Beyond Inductive Bible Study...A Hermeneutical method.

 Inductive Bible Study 

by

Pastor Brett Peterson,

President, Coastland University

Senior Pastor, Living Water Fellowship   new site: www.livingwater.cc

As the authors of the Bible, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote their books, God had you in mind. He knew when you would read it.
He wants to speak to you in the pages of scripture.

Do you remember the first time you read the Bible and the message came alive? Do you remember when the mystery and the excitement of
reading the Words of God filled your mind and you were blessed each time you picked up God’s Word?

Many of you may be at the point in your life where the Bible isn’t as exciting as it used to be. Many may feel understanding and interpreting
scripture is too difficult for you. Some may feel like just reading commentaries instead of going through the process of discovery on your own.

Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray, and then listen…

Read the passage several times – until you can restate the entire concept in your own words. Also identify the author and the audience –
put yourself in the story – identify the backdrop (is it night or day? Are they in a city or the country? By a lake or river or in the desert?, etc.)

Be sure to note repeated words or themes, promises (who are they for?), prophecy (for whom: the church, Israel, or the world?), anchors to
your faith, truths to proclaim, significant people or places, theological concepts (does it confirm one or teach a new one?), events (do events
like this happen today), and special circumstances that make interpretation of the passage unique.

1) Do not rush this step! Take your time and prayerfully consider each word and idea.

2) Don’t assume you know the definition of a word – treat the text as if this were the first time you heard it – observe all key concepts and ideas,
etc.

1^st Rule

This step includes the 1^st rule of hermeneutics – define the key words and theological concepts.

Remember – always interpret and define the words literally, simply, and naturally – don’t look for symbols unless the literal interpretation /
definition violates any other rules of hermeneutics.

Define the words and concepts in this manner:

n Dictionary definitions first – both English and a Bible dictionary.
You may also want to use an etymological dictionary here also.

n Translate the words from the original languages. Strongs Dictionary, Interlinear, Greek Hebrew dictionaries with Strongs numbers.

n If the simple, natural definition does not appear to work, note that you will may have to identify any symbolism as you cross reference the
word or concept.

2^{nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th} Rules

The 2^nd rule is the rule of first usage, where the concept or word is used for the first time and defined in scripture. If it is a concept, you go to the
first use in the entire Bible. If it is a word, you go to the first use in the same language (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Chaldee, Persian, Akadian, etc.).

NOTE: YOU WILL ALSO APPLY RULE #’s; 4 (historical cultural), 5 (logic), 6 (precedent), & 7 (inference) AS YOU CROSS REFERENCE.

1) List the cross references and how they define the word or concept (or identify the person, place, or event).

2) Don’t get bogged down going to to many cross-references. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is a good resource. You could also use a
good chain reference Bible.

3) This is the heart of good interpretation. Remember the universal rule of Bible interpretation:

© Interpret scripture with scripture!

n An example of how to display your cross references.

3^rd Rule, Step five is rule number 3 – read the passage you are studying in context.

1. Read far enough before and after the passage you are studying to ‘paint’ a picture of what is going on.

2. As you read, you may need to look up places or people mentioned.

3. Notice words like ‘therefore’ and find out what the reason it is ‘there’ for.

4^th Rule

1. Identify all persons and places mentioned in the passage. Who are they? Look at the text through their point of view.

2. Find location(s) on a map and identify the location (desert, lake, city, etc.). Does this make a difference to the interpretation of the passage?
Get a good Bible Atlas.

3. Find the year it was written – I recommend you start your own timeline and fit this event into it’s proper location - look in the Time Table of
History book and find out what was going on in the world in this time. How does the historical context affect the interpretation of the passage?

4. How does the cultural context affect the interpretation of the passage. Try using Manners and Customs of the Bible.

5. If the historical or cultural context affects the interpretation of the passage, note how it does and how we come to a proper interpretation in
our historical / cultural context.

