Do you find the Bible confusing
(at times)? Are you searching to understand the true meaning found in its pages? Did you know the Bible
is the world’s most popular book? Read the scriptures as an explorer with an
expectant attitude (and perspective). What five questions must you ask of
yourself to engage in correct biblical interpretation?[i]
1.
What is the genre of the literature?
The sixty-six books
of the Bible are divided into ten unique
reading groups. They are:
In the Old
Testament- The Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy);
History (Joshua, Judges, Ruth,
1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings, 1st Chronicles, 2nd Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Esther); Poetry and Wisdom (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song
of Solomon); Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,
Ezekiel, and Daniel); and Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi)
In the New
Testament- The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John); History
(Acts); Paul’s Letters
(Romans, 1st Corinthians, 2nd
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd
Thessalonians, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon); General
Letters (Hebrews, James, 1st Peter, 2nd Peter, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, and Jude);
and Prophecy ( Revelation)[ii]
2.
What is the context?
Exegesis and
eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. Exegesis is the explanation of a text based on unbiased
investigation. It literally means “to lead out of.” This implies that the
interpreter is led to his deductions by adhering to the scripture.
Eisegesis is the interpretation of a passage based on a non-analytical reading. It literally means “to lead into.” This means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the Bible causing it to have the desired meaning the person wishes for.
Obviously,
exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting
its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a
point, even at the expense of the true meaning of words. [iii]
3.
What is the plain and obvious meaning
of the text?
“Instead, we have renounced all the
things that hide in shame; we refuse to live deceptively or use trickery; we do
not pollute God’s Word with any other
agenda. Instead, we aim to tell the truth plainly, appealing to the
conscience of every person under God’s watchful eye.”
2 Corinthians 4:2
(VOICE)
“Let us know,
then, that the true meaning of Scripture is the natural and obvious meaning;
and let us embrace and abide by it resolutely. Let us not only neglect as
doubtful, but boldly set aside as deadly corruptions those pretended
expositions which lead us away from the natural meaning.” (John Calvin)
4.
What
does the rest of the Bible say?
“Above all understand this: no
prophecy of scripture comes about from a person’s own interpretation.” 2
Peter 1:20 (TLV)
5.
How
does this point the reader to Jesus?
“You study the Scriptures carefully. You
study them because you think they will give you eternal life. The Scriptures
you study are a witness about me.” John
5:39 (NIRV)
“We are the Bibles the world is reading. We are the
creeds the world [needs]. We are the sermons the world is heeding.” (Billy
Graham)
“The
reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that Christian people are not filled
with Jesus. They are satisfied with attending meetings weekly, reading the
Bible occasionally, and praying sometimes.
It
is an awful thing for me to see people who profess to be Christians lifeless,
powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbelievers’
lives that it is difficult to tell which place they are in, whether in the
flesh or in the Spirit.” (Smith
Wigglesworth)[v]
[i] Adapted from “How to Understand the Bible” www.ucg.org
[ii] Adapted from “Name the Books of the Bible by Category” www.thisisyourbible.com
[iii] Adapted from “What
is the Difference between Exegesis and Eisegesis” www.gotquestions.org
[iv] Adapted from “Six Principles for Interpreting
Scripture” by Rick Warren
[v] Inspired by the sermon "Questions Jesus Asked: How Do You Read It?" (installment two) Sunday, March 12, 2017
Pastor Dave Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH
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