Prescriptive & Descriptive

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Prescriptive & Descriptive

When studying the Bible, it is important to identify whether a verse or passage is descriptive or prescriptive. In particular, we should be wary of turning descriptive passages into prescriptive ones.

A passage is descriptive if it describes something or an event that has happened in the past. A passage is prescriptive if it commands us on what to do and what not to do. Descriptive texts simply describe what is happening without giving a command or instruction on how to act. 

It is important that we understand the difference between the two because when we take a biblical passage that describes an event and interpret it as a prescription for someone’s life, it can lead to a severe error. 

Examples of Descriptive and Prescriptive texts; 

  • The book of Exodus is descriptive, when it speaks about the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and how God rescued them.
  • The narrative account of King Solomon having 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) is descriptive and is not an action that God prescribes or advocates.
  • The ten commandments are prescriptive as it lists out things we should do and what not to do.

Yes, the Bible is meant to inform and guide our faith today, but not all of its passages directly address our specific situations. This is especially true because some parts of the Bible, such as poetry, parables, or prophecy, convey God’s truths in ways that require interpretation and understanding of their deeper meaning

We should read prescriptive texts appropriately in their right cultural and historical context. Similarly, we should also read the descriptive texts as narratives and not turn them into examples to be followed.

Types of bad hermeneutics

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Types of Bad Hermeneutics

Why can’t I Read the way I want?

Throughout the years, numerous preachers and writers have understood and interpreted individual Bible verses in ways that are contrary to their original context. In doing so, they have suggested meanings and formed doctrines that are not supported by the text itself, and neither is their meaning found in any standard commentary by reputable authors.

Below is a list of certain types of bad hermeneutics that are being used today.

Types of Bad Hermeneutics

A) – Isolationism: is the practice of isolating a verse of scripture from its proper context so as to change its meaning or support an unbiblical doctrine.

Example: Quoting Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) to justify unrealistic personal ambitions without considering the context of enduring hardship.

B) – Spiritualizing: is the reading of a spiritual idea or concept into the text even though the particular text does not support it.

Example: Claiming the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) represents hidden symbols about end-times prophecy rather than a call to love one’s neighbor.

C) – Culturalizing: Interpreting a scripture verse in light of changing culture instead of going back to the cultural context in which it was written.

Example: Dismissing the biblical teaching on marriage in Ephesians 5:22–33 as outdated rather than understanding its cultural and theological significance.

D) – Nationalizing: Reading one’s own country into a warning and/or promise that was given specifically to the nation of Israel.

Example: Applying 2 Chronicles 7:14 (“If my people… humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land”) to a modern nation without recognizing it was addressed to ancient Israel.

E) – Redefining: Assigning new meanings to biblical terms to suit one’s own theology.

Example: Changing the definition of “sin” to mean only societal injustices, ignoring its broader biblical meaning of rebellion against God.

F) – Generalizing: Assuming that a historical event or promise in scripture is normative and universally applicable today.

Example: Believing that God’s promise of land to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) applies directly to individuals or nations today.

G) – Emotionalism & Experientialism: Interpreting the Bible subjectively based on one’s emotions and personal experiences.

Example: Deciding God’s will based on feelings after reading a verse, without considering its intended meaning or broader context.

H) – Individualizing: Reading oneself into the text of scripture and claiming that the elements and characters in the text are about oneself.

Example: Seeing oneself as David in the story of David and Goliath, interpreting every “giant” as personal struggles to overcome.

I) – Numerological eisegesis: Taking various numbers in the Bible out of their context and assigning irrelevant meanings to them.

Example: Claiming that the number of fish caught in John 21:11 (153 fish) holds hidden codes for predicting end-times events.

J) – Assuming a false premise: Quickly jumping to conclusions about the meaning of a certain verse or passage of scripture, thereby resulting in a false interpretation.

Example: Interpreting Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not, that you be not judged”) as forbidding all judgment, without considering the call for righteous judgment elsewhere in Scripture (John 7:24).

What is the difference between Exegesis vs Eisegesis

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What is the difference between Exegesis vs Eisegesis?

Below is a breakdown of the process of Exegesis / Eisegesis that takes place in the reading of scripture. Through this comparison, we can easily see how both methods of interpretation have very different focuses.

As you can notice from the above table, there are considerable shortfalls in the Eisegesis interpretation.

There is no examination of the individual words within the text and their relationship to each other, there is no cross-referencing with the related passages, and no genuine desire to understand the actual meaning. 

In Eisegesis, the Scriptures serve only as a prop to the interpreter’s own ideas. Unfortunately, this is how majority of the sermons in today’s churches are being formed. The preachers start with an idea or topic in mind and then begin to search the scriptures for the relevant passages to support their ideas.

