Illumination and Interpretation: The Holy Spirit's Role in Hermeneutics

Synopsis: The Holy Spirit's ministry of illumination is a commonly misunderstood doctrine, both pragmatically and theologically. As a result, this divine activity is often neglected, but it should be recognized that it is indispensable for the hermeneutical endeavor. This distinctive work seeks to take an apparently abstract concept and make it concrete by establishing proper categories and definitions for the doctrine of illumination while reemphasizing the cooperation of Word and Spirit. In doing so, this book treats issues such as the relationship between illumination and other hermeneutical doctrines, the accessibility of the Spirit's illumination when interpreting the Scriptures, and the question of unregenerate biblical interpretation. Accordingly, Illumination and Interpretation presents a biblical-theological evaluation of the Spirit's work of illumination for the transformative purpose of understanding how to appropriate this vital hermeneutical doctrine into one's faith and practice. Author Biography: M. X. Seaman (PhD in Biblical Theology) is a pastor-theologian who is a church planter and an adjunct professor. Along with his wife and two daughters, he resides in Toronto, Ontario.