Hermeneutics, Exegesis vs. Isogesis

When we read God’s Word, an interpretive method is used to understand what God is saying.  In fact, we always use a method of interpretation when we read any book or whether we are listening to someone talk.  In a conversation, we interpret not just by the words spoken, but we also use the speaker’s body language to interpret.  With God’s word, there are two methods that people use, exegesis or isogesis.  Exegesis is defined as “reading out of the scripture.”  Isogesis is defined as “reading into the scripture.”  Some incorporate a little of both, maybe a little bit more of one over another.  Unless one is critically aware of their method of reading and studying scripture, both meth0ds are used to some degree though a person leans more heavily towards one over the other.  The correct method to read and understand God’s word is exegesis.  This means that we come to the table and allow God’s word to define our theology.

Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting the bible.  The science involved in interpreting the bible is based on rules such as the context, who is speaking, who is being spoken to, what the message is being given to the group being spoken to, and in difficult passages, allowing more clear passages to interpret the more difficult passages.  Scripture interprets scripture. 

We all have a hermeneutic but we do not all use the same hermeneutic.  Some use a literal interpretation when a literal interpretation is inappropriate.  For instance if I wrote “it’s raining cats and dogs,’” it cannot be interpreted literally.  Any native English speaking person would understand the meaning of that statement whereas a non native English speaking person may be confused as to what I meant. 

Exegesis & Isogesis

Exegesis and isogesis are methods of hermeneutics that people use to interpret the bible.  Isogesis is bad hermeneutics.  It is the method of pouring meaning into the scriptures.  An example would be Mary being a perpetual virgin.  Scripture does not make that statement.  Jesus had brothers and sisters.  It is incorrect to state that those brothers and sisters are cousins as there is a Greek word for cousin.  It is incorrect because scripture states that Joseph did not know her until Jesus was born.  Those are clear statements made by scripture.  Isogesis is the method of interpretation used with Mary being a perpetual virgin. 

Strictly literal interpretation and using an isogesis method of interpretation is bad hermeneutics.   It does not convey the intent of the author.

Exegesis is the correct method of interpretation.  This method allows scripture to define the proper interpretation.  We want to draw out the meaning of the author.  What is the author saying?  What is the message to the target audience?  How would someone speaking from a particular culture address his audience?  Ancient culture differs from our modern culture.  Ancient Jewish culture differs from our modern western culture.  We think different than Jews of Jesus’ time. 

If a person’s background is covenant theology, they will interpret scripture based on that hermeneutic as opposed to a person who uses a dispensational theology.  A person from a Pentecostal background will interpret scripture vastly different than a non Pentecostal.

Scripture is God breathed and He did not have different meanings for different groups of people.  There is only one interpretation though it may have different applications based on a person’s life.  “Do not covet” has one meaning but the application in one person’s life may be different than another person’s life.  Ridding ourselves of presuppositions and/or clearing our mind of what we may have been taught and letting God speak to us through His written word as He meant it is proper bible interpretation.  This is how correct doctrine will be determined.  This is Exegesis.

 

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