How to Study the Scriptures- Methodology

Introduction

Thus far we have learned why we should study the scriptures, we have also learned how to get started studying the scriptures and today we are going to examine the methodology we should use as we begin the actual process of studying the scriptures.

What we learn today will help us to establish some important ground rules for studying the scriptures that will help to guard us against false interpretations and applications.

We will begin today’s lesson with a look at two opposite terms which are important to understand as we begin the process of actually studying the scriptures.

Eisegesisor Exegesis?

These two words are terms that describe how we approach the text of scripture as we begin the process of studying it.

Eisegesis- the interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one's own ideas.

Unfortunately every single one of us generally carry with us some presuppositions when we approach the text of scripture.

These presuppositions are not always incorrect, but at times they can tend to influence the way that we interpret the scriptures.

For Example:

1 Peter 3:21 KJV 1900

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Mark 16:16 KJV 1900

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

If we approach these two verses of scripture with the presupposition that baptism is necessary to salvation and we would naturally arrive at a position called baptismal regeneration.

Yet if we remove those presuppositions and simply examine the text in its proper context we will arrive at a completely different conclusion- baptism is not necessary for salvation.

Our goal as we approach the text of scripture is to lay aside all of our presuppositions and allow God’s Word to speak.

Romans 3:4 KJV 1900

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Illustration- Jeremiah 7:31- to the JW- this verse means there cannot be a fiery hell

Exegesis- critical explanation or interpretation of a text. In this method of interpretation the meaning is brought out of the text.

2 Peter 1:20–21 KJV 1900

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Our goal should be to handle the Word of God honestly and to let the scriptures speak, rather than attempting to force the scriptures to support our preconceived ideas.

We must be willing to allow our beliefs to be challenged and possibly even at times proven false.

The Historical - Grammatical approach to interpreting the scriptures.

“If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense lest you end up with non-sense.”

When we take this approach to interpreting the scripture we are going to ask some very simple (but very important) questions.

We must ask the question “How would the original audience have understood what is written?” This is the historical element of interpretation.

We must also ask questions regarding the grammatical context of the passage. “Is it a command, a principle, a narrative, a parable, a figure of speech?”

The use of this approach to interpretation means that we objectively interpret the scriptures based upon their historical and grammatical context as they would have been understood by those to whom they were written.

The authors original intent must be the focal point of our interpretation for as has been rightly stated, “It cannot mean what it never meant.”

Example Psalm 22:1- we cannot begin to interpret this passage with Jesus words upon the cross because this would not take place for over 500 years.

Perhaps the best way to understand this approach to interpretation is to contrast it with the opposite approach which is to spiritualize or allegorize the text of scripture

When this competing approach is taken, the interpretation of scripture becomes highly subjective and in a sense the Bible can say just about anything that you want it to.

This approach is particularly common when it comes to the interpretation of the prophetic portions of scripture.

The question that must be asked is “Shall the prophecies of scripture shall be literally fulfilled, or can we assume that they are being or shall be fulfilled spiritually?”

A great example of this is found in Revelation 20 when the Millennial reign of Christ is considered. The historical-grammatical approach would lead us to believe that Jesus Christ will literally reign upon earth for a thousand years while there are many who spiritualize or allegorize this portion of scripture and suggest that either there is not millennial reign upon earth

“Amillennarists interpret the thousand years symbolically to refer either to a temporary bliss of souls in heaven before the general resurrection, or to the infinite bliss of the righteous after the general resurrection.”

This is also true when scriptural promises which were made to specific groups of people are then broadly applied to all believers. This has become so prominent that there is an entire movement often referred to as the “name it claim it” movement.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This is a promise given to the nation of Israel and though there are certainly practical applications to be made from this promise, it is not a blanket guarantee that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek the face of God and turn from sin that God will heal our land.

We must not attempt to spiritualize or allegorize the text of scripture, instead we must take it at face value and interpret it according to its normal meaning.

This does not mean that there are not portions of scripture which are figurative in nature but it does mean that these passages would have easily been understood to be figurative by the original audience.

In other words, we cannot take what the original audience would have understood literally and interpret it figuratively, spiritually, or allegorically today.

The Ground Rules for Studying the Scriptures

Avoid Eisegesis- We must do our best to set aside our preconceived ideas as to what a passage of scripture means so that we do not read our own meaning into the text.

Embrace Exegesis- We must pull the meaning out of the text itself. We should have a desire to know what the text actually means even if it challenges the beliefs we already hold.

Reject the Allegorical Approach- We must not allow ourselves to spiritualize or allegorize portions of scripture that would have been understood literally by the original audience.

Commit to the Historical-Grammatical Approach- We must commit to allowing the scriptures to mean what they say, and to interpreting them based on their historical and grammatical context alone.