Jesus the Radical Exegete
Jul 19th, 2008 by John
I was trained to do proper exegesis, that is, to rightly divide the Word of truth. Seminaries are good for teaching students how to do that kind of thing.
Jesus is teaching me to another type of exegesis: to exegete lives. Exegesis comes from a Greek word that means “to lead out.” It is the discipline of studying a text and “leading out” the proper meaning. Exegesis is a field of biblical studies. Pastoral exegesis is the field of human lives.
Scholars primarily exegete (ancient) texts. Pastors, who can be scholars, too, primarily exegete present human lives.
In the Western world the developing Christian pastoral ministry took a sad turn and a horrible confusion occurred. Pastors were taught to primarily deal with the sacred text (the Bible). Peoples’ lives were disposable; the Word was eternal. Pastors with Bibles in hand, therefore, were called and paid more to talk and to teach than to listen. We were trained to lay down the truth on people’s lives without even knowing much about those lives. Lives were disposable, transitory; the Word was eternal. We forgot that the good Shepherd said, “I know my sheep…by name.” Many pastors today could not tell you the names of the people to whom they “exegete” the Scriptures. The text is supreme; people are disposable.
Am I saying the Bible (biblical exegesis) has no place in pastoral work? Of course not. But if we take our cues from Jesus, we’ll listen long and well to people before we start spouting off good biblical exegesis. Maybe every seminarian should spend 30 years in obscurity, like Jesus did, before he or she is inflicted on the people of the land. I am convinced that the stories (aka “parables”) Jesus told were based on years of listening to the concerns, the dreams, the pains, the histories, the passions and the hopes of his people. I imagine when Jesus spoke, the people said, “Finally, someone is speaking my language.” We can only speak a person’s language when we know the person’s story. Jesus was a radical exegete.
Some people think Jesus was clairvoyant, with supernatural powers to read minds. I think he was a keen listener and sharp observer. One time his disciples freaked out when a woman poured expensive perfume on him. Jesus, however, ”exegeted” the woman and her actions as exceptionally sensitive.
I know of a pastor in my area of the world who actually avoids his people. Using the excuse to be “in prayer,” he hides in his office between his morning services. He prides himself in being a good Bible teacher. Maybe he is, but he’s a sorry excuse for a pastor.
When pastors, of all people, in the USAmerican form of church are too busy to exegete lives, then they betray their primary study. People are amazingly unique human beings made in God’s image and redeemed by God’s Son and loved by God’s Spirit, each one with a story uniquely his or her own. The pastor’s task–a diligent, artistic contribution–is to show people how their stories may be caught up into God’s grand story.
Maybe pastors should be sent to detective training school rather than to seminary. It’s a thought.
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I like these thoughts very much, John, and agree. We need to listen so much better to people as well as listen to God. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, each one.
The old way of just knowing the text is so engrained in our thinking, I’m afraid, it’s hard to break away from that, as arid as it is- hard in the way we look at Scripture, that is. But not hard at all, in real life, as I’ve seen and experienced it.
Great post and thoughts, as always, John.
In Communications training, there is an old saying that says:
Nobody is listening. Everybody is just waiting for their turn to speak.
Jesus knew people’s hearts and still knows our needs.
Ted,
I agree with your comments. When we get to know people’s stories and seek to lead them to encounter God, the biblical text loses its aridity and bursts into life. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Edgar,
As we give as much time to knowing people as we do to knowing the text, both take on richer dimensions of pastoral reality. I believe Jesus paid very close attention to people. Thanks for commenting. Blessings!
“He prides himself on being a good Bible teacher,” – a good Bible teacher lives the Word and then, that it makes it whole lot easier for his flock to understand it when he preaches it – I think.
Mark R,
You wrote, “…a good Bible teacher lives the word…” Praxis, my friend, is key to exegesis. You nailed it! Didn’t Paul write to the Corinthians, “…*you* are a letter of Christ read by everyone…”? We not only have a Bible, we are the Bible to many, many people.
John,
You make me happy to be pastoring a small church in a remote corner of ND. I haven’t always been the best in the past, but God is growing in me the ability to meet people where they are and listen to their stories and know their lives. I am able to speak God’s truth into their situations in a way that fits their lives because I listen first. Good words and great encouragement to keep learning and growing and stretching.
Jeff M,
Blessings on you and your ministry! Aren’t you glad the Book of Ruth is in the Bible? No kings, no war heroes, no priests…just two widows, one old, one young, and a good-hearted farmer…up in the equivalent of a remote corner in ND. If Jesus’ mustard seed teaching means anything, it means you are doing more to change the world than anything done in Washington, DC.
John,
Absolutely outstanding! You are right on as far as I am concerned. Far too many people have seen this as an either/or. Either I am a text person or I am a people person. Wrong! Pastoral ministry requires the exegesis of both.
John,
First time comment on your blog here. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have only ever been a part of a healthy church with a fantastic community of pastors, some professional, some not. I was so naive that as I began attending a prominent evangelical seminary (who searches the internet for their name every day) I was shocked at the way fellow students downplayed the need for a pastor to be a counselor, leader, and friend. I have heard so many times that the MOST important thing a pastor can do is preach, preach, preach after days of exegesis. Everything else is secondary. I have struggled to put into words the way I believe a pastor should lead and you have offered here a fine metaphor for me to communicate to my friends here. Thank you.
Jim Martin,
Brother, your encouragement means a lot to me. I am glad you liked the post. I agree that it is a both/and when it comes to exegesis. God bless you!
John
Evan,
Believe me, the *pastoral* calling is more about compassion than communication. Not an either/or, but a both/and. If your seminarian peers think pastoral ministry is only or primarily preaching, they will NOT last long in local church ministry, or they may last, but they shouldn’t call themselves “pastors.” I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. God bless you!
Dear John,
Oh my…..where to start with such a perceptive inspiring post! If at all in the life of a Pastor Leader; to have a clear demonstrating approach to being “that of a detective” (exegtete Jesus Creed Style) can we possibly imagine the beauty of “true transforming” from the inner depths of a man/or womans life? What their true story has too offer; let alone a ministry that could present itself from it-ever? I find it almost astonishing how Pastors seemingly hide in their offices; dream up a “somewhat” Biblical explanation from a few verses captured; when the richness of a persons fallen story is truly what God is desires of rather. Having good perception and discerning skills are of great quality when ministering to others or being a Pastor at all; otherwise our words fall on deaf ears in an un-reality representing of a Life that is NOT real.
As the humbled woman crawled to Jesus ’s feet from behind in shame; grabbing his cloak for “a true love” from a Pastoral Leader for “acceptance and forgiveness”….perfumes she offered to wash His feet; BUT…mostl of all… honesty she represented-begging for realness of love, leadership, and an ear….doors wide open make a big difference in God’s Eyes…as well as many others.
Kasey “Rahab”,
You would think that pastors would “get it”—that the biblical Story is pointing toward the stories of the people around them day in and day out. You have a great insight—I think the stories of people in our ministries “flesh out” the biblical stories. We need to be attentive to both. God bless you!