The Homiletical Implications in Light of Paul Ricoeur’s Theory of Interpretation

This paper seeks to explore the homiletical implications of the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. In today’s world—a time marked by complexity and the coexistence of diverse perspectives—how should preachers read and proclaim the Bible? Approaches that focus solely on the historical facts of the past or that emphasize only the immediate personal message fall short of capturing the depth of the biblical text. It is at this point that Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutical theory offers meaningful insight.

Ricoeur argues that texts like the Bible open up the possibility of “encounter” with the reader. Without ignoring the historical background of the text, he explains how it can come alive in new ways for contemporary readers. Such an interpretive approach is far more suitable for today’s audience, who often possess critical and complex worldviews. Rather than reducing Scripture to a single fixed meaning, this perspective invites readers to explore the rich and layered significance embedded within the text.

Preachers, after all, are readers too. Ricoeur emphasizes that the reader of Scripture should not merely “understand” its meaning, but also “explain” it and ultimately “appropriate” it into one’s own life. Through this process, the preacher enters into the world opened up by the biblical text and learns a new way of being. The world that Scripture unveils does not merely repeat truths from the past—it invites us into a renewed way of living here and now.

This paper applies Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation to the task of preaching, exploring how it might shape the preacher’s perspective when interpreting and proclaiming the Bible. It presents six specific directions to support a hermeneutical approach to preaching and demonstrates that Scripture is not merely a tool for instruction, but a transformative text that leads to real life change. Ultimately, this paper aims to guide preachers on a journey of seeing a new world through Scripture and being transformed into new beings within it.