Hermeneutics and Sermon: Hildegard of Bingen's Visions of Power

This essay delves into the study of hermeneutics, particularly focusing on its application in interpreting religious texts and sermons, with a specific emphasis on the works of Hildegard of Bingen. It examines the historical context of hermeneutics, highlighting the importance of sermons in conveying the meaning of biblical passages and moral teachings. The essay discusses various types of sermons, such as narrative, topical, expository, and exegetical, and analyzes how different hermeneutic strategies, including literal, moral, allegorical, and anagogical interpretations, contribute to a deeper understanding of religious texts. It further explores Hildegard of Bingen's preference for expository sermons and her insights on using hermeneutic methods to enhance the teaching and comprehension of biblical content, emphasizing the practical application of these principles in everyday life. The document is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources.

Hermeneutics

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3

MAIN BODY
The hermeneutics is being defined as the study of the interpretation relating to any of the
subject. The use of hermeneutics is very important in order to interpret the long saying from the
different religious books and bibles. This is specifically used in case of reading and interpreting
the bible. This disciple of hermeneutics specifically depends on theology that is Biblical studies
only.
History
Within hermeneutics the use of sermon is very important in order to improve the
interpretation of the Bible or any other type of the religious books. The sermon is being defined
as the discourse or way of delivering the speech among public by a preacher or any saint at the
worship service or area1. This is very essential for the delivery of the different types of the issues
relating to moral topic, theological aspects, scriptural, spiritual and many other different moral
topics. The major elements of sermon involve aspects like exhortation, exposition and practical
application. Also the act for delivering a sermon is known as preaching. Further with regards to
secular use, sermon may be defined as a lecture which is being given on the moral values. The
bible relating to Christian people includes many different types of speech which do not have any
of the interpretation or meaning to it. Hence, the various types of hermeneutics strategies will be
assisting sermon in delivering the proper meaning of the things which wrote in bible or any other
religious books.
Significance
There are different types of sermon which can be used by the theologian or any other
saint in order to provide their preaching to others. This is particularly necessary for the reason
that there is different level of understanding and way of preaching is also different for every
person. Hence, it is very crucial for the preacher that they must select the proper and specific
type of sermon so that the proper knowledge and learning can be shared with others and their
level of knowledge is also increased2. The use of sermon is significant because it includes four
1 Hashemi, Maryam. "Hermeneutic reading of Imam Ali’s 40th Sermon on adopting peace strategy Based on
Schleiermacher’s author-centered hermeneutic theory." Imam Ali΄ s Studies 12, no. 24 (2022): 155-178.
2 Ghosh, Kantik. "‘And so it is licly to men’: Probabilism and Hermeneutics in Wycliffite Discourse." The Review of
English Studies 70, no. 295 (2019): 418-436.

different types of elements that is explanation, illustration, argumentation and its application as
well. all these elements are very important to be analysed and implemented during preaching.
This is pertaining to the fact that the bible speeches are written in complex language and it is
very important to first explain the writing in better and effective manner. Along with this the
illustration that is explanation with help of examples will be assistive in explaining the meaning
of speech to the listener3. Along with this another important element relating to the sermon is the
use of argumentation. This is also an important aspect of sermon and its uses. This is an
important aspect because the people are different in attitude and perception and it might be
possible that for all the speeches some of the people are in favour and some in against. Hence,
this will be resulting in argumentation which is also very essential for healthy understanding and
development of speech among the different people attending the learning. at last the application
is also very important for the effective use of sermon. This is particularly because of the reason
that when the learning will not be applied within practice then there is not any utility of using
sermon and providing preaching by people.
She has also written exegesis which can be referred to as the critical interpretation
relating to the different types of text. This is very necessary to be listed and written because it
assist the reader in understanding the work in better and effective manner. Within the work of
John there is mention of the exegesis being written by Hildegard and this is also included in a
song. In addition to this, the visual exegesis was also prepared by her along with the
illuminations. This exegesis as described in work of John included the passage relating to
scripture and also the different theological questions. Along with this the two issues were also
highlighted in exegesis in form of hagiographic texts involving information relating to lives of
saints Martin and Nicholas. Further within the exegesis she expressed her views relating to
schoolmates performing the neglecting patristic contemporary working. Also she highlighted
herself as a person who is totally working in reviving and continuing the practices of teaching to
the doctor.
Strategies
Further with regards to use of sermon there are different types hermeneutics strategies
being available which can be used in order to implement different types of sermon in better way.
3 Breimaier, Thomas Andrew. "Cross in the Tabernacle: Charles Haddon Spurgeon & Biblical hermeneutics."
(2018).

