On Hermeneutics

The practice of interpreting texts is complex, and the problem is made worse when texts seem alien to the reader. How can we overcome barriers to understanding? Where do we start, and what must we do? And what is hermeneutics anyway?

This beginner's handbook on hermeneutics provides a simple approach to textual interpretation, introducing a method that is holistic and humane, focused on listening and openness. We must take account of our presuppositions, analyze literary and historical-grammatical contexts, and organize our thoughts based on the meanings we discover. And then we must act, verifying or falsifying what we have found. This open content book is an essential guide for students as they interpret texts of all kinds, and is meant as a companion for writing and research. Helpful notes are provided for key concepts, and each step of the process is briefly explained, along with questions for further analysis.