Exegetical Method

Exegetical Method

Study Conclusionof Parts about Whole

Induction:

A. An Inductive Method

Exegetical Method

Study Conclusionthe Whole about Parts

Versus Deduction:

A. An Inductive Method

Exegetical Method

A. An Inductive Method

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

Exegetical Method

A. An Inductive Method

Example: 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 Method

A. An Inductive Method

•Historical Setting in View

•Keep Whole Book in View

a. Big Picture Mentality

2. Skills to Cultivate

Exegetical Method

A. An Inductive Method

2. Skills to Cultivate

•Themes, Images, Effects

•Questions Raised

•Initial Impressions

b. Listening to the Text

Exegetical Method

A. An Inductive Method

2. Skills to Cultivate

•“Disciplined Paraphrase”

•Focused on Central Point(s)

c. Summarization

Exegetical Method

A. An Inductive Method

2. Skills to Cultivate

d. Reading as Original Audience [as much as we are able]

d. Reading as Original Audience

Example: Parable of the Good Samaritan [Lk 10]

(1) Lack of Information aboutOriginal Setting

Barriers:

d. Reading as Original Audience

Example: Old Testament law read through eyes of Reformation issues

(2) Contemporary Issues Cloud the Text’s True Focus

Barriers:

d. Reading as Original Audience

Barriers:

Example: Pharisee and the Tax-Collector [Lk 18]

(3) Overexposure to the Text

d. Reading as Original Audience

Reading as original audience helps us discover the original meaning (the author’s original message)

Exegetical Method

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

1. Reflect on Presuppositions

Matthew 2: Who is Herod? Who does he ‘work’ for?

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. 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 Passage

Example: Covenants (2:12)

Example: Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

3. Identify Genre (kind of literature)

3. Identify the Genre

a. Identify the Literary Form(s) inthe Text

(1) Three Primary Biblical Genres

(a) Narrative(b) Poetry

(c) Epistle

3. Identify the Genre

b. 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 Genre

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

4. 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 God’s 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 Ephesians

Eph 1:1-3:21God’s Purposes for the Church

Eph 4:1-6:24Live In the Light of His Purposes

a. The Whole Book

b. The Larger Section

c. The Immediate Contextd. Reassessment of Text’s Boundaries

Identify the Text and Cotext

Ephesians 2:1-10: Old Life before Salvation

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” [2:8-9]

“God’s 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: Paul’s Mission to Gentiles

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and Cotext

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

5. 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 Exclusion

Ephesians 2:11-22

2:13-18 Present Reconciliation through Christ

2:19-22 Inclusion into God’s People

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

a. Outline the Passage: Find Major Sections and Title

b. “Map” the Passage

c. 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 Cotext

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

5. Carefully Study the Text

6. Summarize the Key Ideas of the Text

Ephesians 2:11-22

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

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and Cotext

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

5. Carefully Study the Text6. Summarize the Key Ideas7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological Story

7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological Story

Use of OT Citations of Allusions

• Is OT used to support the argument?

• To evoke a part of Israel’s story?

• To provide an analogy?

• To stress continuity between OT and NT?

2. Identify Context3. Identify Genre4. Identify the Text and Cotext

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

5. Carefully Study the Text6. Summarize the Key Ideas

7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger Biblical-Theological Story

8. 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 God’s people through Christ and, as a result, an integral part of the people of God indwelt by God’s spirit.

OR…

YOU’RE 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 country

Like visiting an old & dear friend