14 - Midrash/Pesher and Hermeneutics

Midrash/Pesher is a principle in Rabbinic hermeneutics that often seems to go against the plain meaning of the text, which seems to contradict the historical/grammatical interpretation of a text. Based upon a faulty definition as to what it meant by the midrash and pesher principal, has led to two negative scenarios. In liberalism, this has tended to lead to a denial of biblical authority and a denial that the New Testament is the inspired Word of God. Among some evangelicals, such as Robert Gundry in his commentary on the Book of Matthew, claims that the visit of the wise men is a midrash and should not be taken as a real historical event. The implication here is that when rabbis practice midrashic interpretation, they deny the actual literal intent of the passage itself. These issues will be dealt with in this paper. ...

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum was unable to attend at the last moment. His paper is included in the notes link below.