Let's do a quick poll. I'm in Colorado (attend a church in close proximity to NLC) and exegesis is a very popular way of interpreting scripture. I've found this approach refreshing, enlightening and the best way to get the true meaning of the text so we can apply it today. The enthusiasm for application is on another level when people see it (clearly) in scripture. Others in my church have felt the same, and I've spent much more time on this in my teaching as well.
1) There are some who believe that the text means only what it says.
2) There are some who believe it means what it says, plus their are additional layers (patterns, meanings, stories within the story), etc that must be understood.
3) There are some who deny any literal meaning of the Text and instead believe it's alleogorical, all metaphors, and full of layered-meanings and symbols.
What say you? What is your opinion?
Last edited by GrowingPains; 07-13-2009 at 01:29 PM.
I should clarify, for this most, I'm referring to the analytical approach of exegetical preaching/teaching. There are distinct differences in preaching/teaching with this. And no, I've heard enough sermons to know that not everyone uses exegesis, but you're right, technically, all areas should have a foundation of exegesis.
In the options, I was careful not to say "exegesis." We have a Baptist conference in town recently where they talked about this. Many churches are doing less oratory and expository preaching, and more exegetical.
For interpretation, I'm referring more to literal, allegorical and the hybrid preacher. I think allegorical preaching is sometimes quite a beautiful thing, as long as doctrines are not formed from allegory. They may support some explicit doctrine, but not be the primary evidence.
Last edited by GrowingPains; 07-13-2009 at 01:31 PM.
Let's do a quick poll. I'm in Colorado (attend a church in close proximity to NLC) and exegesis is a very popular way of interpreting scripture. I've found this approach refreshing, enlightening and the best way to get the true meaning of the text so we can apply it today. The enthusiasm for application is on another level when people see it (clearly) in scripture. Others in my church have felt the same, and I've spent much more time on this in my teaching as well.
1) There are some who believe that the text means only what it says.
2) There are some who believe it means what it says, plus their are additional layers (patterns, meanings, stories within the story), etc that must be understood.
3) There are some who deny any literal meaning of the Text and instead believe it's all fable-like, metaphors, and full of layered-meanings and symbols.
What say you? What is your opinion?
I have to go with number two. The Lord has shown me several applications from just one particular scripture. His wisdom is infinite!
I should clarify, for this most, I'm referring to the analytical approach of exegetical preaching/teaching. There are distinct differences in preaching/teaching with this. And no, I've heard enough sermons to know that not everyone uses exegesis, but you're right, technically, all areas should have a foundation of exegesis.
Yeah, I was just sayin'. (And what I should have said was that they all say they use exegesis. Much more convincing if they arrived at their position that way. And/or the HG led them to it. )
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
1) There are some who believe that the text means only what it says.
2) There are some who believe it means what it says, plus their are additional layers (patterns, meanings, stories within the story), etc that must be understood.
3) There are some who deny any literal meaning of the Text and instead believe it's alleogorical, all metaphors, and full of layered-meanings and symbols.
I have to say that it is differently number 1 and number 2 and number 3. No question about it.
It all depends upon the book, the author and the subject(s) being presented. Where most everyone gets into trouble (including preachers) is thinking one interpretation approach fits all. A sure prescription for spiritual (applied exegetical) disaster.
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It makes no difference whether you study in the holy language, or in Arabic, or Aramaic [or in Greek or even in English]; it matters only whether it is done with understanding. - Moshe Maimonides.
I was taught that all Scripture has a primary application. i.e.
what is written, when was it written, to whom was it written, why was it written?
It can also have a practical application.
does this scripture address a certain question and provide information to us today?
does this scripture state that that
deed, action, attitude is evil, immoral?
can this scripture apply to a similar situation, circumstance?
Some scripture can also have a prophetic implication.
The prophet Joel writes about a time of famine and a descending army of locusts and issues a call to prayer and fasting. That's the primary interpretation. This then goes on about a future time called the day of the Lord and judgment upon God's people with a promise of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is a prophetic implication. A practical application is that we should seek God in prayer and fasting for relief from spiritual famine and drought, for victory over our enemies, and for an outpouring of God's Spirit.
An example of how Scripture can apply all three ways is the Book of Jonah.
A prophet named Jonah receives a call from God to preach to gentiles. He runs from God and gets into trouble. This Jonah was a real person (2 Kings 14:25) and tradition says he was the son of the widow of Zarephath that was raised in 1 Kings 17:18-24. A practical application is that we can get into trouble when we disobey God. Another practical application is seen in God's tenderness toward those who repent. A prophetic implication can be that God called His people (Israel) to be a witness to the Gentiles. They disobeyed, wanting rather to see the Gentiles destroyed. So God has brought a storm upon them (expulsion from the land, persecution), and they have been cast into the sea of the Gentiles but they are miraculously preserved while in their grave. They will be brought back to life, restored to land, and become a blessing to the Gentiles (if you are a dispensationalist, that is).
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Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
I was taught that all Scripture has a primary application. i.e.
what is written, when was it written, to whom was it written, why was it written?
It can also have a practical application.
does this scripture address a certain question and provide information to us today?
does this scripture state that that
deed, action, attitude is evil, immoral?
can this scripture apply to a similar situation, circumstance?
Some scripture can also have a prophetic implication.
The prophet Joel writes about a time of famine and a descending army of locusts and issues a call to prayer and fasting. That's the primary interpretation. This then goes on about a future time called the day of the Lord and judgment upon God's people with a promise of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is a prophetic implication. A practical application is that we should seek God in prayer and fasting for relief from spiritual famine and drought, for victory over our enemies, and for an outpouring of God's Spirit.
An example of how Scripture can apply all three ways is the Book of Jonah.
A prophet named Jonah receives a call from God to preach to gentiles. He runs from God and gets into trouble. This Jonah was a real person (2 Kings 14:25) and tradition says he was the son of the widow of Zarephath that was raised in 1 Kings 17:18-24. A practical application is that we can get into trouble when we disobey God. Another practical application is seen in God's tenderness toward those who repent. A prophetic implication can be that God called His people (Israel) to be a witness to the Gentiles. They disobeyed, wanting rather to see the Gentiles destroyed. So God has brought a storm upon them (expulsion from the land, persecution), and they have been cast into the sea of the Gentiles but they are miraculously preserved while in their grave. They will be brought back to life, restored to land, and become a blessing to the Gentiles (if you are a dispensationalist, that is).
And a great pattern seen in Jonah was "down" (He went down to Joppa, down to the boat, down to...etc). When you disobey God, things go down. But He wants to bring you up (the climax of the story with the vomiting whale!)
I have to say that it is differently number 1 and number 2 and number 3. No question about it.
It all depends upon the book, the author and the subject(s) being presented. Where most everyone gets into trouble (including preachers) is thinking one interpretation approach fits all. A sure prescription for spiritual (applied exegetical) disaster.
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