Key Terms
Eisegesis (review) — Reading your own ideas, theology, or preferences INTO the Bible — the opposite of exegesis
Presuppositions — The assumptions and beliefs you bring to the text before you even start reading — everyone has them
Confirmation Bias — The tendency to notice evidence that supports what you already believe and ignore evidence that challenges it
Key Concepts
- Everyone has presuppositions — the question is whether you are aware of them
- Eisegesis makes the Bible a mirror. Exegesis lets it be a window.
- Let the text surprise you — if the Bible never challenges your thinking, you may not be listening
Scripture Focus
2 Timothy 2:15
2 Peter 1:20
Proverbs 14:12
Acts 17:11
Learning Objectives
- Identify your own presuppositions and explain how they can either help or hinder your interpretation
- Describe the difference between reading with your theology (awareness) and reading for your theology (eisegesis)
- Develop the practice of asking what a passage actually says before asking what it means for your existing beliefs
Resources
Download the companion handout for this lesson to review key terms and concepts offline.
Download Lesson Handout (PDF)