A Contemporary Consideration of Introductory Hermeneutics

This study is an introductory study of four aspects of hermeneutics: its origin, the hermeneutical circle, the application and metacriticism as well as a postmodern view of hermeneutics, the subjectivity of hermeneutics, and AI’s impact on hermeneutics. First, besides the legend of God Hermes, the oracle in the Old Testament introduced as a possibly related origin of hermeneutics. In addition, the meanings of hermeneutics are explicated, as well. Second, the definition a development of the hermeneutical circle are discussed in a comparative way. Especially, Gadamer's conceptions of historicity and temporality are stressed and then illustrated. And the different views by Hirsch, Gadamer, Heidegger are compared on a theoretical basis. Third, I use the genealogies of Jesus Christ and Ecclesiastes to explain the application of hermeneutics. Fourth, metacriticism is introduced as a way of judging the validity of literary and theological criticisms. And finally, a contemporary consideration of hermeneutics is extended to a postmodern of hermeneutics, the subjectivity of hermeneutics, and AI’s impact on hermeneutics.