Exegesis as method of studying scripture. I see a potential…

5 years ago • July 19, 2021 • by ourCOG

Exegesis as method of studying scripture.

I see a potential problem with use of only exegesis in study of scriptures. And that is, it can be used to promote the view that Jewish heritage, via blood descent from Abraham and Jacob, is a prerequisite for salvation. And also promote, for those not of biological descent, coversion to Judaism as the way of salvation for Gentiles.
I can see that exegesis, nullifies the NT and christianity itself, if applied in its pure and strict form, without christian bias, to the OT.
I wonder whether Dispensationalism evolved as method to resolve this potential theological conundrum.

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Discussion

17 comments

Larry Koester says:

April 5, 2020 at 10:42 pm

Not if you use it through out scriptures and realize that it is one unified story, or is that what you mean. Scripure interpretes itself and refers back to itself in explaination.

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Mirzoyeva Naira says:

April 6, 2020 at 12:15 am

in the new testament, we are told that if we are believers, we are heirs of abraham.

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Stephen Valenta says:

April 6, 2020 at 2:46 am

The book of Acts accounts for that potential problem.

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Ramon S. Quilala Jr. says:

April 6, 2020 at 3:13 am

This is where dispensation will have it’s role

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Peni Biukoto says:

April 6, 2020 at 3:18 am

In reading superficially on exegesis, I realised that the Pharisees and Saducees may have used the same method to reach the following conclusions. (1) Salvation and the promises were only for the biological Jews (2) Gentiles may be saved by conversion to Judaism (3) The Messiah will lead the physical nation of Israel (4) All other nations will serve the Messiah and in extension the Jews. I believe Jesus daily faced these teachings and so did the apostles. The letters to the Romans and Hebrews may be addressing these persistent interpretations of scripture in the early church (a hangover from converts from pharisaic teachings).
The relevance to today. I come across similar interpretations, in various forms, in Judaism and some sections of christianity.

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Al Hendrickson says:

April 6, 2020 at 4:30 am

Read Genesis 15 and Galatians 3.

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Kate Marie Wendi says:

April 6, 2020 at 5:42 am

Wrong. Believing elect all spiritually seed of Abraham book of Galatians. Believing elect nationally of physical Israel, seed of David.

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Eric Ritterschmied says:

April 6, 2020 at 6:38 am

The Jew are not save…Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

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Lunard Lewis says:

April 6, 2020 at 8:25 am

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
(2 Tim. 3:16-17, NASB)

If one studies ALL of Scripture, one sees that God saves Jews as well as gentiles like Rahab, Ruth, Uriah, Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, and Ninevites(!). As God unfolded His revelation one sees that He always intended people from every nations to be included in the covenant made with Abraham the father of many nations. God’s word in the NT is not the only place that He reveals His plan for the salvation of people of many nations.

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Harold Goldman says:

April 6, 2020 at 11:18 am

Exegesis is drawing from the text not reading into it coupled with context is how we understand literary works

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Casey Powell says:

April 6, 2020 at 3:08 pm

Only if you don’t understand Hebrew

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Casey Powell says:

April 6, 2020 at 3:09 pm

Numbers 15:13-16 talks about Geir, which is a Gentile believer in God.

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Ademoyegun Oluwatobiloba says:

April 6, 2020 at 3:50 pm

Exegesis is done when you read the whole context of the subject matter involved and not adding personal individualistic meaning to it,is based on the context and the context alone.

The bible was not originally written in chapters and verses but was done that way for easy comprehension.

2tim3:16-17:

” All scriptures is given by inspiration of God and it is profitable for: doctrine; reproof; for correction,for instruction in righteousness:
17:” That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works”.

V15: And from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures, which is able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”

The Greek word for scriptures is – gramma- which means- writings, bills,

While in v16: it says “All scripture”, the Greek word there is- graphe— it means—contents of a writings.

At this point where Paul was writing to Timothy the new testament was not yet compiled , so Paul must be referring to the old testament. He taught from the old testament.

So,the Bible should be read together, if we’re to understand its message. And the purpose of the Bible is not seen in it’s; style, or figures of speech ,
The purpose is seen in ita contents which is salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone and alone.

We can see that the practice of beginning a book in the Bible with genealogy stopped Matthew when Christ was born because Christ Is the fulfilment of all what the old testament prophets prophesied about and by extension salvation.

And salvation includes everyone who believes in the gospel.

Rom1:16: ” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is power of God unto salvation, to the jew first and the Greek”.

So , salvation is for everyone, Paul says here that it was to the jew first which is true according to the scriptures, the Jews were the descendants of the people of Israel (their ancestors), the gospel was preached to them but they still couldn’t enter this rest because of their unbelief, The book of hebrews chapter 3 , expands on this.

Abraham was justified by faith not of works but of faith, that’s why anyone who exercises the same faith towards the gospel is refered to as a seed of Abraham, not of circumcision of the flesh but of the spirit, read Rom6, Gal3

So, correct exegesis is when we read everything together, the salvation of Christ is not only for the Jews the blood line of Israel, but also for the gentiles and every one who believes.

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Jeremy Hill says:

April 6, 2020 at 6:12 pm

Exegesis, Eisegesis, and Hermeneutics

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-are-exegesis-and-eisegesis.html

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Christopher Carver says:

April 6, 2020 at 6:19 pm

It seems to me your questions are answered when you take in to account the 3 horizons on hermeneutics.

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Peni Biukoto says:

April 7, 2020 at 7:32 am

Thank you all for the helpful comments and links.

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July 19, 2021 at 10:00 am

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