Scriptural Exegesis and Hermenutics

There is much debate as to how one ought to interpret the ethical and moral sayings of Jesus. Roman Catholicsunderstand scripture from a contextualist position, and that a direct, literal application of these texts to the 21st Century is not warranted.

The worlds of Jesus and today are so different, yet not so different that no connections exist between them. The words and person of Jesus still have their impact on our time. Just hearing the voice of Jesus say to us: “Love your enemies” or “Lend, expecting nothing in return” leaves us perhaps as incredulous as it did those who heard it two thousand years ago. It is still wise to know in what context Jesus made these sayings.

EXEGESISThe word "exegesis" is a Greek word that can be literally

rendered "to lead out," "to explain," or "to interpret.”The discipline of exegesis has existed for over two

thousand years. Over time the Church has used a variety of different methods to analyze texts.

Exegesis is: A systematic process by which a person arrives at a reasonable and

coherent sense of the meaning and message of a biblical passage It studies the texts in their original context. It looks at the

language, the historical context in which it was originally written, the religious traditions surrounding the text, the structuring of language, literary genres, other religious texts of the time.

To what the text meant to its original audience and in its original historical setting

To explain what the text means today

THE GOAL OF EXEGESIS

PLEASE REFER TO THE HALF SHEET HANDOUT TITLED

A NEW LOOK AT SCRIPTURE

Modern scripture scholars have developed a number of techniques to

enhance our understanding and appreciation of scriputre… Referred to as

the Historical-Critical Method:

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS1. OBSERVATION – “What does the author say?”

Begin by reading the passage, perhaps a few times use a good translation, it may help to read a few translations read the larger context; the chapter or letter or book

Note your specific observations concerning the passage What key words, images, symbols are used? Where else are key words used by the same writer? By other

Biblical writers? Outside the Bible? What characters appear and what are their relationships? What issues are addressed in the passage? Did the passage have a source? Do we have access to that

source? (= source criticism)

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS1. OBSERVATION – “What does the author say?”

What unique views of emphases does the writer place on the text? (= redation criticism)

What is the writer’s life situation or theological outlook?

What are the socio-cultural codes embedded in the text (e.g. honour/shame)? (=social-scientific criticism)

Ask yourself what cultural assumptions you might be making; e.g. economic, health, family.

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS2. Interpretation – “What did the author mean?”

Social-historical context: What is the author’s and audience’s situation? Politics; geography; customs Use a good Bible dictionary, atlas, encyclopedia For whom was the written? What issue(s) does the passage address?

Literary Context Focus on significant words, phrases, statements What is its meaning (definitions; contextualize)?

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS2. Interpretation – “What did the author mean?”

Rhetorical context: What is the significance of the progression in the thought patter? What was the author trying to convey to the audience

– e.g., theological truths, practical advice? What types of responses did the author expect on the

basis of writing this passage?Theological context: What do you know about

the author’s theological perspective? Concisely summarize the primary ideas of the

passage: what is the author trying to convey?

HERMENEUTICSHermeneutics takes exegesis

one step further.It tries to understand the

texts no just in themselves but how they still have force today.

We need to interpret the meaning of the texts in the context in which they were written.

Exegesis and hermeneutics are required to understand the full meaning of the text as the they were written centuries ago.

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS3. Hermeneutics : Application – “What does it mean

for me?”

Hermeneutics is moving the message of scripture from one social context to another. That is moving scripture from the ancient world to our own world. What was the author’s purpose in writing this

passage? Does the passage contain “universal truths”

(applicable to all ages) or “contextual truths” (applicable for a certain period of history)?

How does the passage fit with the whole message of the Bible?

THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS3. Hermeneutics : Application – “What does it mean

for me?”

Consider the passage with the following questions in mind: What am I to believe after reading this passage? What am I to do (actions, attitudes, sin)? What do I learn about relationships? What is the good news for me?

Ask how you can address an audience (the class): How can you best explain the original meaning of the

text? How can you help them connect with the truths of the

text?