Instead, the proper approach to expositional preaching is to use scriptures as a basis of the sermon and allow the ideas, values and principles emerging from the passage to become the basis of the teaching.

DO’s & DONT’s Helpful steps to make sure you are using proper exegesis in your bible study. 

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DO’s & DONT’s

Helpful steps to make sure you are using proper exegesis in your bible study. 

Do not rush your reading. Survey the text of Scripture, read it several times if you have to, ask questions and read different translations.

Do try and understand the historical context, culture, and genre of the surrounding verses; to help you get a more precise meaning of the text. Also, note that each genre has its own rules for interpretation, so it is vital to keep this in mind if the ideas presented in a certain text of Scripture seem foreign to you.

Do keep in mind the grammatical principles that can often bring a different meaning to the sentence.

Do use Bible commentaries along with your daily scripture reading. All research work mentioned in points (2) (3) above has already been done by biblical scholars. Bible commentaries are an easy way to get useful insights into the academic world of scholars and experts who have put years of study into the Bible.

Do interpret scripture literally as you would reading any other literature rather than looking into the text for some mystical, secret, hidden or deep spiritualized meaning.

Do allow scripture to interpret itself. Particularly see how the New Testament interprets the Old Testament and how the New Testament writers understand the Old Testament.

Do interpret passages that are less clear to understand in view of those that are clear-cut and straightforward. This simply means that when there is doubt over challenging passages, read them with reference to clearer passages.

Do not draw any conclusions at the cost of proper interpretation. Sometimes, lazy efforts to put across an idea or a theme can lead to people twisting the Bible to make it say what they want rather than focusing on what God intended to say when He inspired the sacred texts.

Do avoid any superficial interpretation. For instance,” to me, this passage means,” or “I feel it is saying….” The passages have a clear meaning and message without us inferring our life experiences into them.

Do not over-spiritualize the passage. We tend to exaggerate our reading of the text to force a mystical / emotional experience out of it. We must interpret and understand the passage in its ordinary, literal, historical, and grammatical sense, just like you would understand any other piece of literature you were reading today. Even if you do not get goosebumps, you will learn to appreciate the timeless truths and principles behind the text of Scripture.

Do use proper Exegesis, which involves;

    • Observation: what does the passage say? What is the immediate context? Who wrote the passage, and to whom was it addressed?
    • Interpretation: what does the passage mean?
    • Correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible?
    • Application: how should this passage affect my life?

Accurate Bible study is undoubtedly hard work. Discerning what God is saying to us through His word can’t be accomplished simply by flipping through pages. We must be diligent as we carefully and accurately handle the Word of God.

While God has not hidden His plain truth of the gospel from us, there are some texts of Scripture whose meaning isn’t immediately clear to us and requires a certain amount of study.

Sometimes you might find the real meaning of a passage by understanding the culture to which it was addressed, and sometimes a simple nuance in the original language might clarify the text.

There are also some differences of interpretation (between some denominations and faithful teachers) in some passages that may never be resolved in this life. Still, it does not negate our responsibility to study them carefully and diligently.

First Timothy 5:17 says that “double honor” is to be given to those in the church “who labor in the word and doctrine. God has given teachers to the churches to help His people with correct instruction and an understanding of His Word.

This, of course, requires people who are committed to persistent, conscientious labor in response to the divine calling ~ not just on the teaching side but also on the listening side.

More importantly, we should note that while the Holy Spirit does perform the ministry of illumination, it does not excuse us of the requirement of diligent study (2 Tim. 3:16) and the requirement to always maintain a teachable spirit.

We should use whatever tools we have at our disposal as a means to expose our hearts and minds to the truth of the word of God.

Be a berean

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Be a Berean.

The Bereans were citizens of the city of Berea in Macedonia. We learn about them when Paul and Silas preached to them during Paul’s second missionary journey. Their approach to God’s Word is described in the following verse:

Acts 17:11 (NKJV)

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Who were the Bereans?

Berea was a city in Macedonia, located in what is now modern-day Greece. During Paul’s time, Macedonia was part of the Roman Empire, with a mix of Jewish and Gentile populations. The Bereans are introduced in Acts 17 as Paul and Silas’ next audience after they faced opposition in Thessalonica. Unlike the Thessalonians, who were hostile to the gospel, the Bereans were noted for their noble character and their eagerness to examine Paul’s message.

The Berean’s approach to Scripture

The Bereans serve as an exemplary model of how Christians should approach God’s Word. Here are three key characteristics of their approach:

(1) Willing Reception of God’s Word
The Bereans received Paul’s preaching with all readiness. They approached the message with open hearts and minds, eager to learn and understand.
Application: Modern Christians can emulate this attitude by coming to Scripture with a desire to learn, setting aside preconceived notions, and being open to what God wants to teach them.

