This question was asked in my last ThM (Master of Theology) exam at DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary). I want to share my official write-up so that those following understand where I’m coming from as I interpret Scripture.

My Methodological Approach to Bible Study:

My approach to Bible study is inductive, canonical, and Christ-centered, carried out with a grammatical-historical hermeneutic and shaped by the church’s historic faith.  I aim to discern the author’s original intent by examining the context in which the text was created.  I am seeking to understand both what the author intended to say and the intended meaning for the original audience of the text. 

I start with a prayerful reading of the text from various translations. My initial focus is on carefully examining the words, genre, structure, and literary context of the passage, while also placing it within its historical and cultural background. Then, I aim to observe key terms, repeated patterns, and the flow of the argument; compare different translations; and use original-language tools when applicable. This process is facilitated through Logos Bible Software.  

I will then interpret the text within the broader canonical context, tracing intertextual links and the overarching narrative of Scripture to understand how the passage contributes to and is illuminated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I carefully evaluate theological synthesis, distinguishing what the text asserts from my own assumptions, and I verify conclusions against reliable, peer-reviewed sources. I begin by consulting primary source documents, then proceed to peer-reviewed journal articles, focusing on scholarly commentaries, and finally consider other secondary commentaries. I also cross-check my conclusions with the understandings of early church fathers, confessions, and other global church wisdom. While I review these sources, I do not limit myself to their interpretations and aim to hold the text in high regard.

Ultimately, I strive to create an application that remains faithful to the author’s intent, is sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s work, and prioritizes worship, holiness, and loving one’s neighbor. My methodological approach to Bible study is centered on context. By context, I mean the environment that shaped the thing I am reading.  

May we all study Scripture faithfully!

What is your methodology for Bible study?