Eisegesis: Reexamine Scripture to Untangle Original Intent From Infallibility Overreach
by Phil Miglioratti @ Reimagine.Network
• Precursor
#ItSeemsToMe…Christians who believe in the inspiration of the Bible risk shifting their confidence in Christianity from Jesus to the book that reveals him. A subtle shift from Truth to text.
“Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect (fully complete).” Hebrews 12:2
“I am tired, so tired, of people (and theologians) talking as if the Christian faith were a collection of ideas or propositions.
The Christian faith is a matrix of relationships connected by and to a person, not a principle or point or propositions. A Person.
The point of Christianity is a Person not a point.” Leonard Sweet
“What is the understanding of truth that the Christian faith celebrates and is not reflected in either an apologetic,
theological rationalism or in the understandings of other major world religions?
It is none other than the frank recognition that Truth is not exhausted in the affirmation of facts or data,
but that truth is also a Person, even Jesus Christ, who proclaimed: "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
Observe that the Savior did not say that he would offer a discourse or a lecture on truth, as if Truth were something other than his own person, but I AM the Truth.” Kenneth J Collins
“Think of it: You and I can be “transformed” into the image and character of Christ himself (cf. Romans 8:29).
Not by a religion about Jesus but by an intimate relationship with him.” Dr. Jim Denison
This shift has prompted me to reexamine my presuppositions about Holy Scripture. No, I have not lost faith in the Bible, but I have recognized much of Evangelicalism approaches Scripture as if the text we read has the same status as the biblical autographs (the one-and-only original document of each book). Then, because we believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, we overreach, believing our interpretations are also inspired, which results in the assumption explanations and our applications are always correct. For everyone. Everywhere.
1. I am not trying to discredit nor disrespect Holy Scripture
2. I am asking questions. Searching for answers by asking questions is not the same as doubting. I do not equate researching or reviewing as a step away from faith or toward heresy. For me, it is exactly the opposite.
3. I am convinced we who say the Bible is the “inspired” word of God must revisit and review the tenets we have extracted from Holy Scripture. Not to redefine Christianity but to refine our doctrines and beliefs by searching for overlooked translations, overconfident interpretations, and overrated applications.
• From Eisegesis to Exegesis
Our goal and our role in understanding the Bible is to always exegete the text.
But we must approach each text with a humility (“I am not inerrant“) and a respect for guardrails to avoid Eisegesis.
Descriptions & Definitions
•“The terms “exegesis” and “eisegesis” refer to how you read the Bible. At the most basic level, exegesis relies on the original context of a biblical passage to determine that passage's meaning, while eisegesis uses things other than the original context of a biblical passage to determine that passage's meaning”
•“Exegesis is the process of interpreting a text to discover its original meaning, while eisegesis is the process of reading a text with preconceived ideas.”
•Exegesis “comes from the Greek term ἐξηγέομαι (exegeomai), which means “to explain” or “to narrate” or “to show the way”)
•Eisegesis is “the interpretation of a text by reading into it one's own ideas”
•Eisegesis inserts preexisting viewpoints into the interpretation; exegesis asks questions of the text to understand original intent in their context. {AI: Assisted Investigation}
Exegesis extracts the original meaning as intended by the writer’s use of vocabulary, literary genre, biblical and historical context (see this resource>>>). This is best accomplished by asking questions of the text (see below). Not assuming our theology has already made all the correct conclusions.
Eisegesis reads our thoughts into the text by bringing the reader’s culture and customs too early into the process. Inserting our situation and circumstances into the biblical text before clearly identifying the author’s original message and purpose is dangerous. We must differentiate between the purpose of the text (timeless teachings) and our purpose for using it (communicating how it relates to our time in history and responds to the trends of our culture). Blurring that line results in a fusion our systematic theology with Scriptural Truths; hence, we believe in our beliefs.
“Fusion is the process of combining two or more things into a single entity.” {AI}
Jesus saves us, not our theology.
“We must strive to understand and submit to the teaching of Scripture as it is and not as we’d like it to be.” Kevin Gardner
• unLearning Eisegesis
To exegete the text with as little Eisegesis as possible, the process must begin, as strange as it sounds, not with the text but with its pretext.