The process is as follows:

Gods Word Þ Scribes thought Þ written in his historical cultural context Þ history & culture changes Þ we receive the Word Þ we interpret the Word of God
through our cultural bias. Þ do we need to modify our filter to take into account the original authors historical cultural context in order to come to the right
interpretation of the passage being examined?

NOTE: The more you study God’s Word, the more you learn the historical cultural context and the less you have to research it each time you
examine a passage in the same period of time (or close to) one that you have already studied.

an·thro·pol·o·gy

1. The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of human beings.

2. That part of Christian teaching concerning the genesis, nature, and future of human beings:^[1]

Yes, in order to be a good student of God’s Word, you need to be a good Anthropologist.

“The anthropologists are busy, indeed, and ready to transport us back into the savage forest where all human things . . . have their
beginnings; but the seed never explains the flower.”

Edith Hamilton (1867–1963), U.S. classical scholar, translator. The Greek Way, ch. 1 (1930).^[2]

What’s my point with this quote? Simple – God is able to make His Word valid and authentic to each person in each culture regardless
of the historical backdrop – God’s progressive revelation is perfect and His Word stands the test of time – don’t be overly concerned with
this step – the Holy Spirit will make sure you interpret the passage correctly.

5^th Rule

From a drop of water a logician could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the other.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930), English author. Sherlock Holmes, in A Study in Scarlet, pt. 1, ch. 2 (1887).^[3]

Step 7 applies the 5^th rule – logic – that is applied in the following steps:

1. Understand the terms/concepts/ideas and define the terms.

2. Analize your findings – judge your conclusions and formulate a hypothesis or proposition.

In this step you apply scientific method:

1. State the Problem - A problem can't be solved if it isn't understood. In Biblical interpretation it may be an apparent contraction –
   grace vs. works, etc.
2. Form a Hypothesis - This is a possible solution to the problem formed after gathering information about the problem. The term
   "research" is properly applied here. Utilize all the above steps and rules to properly form a prepositional interpretation of the
   passage.
3. Test the Hypothesis - An experiment is performed to determine if the hypothesis solves the problem or not. Experiments are done
   to gather data. It is very important that good observations and records are made during an experiment. Cross-reference!!
   Find someone to articulate your initial interpretation and discuss it with them – consult a good commentary.

Controlled Experiment:

• Variable - The factor being tested in an experiment. Grace.
• Control - A part of the experiment without the variable.
  This part of the experiment is used as a comparison. God’s mercy.
• Data - Observations from the experiment. (Observations from further Bible study).

4. Draw Conclusions - After examining the data from the ‘experiment’ (Biblical research), conclusions can be drawn. In it's simplest
   form, the conclusion will be "yes" the hypothesis (interpretation) was correct, or "no" the hypothesis (interpretation) was not
   correct.

If the hypothesis (interpretation) is proven to be incorrect, you must find out what was wrong with it. This might lead
to the formation of a hypothesis about the hypothesis!

Scientific Theory - A logical explanation of observed events. The most logical interpretation of a passage that cannot be
completely defined by other scripture. Note that you must state when you teach or present this that it ‘your best idea’ of the
interpretation – don’t state it as verifiable if it isn’t.

Scientific Law - A theory that has been tested and widely accepted as true. If the full council of God’sWord agrees with your
conclusion, you can teach it as ‘Gospel truth’.

3. Reason – discuss and articulate your findings. See what a good commentary has to say.

‘Discuss’ has the idea of throwing ideas back and forth – like the old Greek Olympic game of disc throwing. Find someone to
articulate your ideas to – you may be surprised how the Holy Spirit illuminates your mind as you share with someone.

