I know that last section was a bit tedious, but necessary background as we proceed into broader and deeper topics. Your understanding of some of those basic principles will help you begin to see through “Hebrew eyes,” the eyes for which it was originally written. When you are able to see in that manner, your understanding will be much better. It is necessary to “put off the cloak” (Is. 61:3) of our Greek “indoctrination” in order to begin to grasp some of the deeper meanings.
There are two basic ways one can approach Scripture. One is as an opportunity to encounter the Living God, and in reading his Word, keeping ears open, hearing what he is saying to us. The second approach is to approach Scripture with an agenda in mind, something that the reader wants to “prove” by looking for the witnesses to make one’s point. This was mentioned briefly in the Post called “Multiple Witnesses,” with a brief introductory video by Francis Chan on YouTube. The caution not to use Scripture as a “weapon,” but really go to seek its meaning. Time to learn a couple of “fancy theological terms,” that were mentioned in Chan’s video.
The word for that first approach above is “exegesis,” defined in the Wordbook Dictionary as “an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible).” The derivation is from the Greek exegeisthai “explain, interpret,” from ἐκ “out” plus hegeisthai “to lead, guide.” The name for the second approach is “eisegesis:” “personal interpretation of a text (especially of the Bible) using your own ideas,” formed from εἰς “in, into” plus ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai) I go before, precede; I lead the way, guide. The primary verb for both terms is thought to be g0071. ἄγω ágō, to lead, lead along, bring, carry, remove; or in an absolute sense, to lead, conduct, bring [CWSBD].
Do we let Scripture lead, or do we try to lead Scripture? Those readers who have attended seminary will know that a primary focus is to teach students never to approach Scripture eisegetically, only exegetically. You might want to review the video using the link just below, or if that does not work, you can search for YouTube Francis Chan Exegesis vs. Eisegesis. The point is, whatever our background: seminary student, pastor, experienced theologian, or a layperson learning to better understand Scripture, as our “understanding of life as revealed therein,” the way to approach his Word is without an attitude or a preconceived notion. Even as a layperson, we should do exegesis. If we approach humbly, Scripture will speak to us, through our life circumstances, and the words on the page can be seen to apply. Step one is to read. Whether, per Chan, we choose to study a certain book of the Bible, or we want to learn more about a person in the Bible, we read. Going hand-in-hand with reading is to meditate / pray with the Scripture. Spend time with God. That is what it is all about. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3a62WKXVCgs
The writer encourages you to watch another 12 minute video now because it is a simple and easy-to-follow approach to exegesis. We will use his outline as a structure to make certain important topics are covered. The link is to a YouTube video by Alexander Strauch, MDiv, an instructor at Colorado Christian University. Strauch’s video is a nicely done simplification of a much more technically-worded treatise. Why is all of this necessary? Recall that exegesis is drawing the meaning out of Scripture ((very often hidden – Is. 6:9-10; Mt. 13:10-17; Mk. 4:10-20; Lk. 8:9-15)); eisegesis is reading into Scripture our preconceived notion. The goal is to learn what the Father wants us to learn, not to “prove a point.” One may, through exegesis, clarify a passage; Scripture should be approached humbly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzeAB8RDL9Q
So, let us first look at Strauch’s simplified outline from his video, which explains that exegesis is really just an approach to learning from Scripture. And it is an approach for individuals as well as pastors or academics. We will not go into all of the video’s details, but here are some key points.
Exegeting is “lifting out” the meaning.
The starting point is meditation-observation [he prints on paper and carries with him, for the week, making notes] Here we add an additional comment from Hays’s article, “It cannot be stressed too strongly that the preacher’s imaginative task of bringing Scripture and congregation into dialogue can only occur with direct wrestling with the text. Commentaries and lectionary aids may prime the pump of the imagination, but they cannot substitute for direct encounter with the word.” [As Strauch notes, the principles are not just for preachers.] Just to round out the idea, in much more flowery language, giving the reader multiple witnesses, we share a passage from Charles Spurgeon, great orator, pastor and seminary professor in Great Britain in the 1800’s:
“While the unformed minister is revolving upon the wheel of preparation, prayer is the tool of the great potter by which he molds the vessel. All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our closets. We grow, we wax mighty, we prevail in private prayer. Your prayers will be your ablest assistants while your discourses are yet upon the anvil. While other men, like Esau, are hunting for their portion, you, by the aid of prayer, will find the savory meat near at home, and may say in truth what Jacob said so falsely, ‘The Lord brought it to me.’ If you can dip your pens into your hearts, appealing in earnestness to the Lord, you will write well; and if you can gather your matter on your knees at the gate of heaven, you will not fail to speak well. Prayer, as a mental exercise, will bring many subjects before the mind, and so help in the selection of a topic, while as a high spiritual engagement it will cleanse your inner eye that you may see truth in the light of God. Texts will often refuse to reveal their treasures til you open them with the key of prayer.”
Our witnesses all agree that prayer / meditation are the key component of understanding Scripture. We noted earlier (Site Vision Page) that Spangler and Tverberg had indicated Scripture should be approached with reverence. With meditation as a backdrop, Strauch relates these considerations:
- Context (various levels – immediate and ever-enlarging circles)
- Emphasis / repetition – what seems to be emphasized in this passage (repeated words or themes)
- Figures of speech – hermeneutics
- Keywords – also, importance of prepositions, small words
- Grammar – suggests a good study Bible with a more literal translation and a concordance
- Disagreements? – If, looking at Bible versions and commentaries, there are controversies, acknowledge them [and we will add, also in Scripture, use this as a guide to “dig deeper”]
- What he calls the “Analogy of Faith” – Scripture interprets Scripture
These are simplified, but truly, the basic elements of understanding. To reiterate, we have not gone to Scripture to prove a point. We have gone to commune with our Creator. We have chosen a passage to use as a backdrop for spending time with him. This does not mean that in the process of doing so, you will not be led to many other passages [everything is connected like threads in a great tapestry]. It would be very unusual not to be led elsewhere. Then, being led by the Spirit, or being led by references in your Bible, you will be focusing on a topic that piqued your interest. After that point it is good and correct to follow through on an idea, as that is the means whereby your life may be illuminated. The point is not to begin with an idea on your own, but to follow through with what you have been shown in your meditation.
Strauch’s points are not numbered here, as his sequence will not be followed in the Posts to follow. The goal here is to make certain each of these topics are covered in depth, and hopefully much more by the completion of our time together. A slow, steady approach is wisest in order to make sure everyone is on the same page. Now you have a brief overview. The next Post will dig further into the topic of Context mentioned on the Welcome Page.
© Jan 2018 logandspeck.com please cite if copying
Richard B. Hays, “Exegesis,” in W. H. Willimon and R. Lischer (eds.), Concise Encyclopedia of Preaching, pp. 122-28.
Lectures to my Students, Vol 1, From LECTURE 3. THE PREACHER’S PRIVATE PRAYER, Charles Spurgeon, 1996, Ages Digital Library Collections, Albany OR, pp 50-51.