A Hermeneutics of Suspicion

DAILY BYTE

It’s about a decade now since I completed my last Biblical studies course at University. One of the ways that we were taught to read the Bible back then was with what is called a ‘Hermeneutics of Suspicion.’

Hermeneutics is a fancy way of describing how we read and interpret the Bible, and the basic idea behind a ‘Hermeneutics of Suspicion is that we were taught to have a healthy suspicion over everything that we read, especially if it claims any authority (like the Bible).

So we had to examine and cross-examine the text in an attempt to find any hidden agendas the author/s may have had in order to expose them. This is all well and good, and can be a very helpful way of reading the Bible but it is certainly not the best way. To grow in faith, we need to read with a sense of wonder and hope not suspicion.

Have you ever noticed though, that some people learn to read or interpret ALL of life with a ‘Hermeneutics of Suspicion’? Sometimes life’s hard experiences teach us to view everything with wariness that it just might kick us in the teeth.

This could well have been how Sarah learnt to live. Sarah (of Abraham and Sarah fame) lived in an age where society moulded their women to believe their entire self-worth, and very reason for being, was found in their ability to bear children, most specifically male heirs. Sarah had spent her life-time being unable to do so, probably struggling with her barrenness until it touched her very soul.

In today’s focus reading, a divine messenger promises children to Abraham and Sarah (this was not the first time this promise had been made to them). Only it seemed ridiculous to hear these promises when your womb was the wrong side of 90. And so Sarah laughed – a laugh of cynical suspicion borne out of a life-time of pain and hurt, of unanswered prayers and of battling the slow creep of despair.

Sarah’s laugh really sums up her own battle with a hermeneutics of suspicion. A battle that many of us probably share in, especially in today’s social climate.

This is why we will spend the rest of this week learning from Sarah’s story, in the hope that it will inspire the rest of us to learn to view life with something a great deal better than suspicion.

PRAY AS YOU GO

God of Life and Grace, we ask that you would use this week to open our hearts and minds to new ways of reading and interpreting our experiences. Help us to learn to see through your eyes. Amen.

FOCUS READING

Genesis 18 : 10-12 NRSV

They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There in the tent.” Then one said, I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”