Austin Bible Church
Biblical hermeneutics is the science of interpretation of the Bible and the methods of that interpretation. Biblical hermeneutics follow the I.C.E. principles of interpretation – Isagogics, Categories, Exegesis.
Isagogics
Isagogics is the basic principle of interpretation of the Bible. The Bible must be interpreted in the framework of its own historical setting, in the time in which it was written. Isagogics means that a pastor must be able to go back and reconstruct the life and the customs and the times as they relate to the words and usage of the words in the Bible in the original languages. The meaning of a word in the ancient world is determined by its usage.
Categories
Categorical teaching is comparing Scripture to determine doctrinal classification. A biblical subject may be taught in a number of passages (doctrine of War, Marriage, etc.), but these passages are pulled together for your understanding. Each verse or passage will add something that the others do not. Isaiah 28:10; Isaiah 28:13; 1 Cor. 2:13-14.
""For He says, 'Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.'"" (Isaiah 28:10, NASB)
"So the word of the LORD to them will be, "Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there," That they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive." (Isaiah 28:13, NASB)
"which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." (1 Corinthians 2:13-14, NASB)
Exegesis
Exegesis is the analysis of the Bible verse by verse within its grammar, syntax, and etymology - not only the verse itself, but the context as well. Grammar is the features of a language considered in all its parts like tense, mood, voice, etc. Syntax is putting the features together and realizing the significance of them. The application of grammar is so the pattern and the precise meaning are readily understood. For example, the significance of the aorist active indicative. Etymology is how the word was used at the time in which it was written.