The pretext is the worldview-mindset-value-system of the person reading, researching, and/or reviewing the scriptural text. Identifying those presuppositions is essential to recognizing when personal or cultural or theological presets are influencing our choices and decisions.
Exegeting the text begins by exegeting the pretext; the person you bring to the process. Your self.
As you reexamine a biblical text in its context, remember each of us brings our unique profile to the Bible. {see Bonus content below}
No two Christ followers believe exactly the same on every biblical teaching or topic.
- Yes, we believe Jesus will return, but will that be pre? Mid? Post? Tribulation…or before-during-after the Millennium?
- Yes, we believe in baptism, but must it be full immersion or can it be a sprinkling? At birth or as an adult?
- God is sovereign but does the imply predestination or do humans make free-will choices?
- The Hoy Spirit? When born-again? After speaking in tongues?
Every doctrinal section (“ology” is a suffix that means “the study of”) has a spectrum of explanations that are accepted by a segment of the Christian Church:
- Theology Proper: The study of God and God’s works
- Anthropology: The study of humanity
- Christology: The study of Christ
- Soteriology: The study of salvation
- Pneumatology: The study of the Holy Spirit
- Ecclesiology: The study of the church
- Eschatology: The study of the end times
- Angelology: The study of angels
- Demonology: The study of demons
- Hamartiology: The study of sin
Some of those differences are a valid but differing reading-out of the vocabulary or grammar of a text. Exegesis.
But many of our differences are the result of an introduction of our presets or a bending toward a cultural preference or even blindspot. Eisegesis.
It is impossible to read the Bible without having a background that has prescribed a specific brand of Christian thought. Everyone reads a biblical text with a personal context; a set of presuppositions that have potential of causing important questions to be unasked or unexplored.
No. I am not saying it is useless to read the Bible.
I am cautioning myself (and others who know they are not infallible) to approach the text with a humble confidence. Confidence in God’s Word as revealed through the Holy Spirit; yet humble about my capability to always grasp true/accurate meaning and to discern the wise and best application.
“Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7
- Keep Asking... for an accurate understanding of the text by yielding to the filling/leading of the Spirit.
- Keep Seeking... that guidance by listening to the Spirit and to the Scripture. Pray as you read. Read slowly aloud (ignites a different part of your brain). Ponder. Pray. Walk. Take a break. Write down your thoughts.
- Keep Knocking... on the door for insight by reviewing -researching-rethinking the text. Be open to the Spirit’s correction: “What is the mind of Christ” on this text (1 Corinthians 2:16)? Is there a differing analysis I should investigate from true followers I disagree with? Is my thinking on how to apply the text based on the intent of the text or bent for my comfort? Are there other choices the Lord approves of that apply the Word in very different ways?
Yes, it may be that those who disagree have misread or misused the text for their own purposes. But not every time. And, like them, you too “see through a glass darkly.”
“Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror.
Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything,
but then we will, just as God completely understands us.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
• Bonus Content
Scroll for:
- My “Pretext” Profile
- Questions I would be asking if I was reading, not writing, this commentary
My “Pretext” Profile
Ask these thought-provoking questions-
- WHO am I?
-Recognize the influence of your personality-type; it is your default mode in making decisions and embracing values…and it is one of the reasons (along with those that follow) why so many Christians have so many different points of view on the same text.
-Identify personal preferences that can become presuppositions that preempt a thoughtful contemplation of Scripture which invariably contaminates your bedrock principles.
-Realize your political persuasions and social paradigms can subtly steer how you apply or express your biblical beliefs…your good idea is not always a God-idea, and it might not be the only possible God-idea.
-Be honest about people groups you have a prejudiced attitude towards and philosophies you have stereotyped as completely bankrupt, so that, the Spirit can reveal truth to you from a person or path you written off as an enemy.
-Who can you trust as a partner to give you feedback? …It may be a believer who has a differing point of view on secondary or tertiary issues.
- WHAT is my motivation?
-What is the reason, your purpose, for studying this biblical text?
-What authors have influenced you?
-What error are you trying to expose or correct in someone’s theology?
-What other opinions on the text have you researched or thought about?
-What is your primary quest driving every Scripture search or study?
