Bible Word of the Day

Biblical Criticism (Exegetical Bible Study)

Meaning
Biblical criticism and exegesis is the study of God and His interactions with His creation. In addition, it looks at His purposes as they related to His plan of redemption for all mankind as written in the Bible. Biblical criticism involves using various ways of doing biblical exegesis. Each having a specific goal and a specific set of questions. Some methods are more historical, others more literary, still others are more sociological or theological. However, we have to understand that Biblical criticism does not mean “criticizing” the text of the Bible, or criticizing those scripture passages you don’t like. Rather, it means asking “critical” questions, based on “criteria” that is as clear, careful, concise and objective as possible. Some of the questions we ask when reading include who is the author of the work? What do we actually know about them? Is the attributed author the actual author, or is the work pseudepigraphical?

We also look at when, where, and under what circumstances was the work written? Who were the recipients of this letter? Where did they all live? What words are used, and what range of meanings do they have based on the original languages? What images and symbols are used, and what do they signify? What characters appear in the story? What do we actually know about the characters of the story? How are the characters related to one another in the story? In addition, we look at how many manuscripts are in existence? How old they are? How do they contrast with one another?  In addition, we ask, does this work fit in with the overall story of the Bible. By doing this we not only discover what God is teaching us, but we also come away with a better understanding of God’s word. We also gain the security of knowing, that what we hold in our hand today is indeed the word of God, and that it has not been altered through the ages.