Exegetical Method

Exegetical MethodStudy Conclusionof Parts about WholeInduction:A. An Inductive Method

Exegetical MethodStudy Conclusionthe Whole about PartsVersus Deduction:A. An Inductive Method

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive MethodAn inductive method is a good starting point even though deduction is a valid and necessary method for theology.

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive MethodExample: Studying James message without interpreting James by means of Romans.

1. Key: Study a particular passage in its own context (book) without reference to other biblical books.

We must let the individual voices [of the biblical authors] speak if we are to allow the New Testament to articulate a word that may contravene our own values and desires. Otherwise, we are likely to succumb to the temptation of flipping to some comforting cross-reference to neutralize the force of any particularly challenging passage we may encounter.

[Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament , 188]

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive MethodHistorical Setting in ViewKeep Whole Book in Viewa. Big Picture Mentality2. Skills to Cultivate

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive Method2. Skills to CultivateThemes, Images, EffectsQuestions RaisedInitial Impressionsb. Listening to the Text

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive Method2. Skills to CultivateDisciplined ParaphraseFocused on Central Point(s)c. Summarization

Exegetical MethodA. An Inductive Method2. Skills to Cultivated. Reading as Original Audience [as much as we are able]

d. Reading as Original AudienceExample: Parable of the Good Samaritan [Lk 10](1) Lack of Information aboutOriginal Setting Barriers:

d. Reading as Original AudienceExample: Old Testament law read through eyes of Reformation issues(2) Contemporary Issues Cloud the Texts True FocusBarriers:

d. Reading as Original AudienceBarriers:Example: Pharisee and the Tax-Collector [Lk 18](3) Overexposure to the Text

d. Reading as Original AudienceReading as original audience helps us discover the original meaning (the authors original message)

Exegetical MethodB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines1. Reflect on PresuppositionsMatthew 2: Who is Herod? Who does he work for?

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines2. Identify Context (historical backdrop)a. AADP

AADP

(1) Author(4) Purpose(3) Date(2) Audience

(1) Author: Paul (in prison)Ephesians 2:11-22(2) Audience: Ephesians or broader church audience(3) Date: A.D. 58-62(4) Purpose: Encouragement to be the church

4. Research Background Information

b. Historical Issues in PassageExample: Covenants (2:12)Example: Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines3. Identify Genre (kind of literature)

3. Identify the GenreIdentify the Literary Form(s) inthe Text (1) Three Primary Biblical Genres(a) Narrative(b) Poetry(c) Epistle

3. Identify the Genreb. Consult Secondary Sources for Tendencies of/Principles for Interpreting Genres

Once upon a time

At 9pm on Wed. evening, an unidentified gunman entered the Burger King on Valley Creek Road and began to shoot

Dear John

Roses and red,Violets are blue

Here it comes..the dreaded Christmas letter. This one will be filled to the brim with all manner of posturing and grandiose self-congratulatory statements.

2. Identify Context

3. Identify GenreB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines4. Identify the Text and Cotext

Identify the Text and Cotext

Goal: To avoid proof-texting.[taking verses out of cotext]

Identify the Text and Cotext

Are Gods consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from you mouth?[Eliphaz in Job 15:12-13]

a. The Whole Book(1) Read through for Overview(2) Outline Book: Natural Divisions(3) Title Sections (5) Identify Purpose(s)(4) Identify Major Themes

Outline of EphesiansEph 1:1-3:21Gods Purposes for the ChurchEph 4:1-6:24Live In the Light of His Purposes

a. The Whole Bookb. The Larger Sectionc. The Immediate Contextd. Reassessment of Texts BoundariesIdentify the Text and Cotext

Ephesians 2:1-10: Old Life before SalvationIt is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. [2:8-9]Gods intent was that now, through the church, the multifaceted wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers authorities in the heavenly realms. [3:10]Ephesians 3:1-13: Pauls Mission to Gentiles

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and CotextB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines5. Carefully Study the Text

Study the Text or Passage[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

a. Outline the Passage: Find Major Sections and Title

2:11-12 Remember Former ExclusionEphesians 2:11-22 2:13-18 Present Reconciliation through Christ 2:19-22 Inclusion into Gods People

Study the Text/Passage[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

a. Outline the Passage: Find Major Sections and Title b. Map the Passagec. Identify Key Ideas (put in sentence form)

1. The Gentiles were being reminded of their former life of separation from God and God's people. 2. Christ made peace between the two groups, unifying them and reconciling them both to God. 3. The Gentiles were thereby enfolded into God's household, his building, his temple.

Study the Text/Passage[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

d. Research Key Words/Phrases[original language caution]e. Consult Commentaries

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and CotextB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines5. Carefully Study the Text6. Summarize the Key Ideas of the Text

Ephesians 2:11-22Paul reminded his Gentile audience that, even though they had been formerly alienated from God, they were now reconciled with God and Gods people through Christ and, as a result, an integral part of the people of God indwelt by Gods spirit.

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and CotextB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines5. Carefully Study the Text6. Summarize the Key Ideas7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological Story

7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological StoryUse of OT Citations of Allusions Is OT used to support the argument? To evoke a part of Israels story? To provide an analogy? To stress continuity between OT and NT?

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and CotextB. Nine Exegesis Guidelines5. Carefully Study the Text6. Summarize the Key Ideas7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological Story8. Delineate Relevant Implications for Today

Paul reminded his Gentile audience that, even though they had been formerly alienated from God, they were now reconciled with God and Gods people through Christ and, as a result, an integral part of the people of God indwelt by Gods spirit.ORYOURE IN!!NO MORE EXCLUSION!

A Vision of the Church:At peace with God and reconciled and in unity with one another through Christ

9. Rethinking our Presuppositions: Are we being transformed?1. Reflect on Presuppositions that Impact Interpretation of a Passage Impact of Conversations with others Transformation that has occurred

Studying the Bible Historically and Inductively:Like visiting a foreign country

Reading the Bible Devotionally: Studying the Bible Historically and Inductively: Like visiting a foreign countryLike visiting an old & dear friend