Interpretation of the Bible Using the Various Types of Critical Disciplines.
Introducing the old Testament Exgesis of the Biblle,
The word ‘Bible’ originates from the Greek word ‘ta biblia’ wchich means a collection of many books put together as a cyclopedia. This fits the Bible because it is a collection of many books especially in the Old Testament. This shows that the word ‘Bible’ well chosen. It was written by many authors inspired by the holy Spirit The Bible is the revelation of God himself and many Christians believe that God communicates to them through reading the Bible. The bible is the source of wisdom for many. The aim of this paper is to interpret the Bible using the various types of critical disciplines and ensuring that the exegesis responds to the literal and theological criticisms demonstrating an understanding of the history, literature and theology of the Hebrew Bible with the ability of doing exegesis.
The nature of the books of the Old Testament
The Old Testament has 39 books and that is according to protestants and the Jewish but according to the Catholic edition, it has forty six books. All thsese books historically were written in the ancient times by the authors from the East. They used a language that needs to be interpreted by the modern church to make it understandable.
Different races of Christianity have absolutely different views on the Biblical exegesis and how they are carried out. One of the views considers exegesis that God (The Holy spirit) led and inspired those who wrote the scriptural texts, and the words in the context convey a revelation that is divine. According to this view of exegesis, there is a principle that applies which is called ‘sensus plenior’, meaning that there is divine authorship inclusive. The scriptures have a deeper meaning than the thinking of the people who wrote them because they could not oversee everything. The other Christian view of the exegesis is rational and bases its explanation and operation purely on human own inspiration “artistic aspiration” meaning that the authorship of the scriptures are absolutely as a result of the human intelligence and the social environment surrounding the authors (Marshall, 2013).
The Old Testament can be interpreted using various types of critical disciplines. This is done through interpretation and explanation that is critical of text especially texts of religion. In ancient times the term ‘exegesis’ which is the critical expansion and understanding of the religious text was the primary interpretation of the Bible. Therefore, “Biblical exegesis” is applied in a wider context in the religious text. Exegesis is a combination of a broader perspectives that are critical and disciplines. When we focus on biblical textual criticism, the inquiry of the history and originality of the text, sometimes exegesis it involves the study of cultural and historical backgrounds of the author, the original text and the audience presented. Other interpretations and analysis may involve the categories of the literary forms that is present in the text under interpretation and grammatical analysis and features of synthesis in the text itself (Bruce, 2011).
Usage of Words in the Old Testament
Exegete is the one who practices exegesis or critical explanation and interpretation of a text. When the interpreters are many they are called the exegeses. In reference to the exegesis of the Bible, the reverse of the word exegesis is the eisegesis. That is ‘drawing in’ which is the opposite of drawing out (Broyles, 2012). In chapter one according to Lawrence Boadt, the book of Psalms 104: 24 there is constant use of the word ‘your’. This shows how the Old Testament is personal making reference to God. This shows the power of God because the word ‘your’ is constantly used to make reference to the most high. Another word that is commonly used in the Old Testament is the “might” making reference to God also shows how powerful He is. Also there is a distinction between the term faiths in the two testaments but much concentration is in the Old Testament.
The religious movements
In the Old Testament, there were a number of different movements of schools of thought made by the Romans and Hasmoneans. There was no peace among them as any political situations. The major parties included the Pharisees, Sadducees and the essences. They had different views on the punishment that was before them from God. The developed different interpretations of the commandments of the book of exodus and developed different systems on how it should be followed.
The Canon and Deutero-Canonical books
The Catholic edition has forty six books of the old testament and not 39. This brings about the canonical question. Canon is the Hebrew word which was to be used in measuring religion. The catholics suggest that the extra seven books to be added to the Old Testament but protestants and the Jewish inisist that the old testament should only consist of the 39 books.
The Old testament includes historical books, the books of wisdom and even the prophetic books. The lisit of these books in the old testament illustrates how the books are divided and broken down. Important to note is that the torah and the Pentateuch have a significany of the same introductory five books group of books of the bible that were anciently given to Moses at Mount Sinai by the Most holy one after the exodus from Egypt. According to the Jewish, the book of Genesis and the other four form the most sacred center for scriptures. (Murphy, & Huwiler, 2012).
Exegesis is found to be necessary in the Old Testament because it brings about the critical explanation and interpretation of the Biblical Text making it easy to be understood easily.
References
Boring, M. (2011). Revelation: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press.
Broyles, C. C. (2012). Psalms (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series). Baker Books.
Bruce, F. F. (2011). Philippians (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series). Baker Books.
Marshall, I. (2013). Book Review: Especially for preachers: David Lyle Jeffrey, Luke–Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. The Expository Times.
Murphy, R. & Huwiler, E. (2012). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series). Baker Books.
