Which one is the most important?

When I began to consider the difference between exegesis and exposition I asked my self: “Which one is the most important?” Both of these are components of the over arching discipline of hermeneutics. Hermeneutics by definition is the “science of biblical interpretation”. (Henry A. Virker. 1981. Hermeneutics. Baker Books. Grand Rapids, MI ) It is considered a science because it has rules and these rules can be classified into an orderly system. This “system” can be defined by observing the difference between these two components. Exegesis is the process of interpretation designed to find the original meaning of the verse whereas exposition address the application of the passage to modern times. The first asks: “What was the message heard by the original recipiet?” and the other asks: What is the relevence of the passage to us today?”. Can you see the system? First there is the premise which is interpretation. (Hermeneutics). Then comes the foundation which is true meaning. (Exegesis). Lastly we have the value which is application. (Exposition) First I grow (Exegesis) so that I can make others grow (Exposition). Exegesis deepens my resevior so that others can drink from the fresh waters of application. Which is the most important? They both are!

Misunderstanding the Bible

When I consider the vast world of misunderstanding that invades Christian circles, I often wonder: “Are all these people reading the same Bible?” One problem is too much eisegesis and not enough exegeses. Eisegesis is a form of construal that causes someone to read his own interpretation into a given text. This approach to Biblical hermeneutics implies a subjectivity that can narrow ones view to the arena of personal experience. How shallow our understanding and narrow our world view if we were limited to our own familiarity. Contrast this to the approach using exegesis and you have a much more objective view.

Exegesis, as a term, means to “draw the meaning out of”. Exegesis is the discipline of reading out from the text what is in it, whereas eisegesis is the practice of reading into a text what the person wishes to see there. With this understanding it is easy to see how this subjective approach can be so dangerous.

The universe of hermeneutics is much larger than just this one distinction; however in light of these two I would have to conclude that (Spirit inspired) exegesis is indeed the preferred approach.

Joseph as a Leader

Recently I re-read the story of Joseph and Pharaoh found in Genesis 37-41. This time, I looked at the account in the light of Leadership theories. No doubt the Pharaoh of Egypt was a top down leader that would embrace the (Great Man Theory). This theory says, in essence, that leaders are born and not made. Contrast this with Joseph as a leader and you see something that might more closely resemble the (Behavioral Theory) which includes the idea that leaders are made and not born. We see this in the development of Joseph and in how he manages the supernatural. Early on, God gives him a dream and he parlays it into disaster. Later he handles the interpretation God gives him with humility and is elevated through promotion to productivity. It could be argued that Joseph was born with inherited traits that made him an excellent candidate for leadership. (Trait Theory) In his book “Handbook of Leadership” R.M. Stogdill gives a list of such traits. Here, I have compared them to Joseph’s leadership progression:
Assertiveness – He shared his dream
Self Control – He resists Potiphars wife
Dependable – He is promoted in prison
Responsible – He is elevated to Prime Minister

Leadership is First of All Love

Leadership, for too long, has been characterized by arrogance and self-righteousness that often led to hypocrisy as leaders developed a self centered agenda then strived to conceal who they really were. If leadership is tied to influence then it stands to reason that a key to effective leadership is relationship. The key to successful relationship is love. This idea of a leader being qualified through influence; influence being dependent on relationship; and relationship being enhanced by love is supported by Bruce Winston in his book Be a Leader for God’s Sake when he asserts that “leadership is first of all love!” If we want to get a clear picture of what this kind of leadership looks like, all we have to do is look at Jesus. If leadership is first of all love, then God help me to be a leader like Jesus!