Hermeneutics Proficiency Exam

1.	Interpret Lv.20:27 
A.	What genre(s)?

B.	Is it directly binding on us today (should we execute mediums)? Why or why not?

C.	What is the significance for us today?

2.	Interpret Nm.27:1-11(why was it written?) and explain the significance for today. 
A.	What genre(s)?

B.	Is it directly binding on us today? Why or why not?

C.	What is the significance for us today?

3.	Interpret Ps.88:13-18 
A.	What genre(s)? 

B.	What does it teach us about God? 

C.	What are the implications for how we should live today?

4.	Interpret Pr.26:1-12, and give an example of how you might fulfill that purpose in your life. 
What genre(s)?

What wisdom principle is being taught?

5.	Interpret Isa.7:14-17.  What did Isaiah mean by that passage when he wrote it, and what significance is there for us today?
A.	What genre(s)? 

B.	What does it teach us about God? 

C.	What are the implications for how we should live today?

6.	Interpret Lk.15:8-10 (why was it written?) and explain the significance for today.
A.	What genre(s)? 

B.	What is the main purpose of the passage?

C.	What does it teach us about God? 

D.	What are the implications for how we should live today?

7.	Interpret Mt.10:1 (why was it written?) and explain the significance for today.
A.	What genre(s)? 

B.	What is the main purpose of the passage?

C.	What are the implications for us today?

8.	Interpret Heb.12:15 (why was it written?) and explain the significance for today.
A.	What genre(s)? 

B.	What does the bitter root signify?  

C.	What are the implications for how we should live today?

9.	How does an interpreter know if something is figurative or literal?  Briefly describe the process for interpreting a figure of speech using an example from Scripture.

10.	Find a passage in the Bible that will help a person who struggles with anger.  Show the exact step(s) the person should take that come out of that passage and that the passage itself indicates will be a solution.

11.	Do the same thing for someone with a habit he can’t break.

12. Name as many different types of literature (genres) in Scripture as you can from memory.

13. Explain the principle of authorial intent.

14. What should you do when passages in Scripture seem to contradict? 

a. Interpret the more obscure ones in light of the clearer ones (adjust your interpretation of the obscure ones to harmonize with the clearer).

b. Assume there is an error in your interpretation of one or both passages. Rather than adjusting your interpretation, re-do your exegesis of both passages until you find the error. If you do not find one, hold to your original interpretations and allow tension in your theological system rather than compromise your method of interpretation.