A Holistic Hermeneutical Approach to the ΜΙΣΕΩ Texts in the Gospel of Luke

Abstract

New Testament scholars argue that modern biblical methodology is insular and fragmented. In response, scholars suggest a multi-pronged approach to facilitate the understanding of complex ideas within the biblical text. Accordingly, I illustrate the application of an interdisciplinary approach through a case study of texts containing the Greek word μισέω (to hate) in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke, there are seven instances of μισέω (Luke 1:71; 6:22, 27; 14:26; 16:13; 19:14; 21:17), which scholars have not collectively explored. Attempting to connect these Lukan texts as if μισέω were similarly defined is less helpful than understanding the texts from the perspective of multiple hermeneutical lenses, namely traditional grammatical-historical exegesis, narrative criticism, a theological reading, social identity theory, and an ethical analysis. While the traditional grammatical-historical approach offers considerable insight, this study examines four additional interpretative methods to interpret the seven Lukan μισέω passages. This study argues, two-fold, that the most comprehensive and robust reading of the biblical text can be acquired, not through a single disciplinary approach, but through a multi-dimensional approach, and that while all methods are potentially useful, some will apply to a greater extent than others depending on the text. The results of this study indicate that each method contributed meaningfully and that all methods were helpful for a holistic understanding of the Lukan texts.