Reading oneself into the biblical text.

[Episkopos]

I took this from another site...

Narcigesis

"Narcissistic Eisegesis (“Narcigesis”) = Forcing the Bible to mean something you already want it to mean by superimposing yourself into the meaning of the passage, rather than interpreting Scripture for what it means about God, and letting the Scripture simply speak for itself. Conversely, seeking to understand Scripture for what it reveals about God is known as Exegesis, and is also sometimes referred to as the “Literal” or “Grammatical-Historical” approach to interpreting Scripture."

Human Wisdom And Eloquent Speechcraft.

"When we use the purpose driven-Bible strip mine model we simply have left His plan. We are no longer hearing about the story of Jesus Christ. We are now hearing human wisdom and eloquent speechcraft. It might tickle the ears. It might soothe the soul. It cannot however save anyone. It cannot convey any spiritual power whatsoever. The proper handling of the Word of God is known as exegesis. This is the proper interpretation and handling of Scripture. Exegesis allows God to speak through His Word -- what a novel concept! Then you hear the entire counsel of the Lord. Sometimes the message will be all about His love and other times it will be all about the need to repent and His wrath. When proper exegesis is implemented then we hear the Bible for what it was designed to be -- a story about Jesus Christ. When we start changing the story to use it for our lives and interjecting ourselves into the text we are engaging in what is known as "narcigesis"; which is reading oneself into the Biblical text."

 

[Michiah-Imla]

seeking to understand Scripture for what it reveals about God is known as Exegesis

Exegesis:
from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai ‘interpret’

I wonder what word the Greeks used to sound more sophisticated…

 

[Michiah-Imla]

People just need to read the holy scriptures and learn how to act according to its teachings, lessons, and admonitions.

It’s not complicated.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I took this from another site...

Narcigesis

"Narcissistic Eisegesis (“Narcigesis”) = Forcing the Bible to mean something you already want it to mean by superimposing yourself into the meaning of the passage, rather than interpreting Scripture for what it means about God, and letting the Scripture simply speak for itself. Conversely, seeking to understand Scripture for what it reveals about God is known as Exegesis, and is also sometimes referred to as the “Literal” or “Grammatical-Historical” approach to interpreting Scripture."

Human Wisdom And Eloquent Speechcraft.

"When we use the purpose driven-Bible strip mine model we simply have left His plan. We are no longer hearing about the story of Jesus Christ. We are now hearing human wisdom and eloquent speechcraft. It might tickle the ears. It might soothe the soul. It cannot however save anyone. It cannot convey any spiritual power whatsoever. The proper handling of the Word of God is known as exegesis. This is the proper interpretation and handling of Scripture. Exegesis allows God to speak through His Word -- what a novel concept! Then you hear the entire counsel of the Lord. Sometimes the message will be all about His love and other times it will be all about the need to repent and His wrath. When proper exegesis is implemented then we hear the Bible for what it was designed to be -- a story about Jesus Christ. When we start changing the story to use it for our lives and interjecting ourselves into the text we are engaging in what is known as "narcigesis"; which is reading oneself into the Biblical text."

And then there’s arguegesis too!

 

[Episkopos]

And then there’s arguegesis too!

Why does exegesis sound so much like "exit Jesus"!

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I might define narcigesis as…how can what I am reading here serve me…? Another definition could be - how can I use what I am reading to benefit myself and destroy or control others? Oh, one more - how can what I am reading here prop up my self esteem and make me look good to others?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

But honestly, I actually do read it as applicable to me personally. It shows me where I lack and what I lack. And I can see verses that God has actually done for me and in me and others where I have not yet experienced what it says. For instance, I’ve met people who say, I CANT sin because the Bible says so. But I read the verse and say, but I do sin and stumble in trust and whatever is not of trust is sin, so…how do I reconcile this?

 

[David H.]

