BIBLICAL GENRES AND THE INDUCTIVE BIBLE

STUDY METHOD

Summer 2009

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THE INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD

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How and Why to Read Books The Bible is a special book

Divinely inspired, living and active Studying literature vs. studying the Bible

English Scholars have many methods and can have many purposes for interpretation

Good Bible Scholars have many methods, but one purpose

German Higher Criticism – 19th century (Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834), David Friedrich Strauss (1808-74), and Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-72))

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What is Scripture useful for?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

- II Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

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Deduction vs. Induction

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Deductive, or Synthetic Study Gathers propositions from Scripture Arranges them in formal arguments Reasons towards necessary doctrinal

conclusions which may not otherwise have been stated in the Bible

Function: building Biblical doctrine

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What Deductive Bible Study Looks Like Involves examining preselected Biblical

texts Purpose: gather up propositions which

prove a doctrine (e.g., the deity of Christ)

Topical in nature; requires someone to choose the texts and arrange them to make a case

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What Deductive Bible Study Looks Like Basic: student examines a selected

series of Bible texts, then answers questions which will draw out the logical inferences

Advanced: student personally builds and applies Biblical doctrine – also known as research Bible study

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Deductive, cont’d

Strengths: inexperienced Bible students can quickly grasp the essential doctrines of the faith; saves time and effort of assembling the texts on one’s own

Weaknesses: places a great deal of trust in teacher/study preparer; can be susceptible to rigidity/dogma

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Inductive, or Analytical Study Examines larger passages of Scripture

in detail Goal is to understand passages in

context Function: building a general

understanding of the Bible and finding applications

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What Inductive Bible Study Looks Like Involves examining a particular Biblical

passage or book Purpose: to build basic knowledge and

understanding, rather than formulate doctrine

Textual in nature; requires time and careful examination of continuous passages

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What Inductive Bible Study Looks Like Basic: student chooses a large passage

to examine word by word and phrase by phrase, answering a series of “W” questions

Advanced: student gathers information to find patterns or trends in the Bible – also known as theoretical Bible study

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Inductive, cont’d

Strengths: can be done independently of a teacher; facilitates application of scripture to our lives

Weaknesses: the student can become so focused on the details of the text and immediate application that larger picture is lost; may even overlook or disparage doctrine

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The goal of inductive Bible Study: to let the text speak for itself

Therefore, we do not presuppose what the passage says before we study it

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So What? Clearly, the two go hand in hand Inductive study supplies analytical Bible

knowledge and understanding necessary to deductively build doctrine

Deductive study researches and builds doctrine which informs inductive study, enabling the latter to draw out even more meaning from the text

(Harvey Bluedorn, “Inductive and Deductive Bible Studies,” http://www.triviumpursuit.com)

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How to do Inductive Bible Study

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Step One: Prayer

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Why is prayer important? All the study and preparation in the

world does no good if the Holy Spirit is not moving!“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

- John 14:26 (NIV, emphasis mine)“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. “

- John 16:13 (NIV)

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The Three Steps of the Inductive Method

1. Observation

2. Interpretation

3. Application

Which is the most important?

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Observation

Begins by asking, what does the text say?

Examines the following components of any passage:Terms – the meaning of specific wordsStructure – the parts of speech of

sentences; development of paragraphsLiterary Forms –the structure of different

literary genres (more on this later!)Atmosphere – the historical context

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Interpretation Begins by asking, what is the point of the

passage? Only one true interpretation of any passage

of scripture (more on this after lunch!) Examines the following questions of any

passageWhat did the author mean?What principle was the author trying to

communicate?What is the key point of the passage to the

original readers?

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Application

Begins by asking the question, what does the principle of the passage mean to me?

Knowing the Bible is not enough – we must live it out!

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The importance of “application” Head knowledge without heart

change is not useful. Our goal then, is not only that we

study the Bible, but that the Bible studies us.

There are several types of questions to ask in order to do this well.

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Application questions: focus of the passage Is the teaching local or universal? Is the teaching temporary or timeless? What area of experience can this be applied

to? In what areas of life should this truth be

applied? Answer: II Timothy 3:16

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

- II Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

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Four areas of application

1. Teaching: What is this passage teaching me?

2. Rebuke: What am I believing or doing that must change?

3. Correct: What should I believe or do instead?

4. Training in Righteousness: What specifically can I do to live out the truth?

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True learning is learning through discovery and experience People learn best when they discover things

by themselves (with, maybe, a little help). People remember things best when they

can immediately apply them to their lives.

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Biblical GenresUnderstanding the Biblical Library

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Importance of Genres

The Bible is actually a library of 66 books

Each is part of a different literary genre, or, type

Understanding the basis for each genre is critical to interpreting the text

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Overview of Biblical Genre

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Historical Narrative

While made up of different genres, the entire Bible is one grand story

Thus, not surprising that historical narrative comprises nearly half of the Bible

Do not directly teach doctrine, though they might illustrate it – hence, not a primary source for determining theology

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Contributions

Primary: to provide us with an understanding of God’ s eternal plan and how he works in history.

Secondary: to provide us with positive and negative examples of people in relationship with God

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Books

OT: Genesis, most of Exodus and Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Rush, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. In addition, many of the prophetic books include sections of historical narrative

NT: Synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and Acts

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How to read

Begin first by asking how the story fits within the full scope of the Biblical narrativeThat is, “How does each story fit within the

eternal plan of God and His salvation story”

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Then, look to see how the account fits into the story of God’s peopleWhat impact does this story have on the

nation of Israel or the church?What development or foundations are being

laid in the story of Israel or the church?

