Business of Exegesis Fun Ada Mental Question 20Frs

The Business The Business ofof

ExegesisExegesisFundamental QuestionsFundamental Questions

(in addition to Steps to be taken in (in addition to Steps to be taken in the Study of the Passage itself)the Study of the Passage itself)

Greek DerivationGreek DerivationExegesisExegesis::

== ExEx outout

plusplus Hegeisthai Hegeisthai to lead, or guide to lead, or guide

Thus indicating:Thus indicating:The process of explaining a text by The process of explaining a text by

drawing out its meaningdrawing out its meaning

A Common Assumption of A Common Assumption of PreachersPreachers

A task reserved for the biblical scholarA task reserved for the biblical scholarToo complex for the ordinary pastor Too complex for the ordinary pastor Very time consumingVery time consuming

Commentaries and articles Commentaries and articles can perform the task for them can perform the task for them

(thereby telling them what to preach and teach!)(thereby telling them what to preach and teach!)

Historical InsightHistorical Insight

One of the fundamentals of One of the fundamentals of the European Reformation the European Reformation

dealt with dealt with the right of the whole church, clergy and lay, the right of the whole church, clergy and lay,

to work at to work at the interpretation of Scripturethe interpretation of Scripture

(Not(Not the preserve of a few the preserve of a few in the scholarly guild of biblical studies!)in the scholarly guild of biblical studies!)

ExegesisExegesis

Task 1Task 1

Examine the textExamine the text

If not possible in If not possible in the original languagethe original language then in then in translationtranslation

Comparing Translations Comparing Translations of The Same Passageof The Same Passage

Radically different renderings suggest Radically different renderings suggest caution in using such a passage as a caution in using such a passage as a warrant forwarrant forSome doctrinal positionSome doctrinal positionSome ethical stanceSome ethical stance

Difference over a key word or concept Difference over a key word or concept indicates the need to inquire further into indicates the need to inquire further into the word or phrase concerned.the word or phrase concerned.

CautionCaution

Be careful not to give Be careful not to give absolute authority absolute authority

to any one translation to any one translation another may present a different slant another may present a different slant

on the texts meaningon the texts meaning

ExegesisExegesis

Task 2Task 2

Examine Examine the literary style and organisationthe literary style and organisation

Questions to Ask About The Passage: Questions to Ask About The Passage: A. Literary Style & OrganisationA. Literary Style & Organisation

Is it part of a larger piece of writing?Is it part of a larger piece of writing?How does it relate to the larger literary context? How does it relate to the larger literary context?

(e.g. Introduce? Develop? Conclude?)(e.g. Introduce? Develop? Conclude?) Is there a logical structure?Is there a logical structure?Where does the emphasis fall?Where does the emphasis fall?Can anything be said about the authorship?Can anything be said about the authorship?

Questions to Ask About The Passage: Questions to Ask About The Passage: B. Form / GenreB. Form / Genre

What type of writing does it come from? (e.g. What type of writing does it come from? (e.g. Oracle, Proverb, Parable, Prayer, etc)Oracle, Proverb, Parable, Prayer, etc)

Are there any symbols, images or metaphors?Are there any symbols, images or metaphors?How does our awareness of the forms used How does our awareness of the forms used

here affect our understanding of the passage? here affect our understanding of the passage? i.e.: i.e.: What it meant in its original settingWhat it meant in its original settingWhat its message is for us todayWhat its message is for us today

Questions to Ask About The Passage: Questions to Ask About The Passage: C. Historical ContextC. Historical Context

If the passage refers to some historical If the passage refers to some historical event:event:

To what historical experience is it referring?To what historical experience is it referring?What would it have involved for those living What would it have involved for those living

through it?through it?What would it mean to the speakers listeners?What would it mean to the speakers listeners?What significance should it have for us today?What significance should it have for us today?

Questions to Ask About The Passage: Questions to Ask About The Passage: D. TheologicalD. Theological

What, if any, are the main theological motifs or What, if any, are the main theological motifs or themes? (Note the key words of the passage)themes? (Note the key words of the passage)

Does the passage refer to any larger Does the passage refer to any larger theological themes?theological themes?

How would the original listeners have How would the original listeners have understood its theological significance?understood its theological significance?

How should we respond to its message now?How should we respond to its message now?

