Life is a series of question, isn’t it?
Whatever age or stage of life, we ask questions. They come in all shapes and sizes, covering a multitude of topics. But they are all very real, and the answers don’t always come in nice, neat packages.
It is the fundamental question of, “Why?”
Why am I here? Why so much suffering around us? What’s wrong with the world? Where is God in the midst of pain? Why God?
Exegetical Study of Scripture based on Research
An exegetical study of Scripture approaches series of question such as these and provides with clarified answers.
In a careful expository approach to the inerrant Word of God with a precise clear method, which results and leads in giving tools for churches to practically apply within the local context.
Therefore, the systematic approach to giving clarity to the situation with a careful analysis gives a precise conclusion that will ultimately help the need of the congregation.
In my immediate context with our church, there may be a hesitation to the exegesis based on research by lay people as the idea is a foreign practice to the ordinary folks and even negatively frowned upon as a waste of time.
One area of researched exegetical study that could be extremely helpful, is the study which translates in the immediate analysis of a church in light of the contextual community in their intentional outreach ministry.
In an era where there is so much instant informational access via web-stream, there is a sense of apathy and hesitation in the church for the discipline of exegesis in empirical research-based study.
Part of the reason this may be happening is that research has been an overused term, which results in confusion within the everyday language of the people.
Scriptural Basis for Careful Analysis
Scripture calls believers to, “Hold to the standard of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13-14).
Paul challenges Timothy to not a careless rushed thinking, but to guard against with a clear careful approach to problems in various aspect of ministry.
The Bible reminds believers to avoid worthless foolish empty chatter, but instead to be thoroughly equipped and qualified with careful study of scripture. (2 Tim. 2:16; 3:17).
This practice of exegesis of scripture is a Christian discipline that none are exempt as an option to be considered.
Scripture is essential to the daily life of the believer. We need to read it, meditate on it, and pray it.
As people of the Word, the scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, correcting, refuting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
The God of the scripture not only holds pastors accountable of correcting preaching the Word but the lay congregants to lay hold of sound doctrine as well. Wolf that is clothed in sheep’s clothing will come in with the intent to destroy and deceive the unity of Church (Matt. 7:15).
In every circumstance, Paul commands believers to study thoroughly approved who are not ashamed who rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Therefore, I believe e research-based exegesis is faithful and is very much needed within the 21st century evangelical churches.
Critical Thinking in the Local Churches
An appropriate exegesis using empirical evidence of contextual makeup is critical to the local church.
It is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation of experience. Therefore, exegesis of text and empirical research is not merely information gathering nor documentation of summary of thoughts.
As one carefully analyzes the text of scripture, this is heavily driven from an academic educational standpoint; the discipline of scholarly background in the review of the primary method of pieces of literature, data collecting which is subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to answer life’s fundamental questions. It is an objective observation of experimentation.
A careful reading of God’s text eliminates flows in the presumption of argumentation.
This critical practice of studying syntactically summarizes the logical data and eliminates weak methodology of faulty thinking.