"Narcissistic Eisegesis (“Narcigesis”)

Sometime when I read the Word of God, It reads me, convicts me of my shortcomings, leads me to see how unworthy I am and How Holy God is.... what would you call this? I Call it the Living word of God.... it is not just a book of history and theology, but a book that leads to our transformation and sanctification here and now in this world and throughout the ages. There is power in the Word of God that studying it with the intellect alone will fail to show us. We must read it with our heart and in the Spirit to experience this power and eat the bread of life found therein.

 

[Episkopos]

Sometime when I read the Word of God, It reads me, convicts me of my shortcomings, leads me to see how unworthy I am and How Holy God is.... what would you call this? I Call it the Living word of God.... it is not just a book of history and theology, but a book that leads to our transformation and sanctification here and now in this world and throughout the ages. There is power in the Word of God that studying it with the intellect alone will fail to show us. We must read it with our heart and in the Spirit to experience this power and eat the bread of life found therein.

I would amend the definition of narcigesis to reading oneself in a favourable way into the biblical text, while ignoring the warnings.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I would amend the definition of narcigesis to reading oneself in a favourable way into the biblical text, while ignoring the warnings.

Oh yes, that’s good! Because heavy narcissistic tendencies are to have rules/warnings/ punitive measures be for others but not for you.

 

[marks]

The proper use of Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:15 KJV
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Fill your mind with God's Word, meditate on it, give yourself wholly to His Word, in a word, submit yourself. So that everyone can see how much good it does for you!

Much love!

 

[marks]

Sometime when I read the Word of God, It reads me, convicts me of my shortcomings, leads me to see how unworthy I am and How Holy God is.... what would you call this? I Call it the Living word of God.... it is not just a book of history and theology, but a book that leads to our transformation and sanctification here and now in this world and throughout the ages. There is power in the Word of God that studying it with the intellect alone will fail to show us. We must read it with our heart and in the Spirit to experience this power and eat the bread of life found therein.

Amen!

Much love!

 

[Ancient]

I took this from another site...

Narcigesis

"Narcissistic Eisegesis (“Narcigesis”) = Forcing the Bible to mean something you already want it to mean by superimposing yourself into the meaning of the passage, rather than interpreting Scripture for what it means about God, and letting the Scripture simply speak for itself. Conversely, seeking to understand Scripture for what it reveals about God is known as Exegesis, and is also sometimes referred to as the “Literal” or “Grammatical-Historical” approach to interpreting Scripture."

Human Wisdom And Eloquent Speechcraft.

"When we use the purpose driven-Bible strip mine model we simply have left His plan. We are no longer hearing about the story of Jesus Christ. We are now hearing human wisdom and eloquent speechcraft. It might tickle the ears. It might soothe the soul. It cannot however save anyone. It cannot convey any spiritual power whatsoever. The proper handling of the Word of God is known as exegesis. This is the proper interpretation and handling of Scripture. Exegesis allows God to speak through His Word -- what a novel concept! Then you hear the entire counsel of the Lord. Sometimes the message will be all about His love and other times it will be all about the need to repent and His wrath. When proper exegesis is implemented then we hear the Bible for what it was designed to be -- a story about Jesus Christ. When we start changing the story to use it for our lives and interjecting ourselves into the text we are engaging in what is known as "narcigesis"; which is reading oneself into the Biblical text."

Hello,

I would also have to put in hermeneutics which are the rules for interpretation. The are like safety guardrails if you like.

I like the way you think as I have read a few of your post now.

Shalom

 

[Michiah-Imla]

hermeneutics

…from Greek hermēneutikos, from hermēneuein ‘interpret’.

Yet another Greek word meaning “interpret”?

 

[Michiah-Imla]

hermeneutics which are the rules for interpretation.

Hermeneutics is interpretation!

And there’s only two ways to interpret the scriptures: correctly or incorrectly.

 

[marks]

Thinking more about this . . . I feel that study is good to understand the sayings of the Bible. Once we've come to understand what's being said, let it wash over and through us so that we are swept away in it's truths as carried down a river. Let the imagery and descriptiveness and worldview form our minds as we give ourselves over into it.

Much love!