14. Analysis of Context

When the segments are separated by the methods of form criticism the statements that are together should have a similar context. In our hermeneutics method we look to the layered context of these segments not just the cultural context of normal hermeneutics. The information within a segment has a context that can be used to determine the best method of layering.

Incidental context means that in spite of the fact that information is together in a segment, the information actually does not have a context. It was just incidental that the information occurred in the segment together.

A more common type of context is temporal context. This is where the information does not have a lot in common, but it needs to be used here at this time along with the other information in this segment. The synchronous nature of the information is present and may be required. This is slightly greater context than the incidental.

Statistical context has to do with the fact that much information has statistical significance. This means the information has a context but the importance of that context is less obvious.

The next level of context is administrative. This is for the information that must be brought together for some required processing form, but does not have further context relationships. Once this information is used the need to be together may be lost.

Functional data context is demonstrated by the fact that information is here in order to complete a specific process. In this case the information absolutely must be here. Such segments are extremely cohesive. Such segment can be the basis for developing the understanding of lesser relationships.

A final form of information context is establishing the information in some kind of table structure. This is a structural context. This information will have a structural context and must be kept together.

Jerome Heath