(2) Examining What They Heard
The Bereans didn’t just accept Paul’s message at face value. They searched the Scriptures daily to verify whether his teachings aligned with God’s Word.
Application: Christians today can practice this by regularly studying the Bible, cross-referencing passages, and comparing what they hear from pastors, teachers, and other sources with the truth of Scripture. Tools like study Bibles, commentaries, and Bible apps can assist in this process.

(3) Continual Growth in Faith
Their daily engagement with Scripture not only validated Paul’s message but also deepened their faith.
Application: Growth in faith requires consistent study and application of Scripture. Christians should aim to make Bible study a daily habit, allowing God’s Word to transform their hearts and minds.

The Bereans’ example is a challenge for all Christians to adopt. Being a Berean helps believers guard against false teaching in a world filled with conflicting messages (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Regular engagement with Scripture grounds believers in God’s truth, enabling them to stand firm in their faith (Matthew 7:24-25).

Additionally, studying God’s Word deepens our relationship with Him, helping us know Him better, understand His will, and grow spiritually (Psalm 119:105).

The Bereans’ example reminds us that understanding and applying Scripture requires effort, but the rewards are eternal. By adopting their approach, we not only grow in knowledge but also in faith, becoming better equipped to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.

Context Matters

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Context matters

The key to understanding any verse of Scripture is context. There is the immediate context – the verses immediately preceding and following it – as well as the broader context of Scripture – the overall context of the story.

Moreover, there is the historical and cultural context of how the verse was understood by its original audience. The context of a verse can greatly affect the meaning and application of a verse, which may seem straightforward when quoted in isolation but will mean something significantly different when understood in context.

Context involves several layers that need to be examined:

1. Immediate Context:

This refers to the verses immediately surrounding the one in question. The Bible is often divided into thought segments or paragraphs, and a verse can be part of a larger argument or narrative. By examining the preceding and following verses, we can better understand the flow of the narrative.

2. Broader Biblical Context:

This looks at how the verse fits into the whole Bible. The Bible is a compilation of various books written over centuries, each contributing to a grand narrative (i.e., God’s redemptive plan through the Gospel). Regardless of where a verse stems from be it in the law, the prophets, the gospel account or the epistles they all fall into one grand story centered around the person of Jesus Christ.

3. Historical and Cultural Context:

Each book of the Bible was written within a specific historical period, shaped by its unique cultural norms and practices. Understanding the historical events, social structures, and cultural expectations of the time helps us better grasp a verse’s meaning. For example, in the New Testament, knowing about Jewish customs surrounding purity laws sheds light on Jesus’ interactions with lepers and others considered “unclean” (Mark 1:40–45)

4. Theological Context:

This is concerned with the broader doctrinal truths of Christianity. In order to interpret a verse correctly, it needs to be interpreted in light of our fundamental beliefs about God, salvation, sin, grace and other core teachings of the faith.

5. Literary Context:

The Bible contains a variety of literary genres, including poetry, narrative, law, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic literature. Understanding the genre of a passage is essential because the interpretation of a verse is influenced by the type of literature it belongs to.

6. Canonical Context:

It refers to the position of a book within the canon of Scripture. It is important to understand that some books are foundational (such as Genesis) whereas others are complementary (such as the Epistles). A verse’s interpretive significance can be prioritized based on its Canonical context.

7. Linguistic Context:

The Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Understanding these original languages can provide deeper insights, especially in cases where a word or phrase has multiple meanings or when the original text includes nuances like wordplays that are less obvious in translation. While translations faithfully convey the message of Scripture, exploring the linguistic context can enrich our understanding of the text.

Conclusion

As we can see, considering the verse in its context can reveal a different meaning than from what is apparent from in its isolation. If context is misunderstood, Scripture can be misapplied or misused, potentially leading to doctrines and beliefs that were not intended by its authors or God Himself. The context of the biblical text must therefore be carefully studied for proper interpretation.

What’s the right way to do it?

In the literal sense, exegesis means “to lead out of,” meaning that the interpreter arrives at his conclusions by simply following the text.

Allowing Scripture to speak for itself leads to far less error as we try and apply it to our lives.

In exegesis, the reader is able to extract what the writer intended to express, rather than making the Scriptures about what we want it to say and mean.

This method of interpretation involves making God’s word the ultimate and final authority and simply allowing the text itself to speak to us.

Proper exegesis helps us discover the text’s true meaning by respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. More importantly, Scripture also commands the use proper interpretation;

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Any honest student of the Bible must apply proper hermeneutics and allow for the text to speak for itself. Proper hermeneutics is essential because if we incorrectly interpret the Bible, our conclusions and beliefs about God and Christianity will also be wrong.

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