retation--a
human side, because the Scriptures address men in human language, and
according to human modes of thinking and speaking; a divine side,
because they contain a true revelation from God to men, and differ in
this respect from all other writings. The neglect of the human side
leads to visionary schemes of interpretation, in which the writer's
fancy is substituted for the sober rules of criticism, and the word of
God accommodated to his preconceived opinions. The rejection, open or
covert, of the divine side, manifests itself in a cold, skeptical
criticism, which denies or explains away all that is supernatural in the
Bible; which, instead of seeking to discover and unfold that unity of
plan and harmony of parts which belong to every work of God, delights
rather in exaggerating the supposed inconsistencies and contradictions
of the sacred writers, and in arraying one part of Scripture against
another; and which, having no faith itself in the Bible as containing a
revelation from God, infuses doubts respecting its divine origin into
the mind of the reader. It is only by keeping steadily in view these two
sides of revelation, which mutually supplement each other, that we can
attain to a true knowledge of the inspired word.

FIRST DIVISION.

INTERPRETATION VIEWED ON THE HUMAN SIDE.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXXIV.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION.

1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to
human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to
ascertain the _meaning of the terms_ employed. Here he must proceed as
in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons,
cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever
other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the
language employed by the Holy Spirit in his revelations to men. To these
external sources of knowledge he will add all the internal light which
comes from a careful consideration of the context, of the author's known
use of terms, of parallel passages, etc.

In the case of the New Testament, a knowledge of classical Greek will
not be sufficient. The interpreter must superadd a thorough acquaintance
with the peculiar dialect of the New Testament (Chap. 24, No. 5), and
also the special usages of particular writers. The apostle John, to
adduce a single instance, applies the term _Logos_, _Word_, to the Son