The different types of sermon include narrative, topical, expository, exegetical, selection and
many other different types of sermon. All these type of sermon assist the person in providing the
preaching in better manner. The narrative sermon is the one which outlines the biblical story
telling and then drawing on the conclusion from it. In accordance to the theologian Hildegard of
Bingen states that the narrative sermon is the one which is very simple and easy to use. This is
pertaining to the fact that this is the simplest way of sharing the preaching and learning of bible
to other person. This is very important for the reason that in this type of sermon simply the text is
being narrated and this will help the person to share the knowledge in better and effective
manner4. Along with this, another type of sermon is topical wherein a topic is being selected and
there are varied range of scriptures being gathered form the whole bible. Another type that is
expository is the type of sermon which focuses on process of exposing5. This kind of preacher
just take one passage of data and then first exposes that is being written in it. Along with this the
sermon names exegetical sermon is the one which relates with the exegesis. This is a process
wherein the intensive study is being conducted relating to God’s word and leading to identify the
hidden meaning being provided within that text.
With this it is clear that there are different types of sermon which can be used by
theologians and other preachers. The use of all these sermons are assistive in providing the work
and knowledge in better and effective way. Out of all these sermons, Hildegard of Bingen prefers
to use expository sermon within the study and preaching of different aspect of bible and other
religious aspect. This type of sermon is being selected by the person as this will be improving
and assisting them to work in better and effective manner. Furthermore, this type of sermon will
be providing assistance to the people who have a deep insight for learning the different aspect
relating to Gods’ word. Also this type of sermon is also used in case of the kind of people who
possess the desire of applying the principle of God within their everyday life. In accordance to
Hildegard of Bingen it is clear that the use of expository sermon is very beneficial as this will be
providing a better learning to them as this method focuses on the bringing out the application of
the learning from the bible and other religious books. Many a times person reads the bible but it
4 Damayanti, Erika, Yusuf Slamet Handoko, Wahyu Wijiati, and Yosua Sibarani. "Online Sermon: Challenges and
Opportunities for Christian Preachers in the Industrial Revolution 4.0." In International Conference on Theology,
Humanities, and Christian Education (ICONTHCE 2021), pp. 83-86. Atlantis Press, 2022.
5 Ferguson, Jamie H. "Tradition and Invention in the and Sermons of John Donne." In Reformation Hermeneutics
and Literary Language in Early Modern England, pp. 207-244. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2022.

is not necessary that they understand each and every line of the reading. Hence this type of
sermon will be helping the preacher to provide the inner meaning of the text and with help of this
only the person can identify that whether they have learnt the things needed or not.
Along with this Hildegard of Bingen stated that there are different types of the
hermeneutics strategies as well which can be used for better use of sermon. The hermeneutics is
being defined as the practice and theory which states that how the speech is being interpreted and
understanding is being developed relating to the speech being present in the bible and other
books6. According to Hildegard of Bingen the use of hermeneutics strategies is assistive in
implementing the interpretation in better and clear understandable manner. There are different
hermeneutics methods and strategies which Hildegard of Bingen has stated helpful in providing
interpretation to the bible words and different text being present there.
The first type of the hermeneutic strategy is the literal interpretation. This is a type of the
interpretation which focuses on outlining the plan meaning of the words being mentioned in the
text. This does not involve the use of other complex style of hermeneutic strategy and it simply
focuses on presenting the simple meaning of the data in better and effective manner7. Along with
this Hildegard of Bingen states that this type of strategy focuses on the just outlining the
grammatical construction and general meaning of the text being highlighted in the book. In
addition to this another type of the hermeneutic strategy is moral interpretation which focuses on
establishing the exegetical principles relating to different part of Bible. This is very essential to
be followed according to Hildegard of Bingen because in this type of strategy the major focus is
being laid over the ethical lessons being learnt from the text and not the general meaning of the
data. This is very important to be evaluated because of the reason that general meaning of the
text is being understood easily by the person and it is necessary to learn the moral and ethical
lessons from it. Hence, this type of the strategy will be providing a better base to the learner for
understanding the actual meaning of the text being provided within Bible.
Furthermore, another type of hermeneutic strategy being favoured by Hildegard of
Bingen for sermon and its usage is the allegorical interpretation. This type of interpretation
6 Fulton, Thomas, and Kristen Poole. "Popular Hermeneutics in Shakespeare’s London." In The Bible on the
Shakespearean Stage: Cultures of Interpretation in Reformation England, pp. 1-14. Cambridge University Press,
2018.
7 Fisher, Earle J. "Introducing Sermonic Militancy--A Call Toward More Revolutionary Homiletics and
Hermeneutics." Journal of Communication & Religion 44, no. 3 (2021).

majorly focuses on the interpretation relating to the having a second level of reference as
narrative. The narrative includes the analysis of just the meaning but this allegorical focuses on
the linking of the relation being present between the normal meaning and the learning which are
actually present within the external environment. This is a type of strategy with help of which the
learning of the bible can be applied within the practical working life. At last the final type of
hermeneutic strategy for managing sermon is the anagogical or mystical interpretation. This is a
type of interpretation which assist the preacher to relate the events of bible with the prefigure the
lie to come8. Along with Hildegard of Bingen, Jewish Kabbala also states that this type of
interpretation is much better and this need to be linked with the external working patterns and
analysis. Hence, with this it can be stated that the use of all these different types of sermon the
use of different hermeneutic strategies is important in order to improve the teaching and level of
knowledge of the people with regards to the bible and other religious aspects.
In the end it is inferred from the study that sermon is very important in order to improve
the working efficiency and capability of the person with regards to the religious knowledge. This
is pertaining to the fact that when the working of the people will be in accordance to the bible
and other religious offerings then this will be improving the efficiency of them and people will
connect more with religion and one another. Hence, for this it is necessary for the preachers and
theologian to make use of the effective type of sermon and the hermeneutic strategies for better
teaching and preaching relating to the religion and related services.
8 Gador-Whyte, Sarah, and Andrew Mellas. Hymns, Homilies and Hermeneutics in Byzantium. Brill, 2020.