4. Analyze your findings by employing critical analysis as follows:

1. List all sub issues or concepts contained in the passage. Divide a cluster of issues or concepts into individual questions.
2. Eliminate factual (scientific and quantifiable) questions/issues/concepts/words. If you already are sure of the meaning,
   you don’t have to employ hermeneutics to interpret it.
3. Inquiry. Seek evidence. Sources can be your own experience, background and history of the issue/concept/word itself
   (or prior studies you have done – DO NOT take someone else's research as evidence of the proper interpretation – you
   must research it yourself. Look at Biblical facts and statistics, information and stories from other people, Biblical resources,
   etc.
   • How accurate are your observations?
   • Are you guessing or does scripture support your conclusions?
   • If there is more than one record of the event or concept in scripture, do they agree? If not, why?
   • How consistent is your interpretation with other sources?
   • How impartial are you as a Biblical interpreter? Do you avoid unsupported assertions, oversimplification,
     generalizations and false doctrine?

4. Did you do a complete study and gather enough information to rightly divide the Word of Truth? Did you ‘disect’ the
   passage?
5. Analyze and weigh your proposition (interpretation). Follow these steps:
   • Identify all assertions made – are they supported in scripture?
   • Identify all qualifications and conditions – explain any symbolism or special circumstances that lead your
     interpretation.
   • Identify all stated and unstated assumptions – list them and explain how you came to conclusion for each one.
   • Notice any connections between your interpretation, assumptions, and assertions.
   • Decide which assertions are the main ones.
   • Raise questions about each assertion.
   • Are there any biases evident?
   • Any assumptions glossed over?
   • Anything else not stated? Any parts of issue or passage not discussed?
   • Is the logic clear, concise, and valid?
   • Are all consequences and ramifications of the conclusion explored?
   • Is your interpretation valid in light of all the above?
6. Form a judgment on your handling of the passage by:
   • Review your own biases and tendencies. Be honest with yourself. Be sure your final judgment is objective and
     clear.
   • Be specific about the subject.
   • State your judgment carefully and precisely.
   • Include appropriate qualifications.
   • Distinguish certainty from probability.

6^th Rule

By this point in your analysis of the text, you should have discovered if any precedent exists by which you need to interpret the word
or the theological concept. Mainly this step is done in the cross referencing step.

If you did not find a prior occurrence of the word or concept when you cross referenced the passage, it would be wise to do it now.
One example is in the parables, there are occasions when Jesus defines terms within the explanation of the parable – in other parables
with the same terms, you may be able to apply the same definition in the parable you are studying (you still need to apply all the other
rules however, for it may be defined differently even if Jesus defined it another way in another parable).

7^th Rule

Is there a meaning inferred by another passage that can be applied to this one. For example, if we are ‘saved by grace, not by works’,
and Jesus told us in John 14:21 that if we love Him we will keep His commandments, we can infer that even though nothing we can do
will save us – it is all grace – beyond that if we truly love Jesus, we will want to please Him and keep His commandments.

In critical thought, the law of inference is just an instruction for obtaining additional true statements from a list of true statements. In
Biblical interpretation you do this by cross-referencing the concept in scripture.

Now you pray – meditate on the passage – give time for the Holy Spirit to instruct you – and write down your final interpretation based
on all the rules and above steps.

1. Write the interpretation in your own words.

2. Give an example of how we can apply it in our lives (if applicable).

3. Move to the next key word, concept, etc. in the text and start over with these steps and rules.

Congratulations! You are a Bible scholar!
A Theologian! A student of God’s Word!

If you have a computer, you may consider purchasing a Bible software program that includes these tools. The online Bible
is a good source and very inexpensive. QuickVerse deluxe is a excellent tool. If you have internet access, the Blue letter Bible by
Sowing Circle is AWESOME! Go to our site at http://living-water-fellowship.org and follow the link to the Blue letter Bible. You may also want to explore
our Bible College site at http://ccbcu.edu

Remember this, it is the Holy Spirit that illuminates your mind to the Truth in scripture – don’t get too caught
up in buying reference books – just read THE Book! Blessings to you and yours,

Pastor Brett

click here to email me!