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Finally, look at the story of each individualWhat examples are being provided for us? Is the example good or bad?Remember: the real hero of the story is not

the individual, but God – emulate him, not his servants

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The Law

OT law was given to Israel as foundation of political and religious constitution

Not given as a means to salvation, but as regulations for the Israelite community of the 15th century BC

Thus, many situations not relevant to 21st century Christians

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Contributions

Primary: to explain the holiness of God and the standard of holiness God desires for His people

Secondary: to provide an illustration of the ethical and moral guidelines for His people

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Books

Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy

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How to read

The purpose of the Law to us today is not to be obeyed to the letter

However, the essence of the law was indeed renewed That is, the ten commandments, the

greatest commandments Thus, begin by asking what principle the

Law was designed to reveal

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The Law provides a broad understanding of who God is and, broadly, how he wants his people to live

Next, ask yourself if these principles apply to our own lives

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Furthermore, the Law is used to illustrate both our sinfulness, and the impossibility of living up to any standard

Thus, we read the books of the Law with humility, in thankfulness of God’s grace, while striving to become more like Christ through his strength

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Wisdom Literature

Proverbs are generalized statements about common-sense issues in lifeThey are not promise, per seRather, observations about what is true in

lifeExample: “an apple a day keeps the doctor

away”

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Job, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon present one single point per bookThe bulk of both Job and Eccl. present

alternative viewpoints to the author’s real point

Only in the closing sections is the truth expressed

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Contributions

They directly (Proverbs) or indirectly (Job, Eccl. SoS) tell us how to make wise choices in real life situations

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Books

Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiates and Song of Solomon

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How to read

With proverbs, simply try to glean the wisdom and apply it

In Job, Eccl. and Song of Solomon, remember that there is one point onlyThus, be careful not to pull things out of

context, or the reader will be reading a false viewpoint, and not the main point

Make certain to read the whole book before drawing conclusions

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Therefore, ask: “what does the proverb or book tell me about general patterns of living which will be beneficial to me?”

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Prophecy

OT prophets were messengers of God, calling on Israel (and Judah) to remember and keep their covenant with God

They enforced God’s covenant, and served as God’s direct representative and messenger to the people

Thus, they addressed a specific situation in the history of Israel

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In addition to “forth telling,” prophets were also often “fore telling” the future

This foretelling has the condition of “double-fulfillment”Most prophecies have both a near term

fulfillment and a later, greater fulfillmentFor example, in Isaiah 7, he foretells that

“the virgin shall be with child” – this was fulfilled first when Isaiah’s wife gave birth and was also fulfilled in a fuller sense when Christ was born

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Contributions

Primary: The prophets were to encourage and admonish Israel to keep God’s covenant with them

Secondary: The prophets also give us glimpses into the future of God’s kingdom program

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Books

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi

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How to read

First ask “how does this prophecy speak of Israel’s keeping of the covenant, and might we be neglecting this area of the new covenant?”

Second, ask “what does this oracle tell me about God’s future plans for Israel and/or his future plans for His new covenant people?”

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Epistles

Letters written to specific people in specific situations

Address their specific concerns and issues

Not theological textbooks with a systematic teaching of doctrine

Must, therefore, be familiar with the background of the book

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Contributions

To teach, exhort and admonish the various churches to live consistent with the grace they’ve received, to live in unity with other believers, and to keep the doctrinal truth they’ve been taught by apostles

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Books

Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1,2&3 John, and Jude

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How to read

As with all scripture, remember the basic rule: “the text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or his readers”

The second rule is critical as well: “whenever we share common particulars with the readers, God’s Word is the same to them as it is to us”

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Apocalyptic

Written to encourage and exhort us to overcome persecution, knowing that God’s kingdom is destined to overcome evil

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Books

Revelations, Zechariah

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How to read

Ask, “what does this passage tell me about God and his long-term plan for the world?”

Next, ask “how does this encourage me to live faithfully for Him today?”

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Poetry

Poetry is an expression of the author’s feelings

Thus, you find some very intense and deep emotions within the Psalms, which may contain feelings and emotions that may sound contradictory to other passages in the Bible

We, thus, must understand the nature of poetry to interpret it

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Example: Psalm 22, where it says: “My God, my God, why have you left me alone? You are too far away to save me. You are too far away to hear my moans.”

If taken as a doctrinal issue, out of context, we might come to an incorrect conclusion that God is sometimes away or unwilling – the Psalm actually attempts to say the opposite!

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Contributions

Primary: provides a model of a God-centered world view, through worship, prayer, and the expression of emotions

Secondary: gives us a model for worshipping God

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How to read

We must understand that poetry is truthful to the author’s feelings

Only when read in their full argument can we draw accurate principles of who God is and how He relates to us

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When approaching a psalm, ask “what does this psalm tell me about God and his relationship with the author in the midst of difficult or joyous circumstance?”

Also ask “what it tell me about how to pray, praise and express ourselves in worship to God, both individually and corporately”

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In conclusion When using the inductive method, make

sure to consider the genre in addition to the background

Understanding genre will help you not only to appreciate the Bible more, but interpret it correctly

(Ken Carson, “The Importance of Biblical Narrative,” http://www.gcfweb.org/institute/biblestudymethods/index.php)

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Some Useful Websites

www.intothyword.org – founded by Francis A. Schaeffer

www.precept.org – Evangelical ministry dedicated to personal, inductive study

http://www.gcfweb.org/institute - Website of Grace Community Fellowship in Eugene Oregon

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