When to Consult When to Consult Study AidsStudy Aids

The The orderorder of work on a text is important: of work on a text is important:FirstFirst examine the passage to determine examine the passage to determine

a) What are the significant questions to address?a) What are the significant questions to address?b) Form initial judgments about the literary, historical b) Form initial judgments about the literary, historical

and theological aspects of the passage.and theological aspects of the passage.AfterwardsAfterwards consult available study aids for help in consult available study aids for help in

reaching the fullest understanding of the reaching the fullest understanding of the passage. passage. (Task 3)

Task 3Task 3Consult available study aids including:Consult available study aids including:

ConcordancesConcordances - - to discover what other to discover what other biblical passages say on the same theme / biblical passages say on the same theme / subjectsubject

Bible DictionariesBible Dictionaries - for - for more information on more information on a word / subject / persona word / subject / person

Bible AtlasesBible Atlases - - to locate places mentionedto locate places mentionedCommentariesCommentaries for for other interpretations other interpretations

and further insights about the contentand further insights about the content

The ConcordanceThe Concordance

An indispensable tool for canonical study which...An indispensable tool for canonical study which...

Lists key words in alphabetical orderLists key words in alphabetical orderRecords instances where such words appear in Records instances where such words appear in

other biblical passagesother biblical passages

NotNot to use a concordance to use a concordance is to look at a bible passage thinking that what is is to look at a bible passage thinking that what is

seen there immediately seen there immediately is all there is to see.is all there is to see.

Canonical Considerations Canonical Considerations ((Checking Against the Rest of Scripture)Checking Against the Rest of Scripture)

Task 4Task 4Specific passages Specific passages

(and their related themes) (and their related themes) must be viewed must be viewed

in the light of in the light of the the wholewhole of Scripture. of Scripture.

Where does this passage fit Where does this passage fit in the over-all development of its major theme(s)?in the over-all development of its major theme(s)? in the total story of redemption?in the total story of redemption?

Essential Steps in Exegesis of the TextEssential Steps in Exegesis of the Text

1.1. Analyse the STRUCTURE of The PassageAnalyse the STRUCTURE of The Passage2.2. Analyse the CONTENT of the PassageAnalyse the CONTENT of the Passage3.3. Find the over-all SUBJECT of the PassageFind the over-all SUBJECT of the Passage4.4. Identify the TEACHING about the over-all Identify the TEACHING about the over-all

SubjectSubject5.5. Expose the original HEART-BEAT of the Expose the original HEART-BEAT of the

PassagePassage6.6. APPLY the Heart-Beat (The Ministry Lesson)APPLY the Heart-Beat (The Ministry Lesson)

Steps in the Exegesis of the TextSteps in the Exegesis of the Text Note the Kind of Writing (The GENRE)Note the Kind of Writing (The GENRE) List the Units of Thought (The basic IDEAS)List the Units of Thought (The basic IDEAS) Analyse the STRUCTURE of The PassageAnalyse the STRUCTURE of The Passage

Its Shape (showing relationships of different parts)Its Shape (showing relationships of different parts) Its Repetitions (suggesting significances /emphasis)Its Repetitions (suggesting significances /emphasis)

4.4. Analyse the CONTENT of the PassageAnalyse the CONTENT of the Passage People involved People involved ActionsActions Ideas / TopicsIdeas / Topics

Find the over-all SUBJECT of the PassageFind the over-all SUBJECT of the Passage Identify the TEACHING about this over-all Subject Identify the TEACHING about this over-all Subject Expose the Expose the originaloriginal HEART-BEAT of the Passage HEART-BEAT of the Passage Apply the Heart-Beat (The LESSON Apply the Heart-Beat (The LESSON for us todayfor us today))

A fuller version would include:A fuller version would include: Study of significant WORDS in the textStudy of significant WORDS in the text Study of CONTEXTStudy of CONTEXT (using Bible Dictionaries / Commentaries, etc)(using Bible Dictionaries / Commentaries, etc)

Application & DeliveryApplication & Delivery

The Exegesis (in the study) The Exegesis (in the study) is now complete is now complete

(This process relates to (This process relates to Hermeneutics, Hermeneutics, the principles of the principles of interpretinginterpreting a text) a text)

The Exposition (in the pulpit) The Exposition (in the pulpit) can now be prepared can now be prepared

(This process relates to (This process relates to Homiletics, Homiletics, the the artart of preaching) of preaching)

The EndThe End