Calvin's Hermeneutics

[BrotherBob]

I have been studying Calvin's eight exegetical principles for bible study. I believe most Calvinist would agree on interpretation in Soteriology but seem to be divided when it comes to Eschatology.

In principle #1 on clarity and brevity- In a letter concerning his commentary on Romans, Calvin remarks that the best virtues of commentators are "clarity and brevity." These virtues require the interpreter to aim for both transparency of exposition and focus. Calvin says, "Allegory is to be strictly excluded. When the purpose is to let the matter itself speak out in the exposition, there is no time for luxuriating in the wealth of problems that so many exegetes love, not for the sake of the text, but to draw attention to themselves." Corpus Reformatorum, 59.33).

Any thoughts?

 

[Phileoeklogos]

I say amen, clarity and brevity are the marks of a man who understands the text and can give a concise explanation of it, simpletons like myself appreciate that in a commentator.

 

[kenrapoza]

Agreed - I think Calvin was definitely on the right track.

 

[BrotherBob]

Just thought I would post the other seven principles.

2) The intention of the author
3) The historic content
4) Original, grammatical meaning
5) Literary content
6) Figures of speech
7) The scope of focus on the person and work of Christ

Calvin's Christocentric Interpretation is also very interesting.

 

[Tallen]

Gotta love the wisdom in Calvin's hermeneutic.

 

[kenrapoza]

I've learned that a Christ-centered hermeneutic is one of the hallmarks of confessional Reformed theology. It's one of the things that drew me to the reformation and to a Reformed church in the first place.