Ethical Reflections from the Book of Ruth

The Book of Ruth, often seen as a simple love story, holds profound insights into immigrant relationships, philanthropy, and social justice within the Hebrew Bible. Through a closer examination, we can uncover the ethical dimensions of the narrative, especially as they pertain to migration and community responsibility. Here are three key takeaways from this exploration:…

The O’s Have It Part I: God’s Omniscience in the Bible

One of the first things I learned in Seminary was that the gap between biblical and theological studies grew wider as scholars specialized. Even the vocabulary and basic assumptions about belief, faith, and the nature of God differed between the two camps. I was raised in a Christian tradition considered “full Gospel,” meaning any belief…

Embracing Lectio Divina: The Art Reading the Divine in Scripture

In exploring the depths of biblical passages, scholars often turn to rigorous analytical methods to unearth the text’s historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Yet, Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, presents an enriching alternative or complementary practice to traditional scholarly exegesis. This ancient technique invites us into a reflective and meditative engagement with scripture, blending intellectual…

Applying Biblical Passages to Contemporary Contexts: The Final Step in Exegesis

This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. Having meticulously navigated through annotating your passage, understanding its historical-cultural backdrop, structuring your analysis, and engaging with past scholarship, we now arrive at the…

Crafting a Structural Outline and Developing a Working Thesis for Your Exegesis Commentary

This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. In our journey through biblical exegesis, having explored both the “World in Front of the Text” and the “World Behind the Text,” we now…

Integrating Past Scholarship and Commentary into Your Biblical Exegesis

This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. After establishing a solid foundation through a structured outline and a clear working thesis for your exegesis paper, the next critical step is to…

Delving into the “World Behind the Text”: Unearthing the Historical and Cultural Contexts of Biblical Passages

This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. In our journey through biblical exegesis, after annotating our selected passage and exploring its significance in our personal and contemporary context, we now venture…

Understanding the “World in Front of the Text”: Bridging Biblical Passages and Personal Context

This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. After laying the foundation through meticulous annotation of your chosen biblical passage, it’s time to transition toward understanding the “World in Front of the…