Once we have determined the genre of a biblical text, it is essential to analyze the structure of the text. The second step of the inspection process is the development of a teaching outline. Today, some pastor-teachers minimize or neglect this aspect of exegesis altogether. We remain convinced, however, that the practice of outlining remains one of the key components for discovering the author’s main idea of the text (MIT). Remember, the author wrote with … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (9): The Author’s Method of Communication
Poetry
Walt Kaiser notes that Poetry “is important enough to occupy about one-third of the Old Testament.”* It is a medium of communication that uses figurative language to explore the intricacies of life, and it has the capacity to provide an extraordinary view of ordinary things. Grant Osborne notes,
Semitic poetry had its origin in the religious life of the people, both corporate and individual. Prose was inadequate to express the deep yearnings of the soul, and … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (8): Apocalyptic Literature
Apocalyptic is perhaps the most challenging of all biblical literature to interpret. This is due primarily to its use of symbols to represent future events. The word means to “unveil” or “reveal.” At its core, Apocalyptic literature deals with the eschaton, or end times. When we think of the Apocalyptic literature in the Bible, our minds turn first to Revelation. However, it would be a mistake to assume that Revelation is the only evidence of … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (7): Discovering the Author’s Method of Communication
Some people use the terms Hermeneutics and Exegesis as synonyms. We should see a distinction, but they are closely related. Every close reading of a text—any text—is an act of exegesis. Exegesis refers to the process of discerning the truth of Scripture by allowing a text to reveal its meaning and significance, rather than reading the interpreter’s bias into it.
As we begin the process of Exegesis, we must inspect the content of the biblical text. … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (6): 10 Basic Principles of Hermeneutics (continued)
6) The author’s intended meaning should be interpreted literally, unless the genre and the use of figurative language suggests otherwise.
Hermeneutics has a famous axiom: “If the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense.” When we speak about the literal meaning of a text, we are referring simply to the natural interpretation of the words as they are joined together into sentences and paragraphs. The writers were normal, rational people who communicated in the … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (5): 10 Basic Principles of Hermeneutics
I will dedicate two blogs to our ten principles. We will address five in each one.
Hermeneutics is the proper use of the principles of interpretation to discover the author’s intended meaning of a biblical text, with a goal of applying that meaning to a contemporary audience. The following principles of interpretation are designed to safeguard our exegesis as we seek to discover the author’s intended meaning and its significance for our contemporary audience.
1) The Bible … [Read More]
Engaging Exposition (4): Interpretation And Exposition: A Journey of Discovery
Before we can craft and deliver an expository sermon, we must learn how to “correctly teach the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).” John Broadus, in his classic work On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons wrote:
For the Scripture to have value for preaching and for the preacher’s text to become God’s message, the Bible must be interpreted correctly. To interpret and apply his text in accordance with its real meaning is one of the … [Read More]
Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary
You heard it here first. Advance the Church 2011 is coming to the Raleigh Convention Center May 4-5 with the theme, “Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary,” and you do not want to miss out. Tim Keller, Danny Akin, J. D. Greear, Tyler Jones, Eric Mason, Alan Hirsch, and Darrin Patrick are the plenary speakers.
The conference website poses and answers a provocative question: Is it possible that the reason the Church has lost … [Read More]
Comments Off
Missions and Seminary Education (2): Seminaries Must Cast a Missional Vision “Top Down”
Recently, I corresponded with a friend who is a theological educator. Our phone exchanges and letters centered on the topic of missions and seminary education. As I penned the latest letter in that exchange, I realized that some of the contents of that letter might be helpful for a broader public. I’ve modified the letter and broken it into sections, with each section representing a way in which we theological educators can foster a missionally … [Read More]
Spend Your Weekend at SEBTS Feb 4-5: Come Hear Danny Akin, Al Mohler, Michael Green, J. Budziszewski, and Bruce Little
Conversing with the Culture (Feb 4-5, 2011)
We at Between the Times would like to invite you to this year’s 20/20 conference, “Conversing with the Culture,” on Southeastern’s campus Feb 4-5, 2011. This year’s conference centers on how to speak Christian truth to a culture that isn’t listening, and features plenary sessions by Danny Akin (SEBTS), Al Mohler (Southern Seminary), Michael Green (Oxford), J. Budziszewski (University of Texas-Austin), and Bruce Little (SEBTS), in addition to 24 … [Read More]
