 221:3, emphasis supplied). 2. Roger W. Coon: “principles and policies.” 3. Denis Fortin: “principles and applications.” 4. “Particulars” or “policies” or “precepts” all refer to time-and-location-specific “applications” of principles. E. To summarize, then: 1. The goal for every Christian: to follow the way and will of the Lord. 2. The method: to study both principles and policies, as found in the inspired writings, applying both in hermeneutically appropriate ways. III. Case Studies A. Teaching Girls to “Harness and Drive” Horses 1. In 1903, Ellen White wrote this counsel to young women: girls who “could learn to harness and drive a horse ... would be better fitted to meet the emergencies of life” (Ed 216, 217). 2. Is that counsel a principle or a policy/application? a. Today this counsel is universally ignored on SDA campuses on all continents. b. Perhaps some would take this as “evidence” that the SDA educational system has“abandoned the blueprint.” c. Actually, Ellen White never used the word “blueprint” to characterize her writings. (1) The CD-ROM lists the word “blueprint” twice, and both times it is a supplied word, one never used by EGW herself. (2) John A. Burden (1862-1942), the original compiler of Loma Linda Messages, inserted it in an editorial subtitle (“Divine Instruction the 'Blue-Print' Through the Inspired Pen of Ellen G. White”) on the title page (p.3). (1) Donald E. Mansell, then-associate secretary of the White Estate, supplied it as a section heading for MR #883 (“Blueprint for SDA Health-Care Institutions”), (p. 11, cited in 11MR 187). d. Sound hermeneutics requires us to study the context in examining potentially troublesome statements. So what about girls harnessing and driving horses? (1) Internal (Literary) Context: It quickly becomes apparent that Ellen White here is urging girls, as well as boys, to obtain a practical education, in order to be self-reliant and prepared for unexpected situations. “Since both men and women have a part in homemaking, boys as well as girls should gain a knowledge of household duties. To make a bed and put a room in order, to wash dishes, to prepare a meal, to wash and repair his own clothing, is a training that need not make any boy less manly; it will make him happier and more useful. And if girls, in turn, could learn to harness and drive a horse, and to use the saw and the hammer, as well as the rake and the hoe, they would be better fitted to meet the emergencies of life” (Ed 216-217). (2) External (Historical) Context: In 1903, horses were still the major means of transportation. 2. The Principle: Both men and women need practical skills that free them from helpless, total dependence on others, and fit them for life’s practical emergencies. 3. Applications today: a. Transportation skills: (1) Andrews Academy course, “Driver’s Education” (2) Andrews University course, AUTO104 “Personal Auto Care,” teaches routine maintenance, tune-up, and minor repairs. b. Typing and computer skills, for self-reliance in academic emergencies. B. Physical Posture in Prayer 1. One