{Hint: pray this for yourself}
“God, grant me complete (mature; accurate) knowledge of your will and give me spiritual wisdom and understanding from your Word
…so that .. the way I live will always honor and please you and my life will produce every kind of good fruit
…as I learn to know you through your Word better and better.” Colossians 1:9-10 (my paraphrase)
- WHERE/WHEN do I think/talk about biblical beliefs?
-Where and when are you being discipled by listening and interacting with others?
-Do you share your faith as a parent? Teacher? Preacher? In conversations with friends? In small group studies? Blogging?
-Are you a one-way talker/teller or do you disciple others by asking questions and researching answers?
- WHY does any of this matter?
-If you assuming your theological views are 100% correct and that all Christians who think differently may be saved but are in error because they disagree with your denomination’s statement of faith, you need to rethink “humble confidence.” Being inflexible in every interpretation of every doctrine and the application of that teaching is as easily a sign of ignorance as it is an act of faithfulness.
-Is it possible your conclusions are appropriate but not the only way to apply the text?
- HOW do I mature in my ability to exegete Scripture?
-How do you yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit? (What do you do to “be filled?”
-How often do you read commentary or seek feedback of a trusted source who comes from a different Christian tradition? Do you know why they believe something you think is in error or not relevant?
-How often do you ask-seek-knock for the Spirit to show you where you need to rethink a conclusion or a direction?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for showing you mistakes,
for correcting error, and for teaching how to live right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Questions I would be asking if I was reading, not writing, this commentary
- What prompted you to write about this?
Recognizing millions of true Christ followers do not live by my doctrinal statement (strongly influenced by evangelical teaching in a white-American context), I have realized that my belief in the teachings of the Bible does not eliminate nor is independent from the influence of prevailing worldview. Worldview can help design or define valid expressions of biblical teaching, but it also competes with Scripture in ways that can water down, misdirect or compromise Christian beliefs.
- Why is Eisegesis so important?
It is more prevalent than typically realized. Like the Pharisees in the Bible, we see flaws (“specks”) in others but believe our tribe is immune (no “planks”) from reading-into scripture. God’s Word is inspired, not our Statements of Faith. If we are so convinced other Christians have made mistakes, why wouldn’t the same be true of us?
- If we cannot avoid Eisegesis, why even have a statement of beliefs?
Truth is real. The purpose of beliefs is to express as clearly and as closely as we can what those truths are. A daily walk of asking-seeking-knocking for Spirit-led, Scripture-fed revelation that define and refine our understanding of the way, the truth, and the life of Christ in and through us.
- What are the rules/guidelines for biblical exegesis?
There are generally four steps of the hermeneutical process – (1) understanding the historical and cultural context, (2) understanding the literary context, (3) making observations, and (4) drawing application. This process can help us approach any text of the Bible as we seek out God’s intended meaning. Hermeneutics should allow God’s Word to speak for itself in its original setting before the interpreter draws any conclusions about how it applies to him in his own setting.
Check this source for explanation and resources>>>
- What is your main objective?
For Christ followers to develop a humble confidence. Confident in what we believe but humble in knowing we are not absolutely correct in absolutely every doctrine and precept and statute. If we would all recognize, other than primary Tier 1 truths, the Church expresses secondary and tertiary statues differently, we would take giant steps toward the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23. Keeping the main thing the main thing would result in an increase of effective evangelism, expansion of mission and compassion, and a recalibrated discipleship.
It is estimated Christianity is comprised of “45,000 denominations globally. Followers of Jesus span the globe. But the global body of more than 2 billion Christians is separated into thousands of denominations. Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Apostolic, Methodist, Anglican — the list goes on. Estimations show there are more than 200 Christian denominations in the U.S. and a staggering 45,000 globally, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. So why does Christianity have so many branches? (Donavyn Coffey)
I believe the most significant cause of this branching is Eisegesis. It is obvious and embarrassing to our Lord that authentic followers of Jesus can read and pray over the same text and emerge with different vocabulary definitions, disagreeing interpretation conclusions, and divergent applications.
>>>KEEP SCROLLING for RELATED CONTENT & COMMENTARY, RESOURCES & REPLIES