Faith

Three-Step How to study the Bible (7a)

13 November 2024
Angeline Koh
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Exegesis, Eisegesis, Hermenuetics

Introduction to the Bible Episode 7a

If we go into the Bible with our own ideas we can literally make it say whatever we want it to say. We can bend the Bible to justify our own beliefs and behaviour.

Here are three steps to studying the Bible to keep from making those mistakes.

  1. Observation
  2. Interpretation (we will cover this in another session)
  3. Application.

This video gives a simple overview of the process of Observation and Interpretation.

🔍 To observe is to ask Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

To observe is to do EXegesis (from the word EX = Out of)
✔️ Pull information from what the text says. You see what is there.

As opposed to doing EIsegesis (from the word EI = Into)
✖️ Insert our own ideas into what the text says.

Only have we done EXEGESIS, so we do interpret the text according to its contextual and historical context (Hermeneutics).

  1. Biblical text were written in a historical context. Why did the author write it? What is the author’s intended meaning?
  2. Who is the original reader? How would they have understood the text?

Example

The gospel of Luke was written to Theopilus.

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
– Luke 1:1-4

These are some of the questions I would ask: Why was the gospel of Luke written? It was written so that Theophilus would be certain about the things he had been taught.

We know it was first-hand eye witnesses accounts about Jesus. Luke was a doctor. His writing as a historian is above reproach.

What would the gospel of Luke mean to Theophilus the recipient? Who was Theophilus? Why was it necessary to write to him? What was the writer’s intention? What was the historical setting of the gospel of Luke?

In summary: to observe is to ask ✔️ What does the text mean? ✖️ NOT what it means TO ME.