Lately, the youth group has been going
through a study of the Holy Spirit, and we have been presented with a question
that I think is very important for all of us to constantly consider to a
certain degree: eisegesis or exegesis?
Right now some readers want to scoop up their electronic device, drive
over to my current location and throw said device right in my face for using
such ridiculously large words. Let me
explain first, please! Exegesis, when it
comes to Bible study, refers to allowing scripture to dictate and formulate
truth. Eisegesis is simply using
scripture as a tool to reinforce what we already believe to be true, our
preconceived doctrines and opinions. The
question is incredibly important: are we allowing scripture to truly dictate
truth in our study?
Do you ever talk to people who already have
their opinion made about what you're saying?
That's a fun conversation, right?
No matter your argument or your facts, they aren't listening to learn or
even with an open mind, but they merely listen for anything you may say that
can prove their point. That's
eisegesis. That's how many of us study
the Bible. Right now, the youth group is
studying the identity and presence of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit conversation has been the
breaking point of many church fellowships and even the identifying marker for
certain denominations. How can we all
study the same text and disagree on the meaning? That's an important question, for scripture
only teaches one truth. We can contort
just about any written statement to cause it to say something different, and
sometimes opposite, to its original intent.
We see this in studies on history, in politics and in gossip. It is true that many points of disagreement
between Christians are minor when in comparison to things like the identity of
Jesus and the authority of God's Word; however, we should all strive to learn
the truth of scripture! That truth is
found exegetically, allowing scripture itself to dictate our understanding.
Are we willing to do that? That's a steep commitment! Many of us jump in without hesitation. It might seem heretical, but may I please give
a plea for caution? Please, count the
cost! If scripture says that Jesus is
the only truth and that there is no way to the Father that is not through Him
(John 14:6), we must ask if we are willing to submit to that. If we want to hold on to being able to do all
things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13), we must also
submit our will to God (James 4:7) and allow ourselves to be purchased...owned
by God (1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23). This
is really just a question of what authority does scripture have in your
life? It's a really tough question! If scripture commands me to do something I
don't want to do, I might not like that absolute authority. The same is true for if and when scripture
tells me to stop doing a thing that I really want to do. Now, scripture is authoritative whether we
want it or not. When my mom told me to
clean my room, there was no question or conversation. My mom is from upstate New York, that room
got cleaned! We do, however, have the
choice to submit or not to the authority of scripture. We do.
However, if the Bible isn't the absolute authority, then neither is God
or Jesus and there really is no point in being a Christian.
Let's be honest, many of us manipulate
scripture because we don't like being wrong, don't like submitting or, probably
in most cases, both at the same time.
Here's the challenge. Using the context
of scripture (not just simply asking what the passage written in first century
Greek or BC Hebrew means to us in 21st century America) let's shut off our
preconceived notions, our extra-Biblical doctrines, what we believe to be
necessary pillars holding up our understanding of reality, and just let the
Word of God be living, active and sharp enough to cut to the very core of the
truth (Hebrews 4:12). The word of God is
from His very breath, the interaction of His Spirit through the writers, and is
absolutely capable of guiding every one of us into all truth (2 Timothy
3:16-17). Let's study to understand
God's will, not to try to prove our own point.
In His Grip,
BJ
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