Between Quranism and more traditional forms of Islam: Authority and Hermeneutics

Between Quranism and more traditional forms of Islam (Sunni, Shia, Ibadi etc), there is the tension between the transhistory and hierohistory latent in the Qur'an very basic structure, discourse, doctrines and themes, and the actual historical context that chapters and verses are revealed it.

The Qur'an, as a transhistorical, hierohistorical, divine, sacred scripture of the speech of God, it is itself a talismanic unveiling within any point in history, as it points to the metaphysical nucleus which embodies any point in time, it is universal.

However the reception of the Qur'an itself and the Prophet who received it, is himself a part of this transhistory, this hierohistory in the same manner that the other prior Prophets mentioned in this scripture itself by the very fact of their inclusion.

Quranism, at the least, provides us with an important reminder about how the scripture, while being linked to rich streams of hermeneutical tradition spanning 1400 years, is itself also transcendent of it, but not separate from it. Quranism shows us that scripture is a vital well always renewing itself within any time period. The problem them comes down to orthodoxy and heresy in terms of action and belief, as too much emphasis placed on the subjective, personal, individual interpretation alone spawns fundamentalism (however light or extreme). 

In terms of Shi'ism, this however is, in terms of Prophetic and post-prophetic hermeneutic, it is embodied in the concept of Walaya (Imamate), the raison de etre of Shia Islam. The hermeneutic is once exoteric through the Prophet (who is the Law instructor), even though the Prophet himself was very esoterically inclined. The esoteric hermeneutic, the life itself of the text being revitalized through the successive Imamate whom are themselves pieces of the hierohistory, and like the Prophet himself and his life, a reflection back to the past Prophets, so to does the events in the lives of the Imams reflect this same concept. As does their hermeneutic destroy the 'dead letter' idea surrounding various factions of scripture hermeneutic. 

The lesson is to not straight-jacket the scripture, as it is living in our times. This goes both ways.