Hermeneutics vs. Theology

I would rather pursue hermeneutics than theology.

While theology (especially Systematic Theology) will produce a multitude of inferential opinions, many even directly contradicting Scripture, hermeneutics pursues the heart and meaning of the declared word of God. This looks to me that hermeneutics is more Spirit-led than human-manipulated. 

While theology oftentimes arrogantly edits the word of God (under the guise or pretense of explanation), heremeneutics tells it like it is, many times contradicting some of the cherished doctrines we grew up with. While systematic theology falsely assumes that it finally gets a corner on God, hermeneutics assumes Psalm 119:96, that even perfection (like systematic theology) has a limit, but the word of God has no limit.

While theology needs hermeneutics to get a kick-start. Hermeneutics, when applied correctly, assuming that we have the same "common sense" as God when it comes to revelation and communication, never needs theology.

Taking a course on theology simply dwells on the opinions of various theologians. Taking a course on hermeneutics always points directly to the Word of God. From my personal connections with seminary students and instructors, theology has caused students to leave the ministry while hermeneutics develops a healthy hunger for the heart and will of God, more often than not, unedited by personal opinion. Theology develops the ego while hermeneutics develops the heart.

Theology evolves into eisegesis once the theologian thinks he has a corner on the truth. He begins to look for supporting verses in Scripture subconsciously narrowing his perspective, instead of always looking at the big picture, giving a big propensity for corruption of his interpretations. Hermeneutics on the other hand is always exegetical by which the honest interpreter is willing to synthesize, revise or even trash his previous conclusions once he finds that Scripture does not support them fully. Hermeneutics demands intellectual honesty while theology at best only demands intellectual consistency. But such consistency is often achieved by ignoring or discrediting Scripture that contradicts his theories or previous findings, even when they are the declared truths of God. Most theologians resort to inventing philosophical jargon (a legacy from the Greeks) to hide their confusion or ignorance.

Many theologians contradict their own writings later in their lives, sometimes, with regret. Hermeneutics, on the other hand, has very little regret and nothing to recant but to accept that God had a purpose earlier in speaking to him one way, but finally evolving into a deeper knowledge of truth and the heart of God.

In conclusion, we should have more passion for "what sayeth the Lord" than for vain intellectual pursuits that appear to make us intelligent before men. Theology breeds false prophets. Honest hermeneutics corrects them. 

The bottom line: We need to spend more time finding possible alternative interpretations of passages based on the explicit declarations and less time trying to protect our cherished doctrines. I am sure we would learn more about God and his work and gain more blessing with this approach.

It is of utmost importance in hermeneutics that we do not merely read the word of God in Greek or in Hebrew, but that we also read it in the Holy Spirit (as the famous Pentecostal founder-plumber-evangelist, Sam Wigglesworth, puts it).