Week 16- Hermeneutics and Contextualization

In this final set of lectures for the course, Dr. Tim first discusses the basic task of hermeneutics (method of interpretation of Scripture). He then offers his own personal approach to creating a coherent theological message from the New Testament. He starts with the core teachings of the Apostle Paul (love, sin, grace, justice, mercy, Christ as Savior and Lord, and the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit for Christian living), and discusses the contribution of Christian existentialism, which stresses a personal encounter and response to the call of God. In the second hour, he introduces the concept of contextualizing the biblical message, discusses the complexity in understanding and applying it, and offers some reflections for modern-day theologians and pastors.