Seekers After Truth - BCISSConference2012

8/16/2019 Seekers After Truth - BCISSConference2012

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Seekers after Truth:Cross-Disciplinary Insights for the IntelligenceProfession from the Biblical and Theological

Studies Disciplines

Presentation by Howard ClarkeBCISS Conference on Intelligence Analysis

Brunel University

July 2012


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Agenda

A. Introduction: background & context

B. Exploration of Exegetical & Hermeneutical Issues

C. Theological Studies as a Problem-based

Exploration of “So-What?” Issues

D. Discussion of Findings and Potential Cross-

Disciplinary Implications


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A. Introduction: Context and Rationale

Nexus between Intelligence & Biblical Studies Central Intelligence Agency, John 8:32 and the Use of Scripture

What is truth? whose truth? truth in what context?

Biblical theology – threat – risk dimensions, and unknown futures

Is there methodological common ground?

an intelligence practitioner perspective

exploratory reflections


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Definitions

Exegesis: refers to careful investigation of the original

meaning of texts in their historical and literary contexts.Hermeneutics: refers to the theory, methodology of

interpretation, especially of scriptural texts; focus on the

applied meaning in the contemporary context Theology: the study of the nature of God and religious

truth


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Conceptual Framework: Disciplines Compared


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Data availability

challenges

Challenges in correctly

discerning context: both

Subjects (SOIs) & users

Complexity of

the issues

Critical thinking

& attitudinal

challenges

Challenges Compared

Some Common Challenges –

Biblical Interpretation & Intelligence Analysis

“Loaded”issues – high

sensitivity &

impact

Dangers of denial,

deception &

“wilderness of

mirrors”


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Textual Criticism: best data, source provenance,

evaluative criteria, internal and external evidence,alternative hypotheses

Exegetical Method: exegetical mindset, appropriatetools, skillful application

Historical Method: assessing the historical viability ofthe biblical data, criteria for assessing plausibility, balance

of probabilities

B. Exploration of Exegetical and

Hermeneutical Issues


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Interpretation: Big

Picture View

Adapted from

Richard J. Erickson


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Ex

egesis“(Exegesis) is primarily a listening device, a systematized

process we can use for projecting ourselves backwardinto the cultural settings out of which the biblical

documents arose. Once there, we can more accurately

hear the message as its authors first delivered it. And

once that or something close to it is clearer to us, we are

more likely to hear the message the Scripture has for us

in our own settings…” (emphasis added)

- Richard Erickson

Applicability for the intelligence practitioner?


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Practitioner Reflection

Sometimes we rush into interpretation before we have

carefully observed & sensitively listened to the data – we have not studied the data on their own terms, we

have overlaid our own presuppositions, biases, and

mindset.

We have not listened, we have not heard, we have not

learned …


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Summative Example – Quest for the

Hermeneutical Jesus (Stewart) Approach the [Jesus] texts with an open mind

Presuppositions must be clearly stated and open to critique

Seek to understand what a text says before assessing a text

theologically (i.e. careful, sensitive reading precedes

interpretation and advising)

Proper hermeneutic for historical Jesus research must be

multi-disciplinary

Recognition of worldviews ( all parties)

Recognition of genre and form (in communication)

Recognition of intentionality (intended purpose, meanings)

Test the logic of explicit or implicit historical arguments


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C. Theology: as Exploration of Interpretative

Implications and “So-What?” Issues Applicable focus –perceived or conceivable real problems ,

perceived or conceivable real threats

“..you cannot go from books to problems, but the reverse, fromproblems to books…” - Nassim Taleb The Black Swan

Danger of “locking out” truth due to overriding

presuppositions “Unturned” Stones – potential productive avenues not

pursued in this presentation

Polanyi, Lonergan, Peirce, Popper, Lakatos, Teilhard de Chardin)

Interconnectivity of related disciplines – science,

philosophy, religion

“All truth is God’s truth …”


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Opportunities for Contemporary Application Multi-disciplinary implications – appropriate use of

ethnographic, religious, cultural analysis in intelligence

Implications for enhanced understanding of religious

extremism and terrorist mindsets

Domestic religious extremist threats

Militaristic, extremist Islamic Jihad – ‘hate wrapped in religion’

Other religious-based terrorism activities

Example: Radical Apocalyptic Logic and the Iranian Nuclear Threat – per Walton & Flannery (2012) – i.e. danger of an overlooked

lose-lose scenario due to misreading adversary’s apocalyptic mindset

& logic, and a theologically-driven end-game


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Shared ‘Best Practice’ Values - Biblical

Interpretation & Intelligence Analysis

Appropriate tools used

at the right time, in the

correct manner

Best available

data

Source

Evaluation &

Data

Validation

Optimized analysis as

a community effort

Intellectual &

attitudinal openness

Use of

Structured

methods

Clarity of

purpose

Importance of

contextual analysis

Appropriate focus

on client /

decision-maker

needs

Awareness of

“inhibitors”


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Conclusion: Where To From Here?

Potential linkage - fertile field of research on the nexus

between Religion and Science Potential linkage - studies of how knowledge & insight are

generated, willingness to move beyond the boundaries of

scientific, critical methodologies Further research - making it practitioner-relevant

Presenter Details:

Howard Clarke

177-4438 West 10th Ave,

Vancouver B.C. V6R 4R8 Canada

[email protected]

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Seekers After Truth - BCISSConference2012

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