Hermeneutics & Exegesis
Hermeneutics is the theory of textual interpretation. One's hermeneutical approach has a significant effect upon the results of one's interpretive conclusions. Hermeneutical practice often reflects not the biblical viewpoint, but the agenda of our pluralistic, special interest culture.
Exegesis -The word exegesis can mean explanation, but as a technical term it means "to draw the meaning out of" a given text. Exegesis may be contrasted with eisegesis, which means to read one's own interpretation into a given text. In general, exegesis presumes an attempt to view the text objectively, while eisegesis implies more subjectivity. However sometimes objectivity is in the eye (theology) of the viewer.
Your rules of exegesis (hermeneutics) is driven from your theology. That is to say a person who is a covenant theologian does not come to the same understanding of certain doctrines as one who is an dispensationalist. Our theology sometimes becomes lens through which we filter God’s word. In other words our theology determines our exegesis (esigesis)instead of the text inself.
Traditional exegesis requires the following: analysis of significant words in the text in regard to translation; examination of the general historical and cultural context, confirmation of the limits of the passage, and lastly, examination of the context within the text(much of these are subjective). However, I suggest that we always use as a final step and that would be to evaluate our interpretation against other Scripture. Ask the question is our interpretation in unity with what the Bible teaches as a whole about this subject?
Therefore unless one uses as part of their exegesis process the total message of the Bible (let Scripture interprete Scripture), their exegesis may become esigesis (reading a meaning into the text instead of out of it). Exegesis or esigesis many times is in the eyes of the beholder!
Four Soils Ministry’s Preaching School tries not to force a theology upon the student, but make the student aware of the differences and how they impact Bible interpretation, while allowing the student to maintain or develop (choose) they own theology. It is our belief that if a student is well grounded in their Biblical understanding, their exegesis will be solid.