Isagogics vs. Hermuneutics

I posted here about an update on the former Issues, Etc. radio program's sudden departure from the air waves. Within that post I referred to a book I was reading (A Seminary in Crisis by Paul Zimmerman).

One of the immediate concerns of what lead to the Seminex problem, most noted for the walk-out in 1974, was a difference in the way that Scripture was being interpreted.

Heidi wanted to know if isogagics was the same as hermuneutics.

Hermuneutics is the interpretation of Scripture. Isogagics is what the interpretation is based on. A small distinction, but an important one.

For instance, what was occurring at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, beginning as far back as post-WWII, was that professors at Concordia were basing their interpretation upon historical context, secular norms from the time of the Old and New Testament, and leaning unto man's interpretation of events from those times.

This is a huge distinction from former Lutheran thought (and probably other denominational thought, I'm just not certain) in that Lutheran's have always viewed the Bible above man's interpretation. It is taught (or should be) to all catechumens as they begin to understand their faith within the context of the Bible.

So the battle that was occurring within the LCMS was one of how to cling to God's Word: through the lens of man's interpretation or through the lens of trusting in God's Word. We can't and won't always understand everything, and I would posit that we aren't necessarily supposed to. Instead we are to cling to our faith and the simple Word of God via the help of the Holy Spirit.

A great discussion can be found in the Issues, Etc. archives site, from a program on February 7, 2007, hours 2 and 3. Thanks to Pastor's McCain's post that helped me find it!