EXEGESIS and EISEGESIS

MYSTERY OF THE WATER part one

A MODERN PARABLE

College aged group enjoys eating their first

dinner in the mountains, after a day of travel

and setting up their tents.  The Hike Boss

makes an announcement, “We are going to

have an exciting weekend, hiking, fishing,

swimming, campfires and exploring the Word

of God.

A husky 20 year old man named Dan remarks,

“This is a beautiful place, I hope we’re not

going to spend our time up here listening to

boring sermons.”

The Hike Boss smiles, 

“You are absolutely right Dan, I am not up here to preach, I am here to lead.  In fact everyone in our group is going to be involved in this investigation and exploration of the Bible.”

Sally blurts out, “I already know what the Bible

says.  Come on, this is our play time.”

Staring into Sally’s eyes, Hike Boss replies, 

“That’s our problem Sally.  Do you know the

difference between Exegesis and Eisegesis? 

 

Embarrassed, she replies, “Not really.”

Peter shouts out, “Eisegesis is making the Bible say what we want it to say.  While Exegesis is allowing the Bible to speak to us.”

Hike boss speaks, 

“This weekend you are going to do some CSI detective work on what Jesus means to be Born Again? Let’s begin our examination by opening to John chapter three.”

James spouts out, “Cardinal Langton created 

the first chapter divisions in Bible in 1205 AD.  And Robert Stephanus a printer, added verse numbers in 1551 AD.  The Bible was originally written without chapter breaks.  We need to start at the beginning of the story in middle of chapter two.”

Debra volunteers to read: 

(John 2:13-25 NTFE New Testament For Everyone)

"It was nearly time for the Judaean Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 

In the Temple he found people selling cows, sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting there.  He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the Temple—sheep, cows and all. He spilt the money-changers’ coins onto the ground, and knocked over their tables.

 “Take these things away!” he said to the people selling doves. “You mustn’t turn my father’s house into a market!”  His disciples remembered that it was written, “The zeal of your house has eaten me up.” The Judaeans had this response for him. “What sign are you going to show us,” they said, “to explain why you’re doing this?”  “Destroy this Temple,” replied Jesus, “and I’ll raise it up in three days.”

 “It’s taken forty-six years to build this Temple,” responded the Judaeans, “and are you going to raise it up in three days?”  But he was speaking about the “temple” of his body.  So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Bible and the word which Jesus had spoken.”

 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, several people came to trust in his name, because they had seen the signs he did.  But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them. He knew everything, and had no need for anyone to give him information about people. He himself knew what was inside people.”

Hike boss, remarks, “This is the backstory and set up for chapter three. 

Debra states, “Several years later Jesus will be crucified on a Passover, and in three days he’s going to raise himself back to life.”

Ruthie, adds, “He sure made the Pharisees angry, no wonder he didn’t open up and want to talk to them.  But the amazing thing, several people began to trust his word.

Hike Boss,  "It's time to clean up.  Don't leave any food on the table for chipmonks and bears."