Theological Term of the Week

 

exegesis

The process of drawing out the original (or author-intended) meaning of a text of scripture.

• From scripture:

  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV) 
  

• From John Piper in Biblical Exegesis: Discovering the Scriptural Meaning of Biblical Texts.

  For those who think the Bible is infallible and authoritative in matters of faith and practice, good exegesis becomes a very humbling task. It demands that our own ideas take second place. The way we feel and think about life is restrained as we allow ourselves to listen to what the author feels and thinks. Good exegesis becomes a threat to our pride. By it we run the risk of honestly discovering that the prophetic and apostolic view of life is different from our own, so that our view — and with it our pride — must crumble.  
  

Learn more

1. D. A. Carson: Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible (pdf)
2. Sam Storms: Essential Tools for Exegesis
3. D. A. Carson: R. C. Sproul interviews D. A. Carson on biblical exegesis (video)
4. Basics of the Bible: Interpretation, Hermeneutics, Exegesis…
5. J. I. Packer: Interpretation of Scripture

Related terms:

• biblical hermeneutics
• eisegesis
• perspicuity of scripture

Filed under Scripture.

This theological term was suggested by Pam who blogs at a rustling of leaves …. ( I think that’s the right Pam. If it’s not, I’m hoping the right Pam will let me know.) Have you come across a theological term that you don’t understand and you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

 

Click on the graphic to find a list of all the past Theological Terms of the Week in alphabetical order. 

Comments

[Gordon Cheng]

It is humbling to do exegesis! A constant reminder of both mistakes and sinfulness.

[Kim in On]

Ooooh, that book by D.A. Carson sounds good. I recently bought his book Exegetical Fallacies which I have yet to start.

[rebecca]

That's just an article, Kim, and not a book.

[Kim in On]

I just clicked on it and bookmarked it!

[Pam]

Yes, it is me Rebecca! Great links! Amen to Gordon's response also. Thanks!!