For All Nations Leadership Institute Servant Leadership Class Module 2-Lecture 2 http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.org

3. Introduction
• Studying Scripture requires a person to go beyond a
surface read of text; rather, do a deep study of text
to fully grasp its orthodoxy (RIGHT Meaning)
• The three worlds of text support this deep study by
working with the processes of exegesis and
interpretation for orthopathy (RIGHT Attitude) and
orthopraxy (RIGHT Practice).
• What is exegesis? When you exegete text, you
determine what its first readers understood it to
mean. Then, you interpret that meaning to explain
implications and applications for contemporary
settings and situations.

5. Reader Centered
• READER CENTERED. This is the world in front
of the text. The world in front of the text is the reader.
• Every reader brings his or her own perspectives and
beliefs to Scripture which, in turn, influence how that
person sees the text. These are the cultural glasses
through which you view text.
• SUMMARY. Your cultural glasses have two
lenses: internal and external. Both impact meaning
because it’s what you bring to the text

6. Reader Centered
Cultural
Iceberg:
The external
and internal
factors the
reader brings
to the text.

7. (Jan Paron, 2012).
Reader Centered
INTERNAL
FACTORS
Assumptions &
norms:
. Beliefs
. Values
. Thought Patterns
. Myths

8. (Jan Paron, 2012).
Reader Centered
EXTERNAL
FACTORS
Ways of life &
customs:
. See
. Hear
. Touch

10. Author Centered
• AUTHOR CENTERED, The author-centered
world goes behind the text. You study social,
political, cultural and ideological aspects from the
author’s time and intent (Tate, 1997)
• Ask, what went in the author’s world that influenced
the writing? In fact, place yourself there.
• Think of this as investigating behind the scenes to
learn about the audience, history, politics,
archeology. etc.

11. Author Centered
TIPS:
• Author’s Purpose. Think about what the author had
in mind when he wrote. For example, the four
Gospel accounts form a portrait of Jesus (Cox,
2011); however, each author wrote about with a
unique description, purpose and audience.
• Social. Consider societal rules for the time period
and events of the text .Take the Jewish purification
laws. If you understand these laws, you’ll see the
importance of Jesus’ contact with the marginalized
in terms of love and grace.

12. Author Centered
• Political/Historical: Know the history of that time.
Why was Jesus’ spiritual ethics of greatness so
counter to political dynamics in an honor-based
society?
• Culture: Culture makes a difference. Meaning works
hand-in-glove with the culture/s of that setting.
• SUMMARY. Place yourself as a character in God’s
inspired narrative. Learn about what God
communicated to His people, and then apply it to
what He says now.

14. Text Centered
• TEXT CENTERED. You find this world within the
text, meaning you look at the literary elements of
Scripture.
• What are the literary elements? These elements
include genre, word study, grammar, syntax, time
factors, etc.
• The Bible has numerous forms of literature, from
prophecy to poetry and gospels to epistles. Each
has characteristics that influence meaning.

15. Text Centered
TIPS:
• Genre You find various forms of literature in
Scripture from prophecy to poetry and gospels to
epistles. Each influence meaning.
• Language & Time Words take on various
understandings by language. Further, word
meaning changes over time and with context.
• SUMMARY. Remember the Holy Spirit illuminates
meaning. Pray before you study. Learn everything
you can about the text. You want the full picture.

16. Key Points
• By studying Scripture with the three worlds of
text, you uncover meaning from different angles.
• With each world you enter, you find new insight.
• Open yourself to new insight and Holy Ghost
revelation. Approach your study with a teachable
spirit

17. REFERENCES
Cox, D. (2013). The gospels. Alsip, IL: All Nations
Leadership Institute.
Cox, D. (2011). The gospels: A portrait of Jesus Christ.
Alsip, IL: All Nations Leadership Institute.
Paron, J. (2012). “Hermeneutics and the cultural iceberg
model.” PerSpectives 12, Retrieved on January
11, 2013, from http://specs12.wordpress.com/
2012/08/18/hermeneutics-and-the-cultural-iceberg-model/
Tate, W. R. (1997). Biblical interpretation: An integrated
approach. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
Photo credit: Power Point background—Sharefaith.com

18. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV).

19. Information:
Deb Strlek (debbiestrlek@msn.com)
http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.org