Exegetical Method Exegetical Method A An Inductive Method

Exegetical Method

Exegetical Method A. An Inductive Method Induction: Study of Parts Conclusion about Whole

Exegetical Method A. An Inductive Method Versus Deduction: Study the Whole Conclusion about Parts

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 1. Key: Study a particular passage in its own context (book) without reference to other biblical books. Example: Studying James’ message without interpreting James by means of Romans.

“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 2. Skills to Cultivate a. Big Picture Mentality • Keep Whole Book in View • Historical Setting in View

Exegetical Method A. An Inductive Method 2. Skills to Cultivate b. Listening to the Text • Initial Impressions • Questions Raised • Themes, Images, Effects

Exegetical Method A. An Inductive Method 2. Skills to Cultivate c. Summarization • Focused on Central Point(s) • “Disciplined Paraphrase”

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 Barriers: (1) Lack of Information about Original Setting Example: Parable of the Good Samaritan [Lk 10]

d. Reading as Original Audience Barriers: (2) Contemporary Issues Cloud the Text’s True Focus Example: Old Testament law read through eyes of Reformation issues

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

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

Ephesians 2: 11 -22 (1) Author: Paul (in prison) (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) in the 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 9 pm 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 selfcongratulatory statements. ”

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines 2. Identify Context 3. Identify Genre 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 (4) Identify Major Themes (5) Identify Purpose(s)

Outline of Ephesians Eph 1: 1 -3: 21 God’s Purposes for the Church Eph 4: 1 -6: 24 Live In the Light of His Purposes

Identify the Text and Cotext a. The Whole Book b. The Larger Section c. The Immediate Context d. Reassessment of Text’s Boundaries

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] Ephesians 3: 1 -13: Paul’s Mission to Gentiles “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]

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines 2. Identify Context 3. Identify Genre 4. Identify the Text and Cotext 5. Carefully Study the Text

Study the Text or Passage [Read Passage Slowly & Carefully] a. Outline the Passage: Find Major Sections and Title

Ephesians 2: 11 -22 2: 11 -12 Remember Former Exclusion 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

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines 2. Identify Context 3. Identify Genre 4. Identify the Text and Cotext 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.

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines 2. Identify Context 3. Identify Genre 4. Identify the Text and Cotext 5. Carefully Study the Text 6. Summarize the Key Ideas 7. 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?

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines 2. Identify Context 3. Identify Genre 4. Identify the Text and Cotext 5. Carefully Study the Text 6. 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

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

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

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