Hermeneutical principal number 11;

the Baconian Hermeneutic and of course we're referring to Sir Francis Bacon.

Simply defined, the Baconian hermeneutic

refers to the use of science in Biblical interpretation.

It's worth noting, everyone already does it whether or not they are aware of it.

For example, no one reads passages referring to the sun moving literally.

Why? It's because we all accept modern astronomy.

In addition, the Baconian hermeneutic operates at

an incidental level and does not have an impact on the message of faith.

And finally, science assists in separating the message from

the incidental ancient science and helps avoid conflation.

As we noted in our introductory episodes,

Sir Francis Bacon is an excellent example of someone who embraces the two divine books.

This relationship of science and religion appears in the following passage,

as well as his approach to hermeneutics.

Bacon writes in the early 17th century;

our Savior, that is Jesus,

says "You err not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God."

Bacon is quoting here Matthew 22: 29,

laying before us two books are volumes to study,

if we will be secure from error.

First, the scriptures revealing the will of God,

and then the creatures expressing his power whereof,

the latter is a key unto the former.

In other words, the book of God's works is

a key unto understanding the book of God's words.

Continuing, bacon adds; not only opening our understanding to conceive

the true sense of the Scriptures by general notions of reason and rules of speech,

but chiefly opening our belief in

drawing us into a due meditation of the omnipotency of God,

which is chiefly signed and engraved upon his works.

I think Bacon is absolutely correct in believing that the creatures,

that is the creation,

helped find the true sense of the Scriptures,

but it's necessary to qualify,

that the creatures do not cancel the Scriptures and they do not replace the scriptures.

Please turn back to page 2 in the class handouts,

and we can see that Sir Francis Bacon embraces the two types of

divine revelation found in the two divine books.

First, he accepts special revelation in that,

the Scriptures reveal the will of God.

Bacon also accepts General revelation and especially,

natural revelation and intelligent design.

The creatures reveal the omnipotency, that is,

the all powerful nature of God signed and engraved on His works,

that is the physical world.

This hermeneutical principle leads me to

a question I shouldn't need to ask but I have to,

if science is used in biblical interpretation then who best understands the structure,

operation and origin of nature?

Scientists or lawyers, historians,

philosophers, engineers, medical doctors and dentists?

The reason I'm asking this question is because many of

the leading scientific concordists and

anti-evolutionists are not educated in the evolutionary sciences.

My suggestion to you is this.

Always ask whether a person has

the proper education to be making statements against evolution.

With regards to Genesis 1 to 11,

here's a question that will certainly capture the attention of many Christians.

Will evolutionary biology, like modern botany and reproductive biology

help Christians in understanding the biblical accounts of origins in Genesis 1 and 2?

What do you think? And here are a couple of even more provocative questions.

Are the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:29 applicable to scientific concordists?

You're in error because you do not know the Scriptures.

In other words, concordists failed to recognize that

the Bible features ancient scientific and historical paradigms,

because the Holy Spirit accommodated to the level of ancient people.

In directing the words of Jesus to the antievolutionists,

"You are in error because you do not know the power of God."

God has the unfathomable power to create the universe and life through evolution,

and allow them to self-assemble.

End of episode.

Hermeneutics 11: Baconian Hermeneutic

Science & Religion 101

Conoce a los instructores