Theological Term of the Week

 

eisegesis

The process of reading into a text of scripture a meaning that is not there. 

• From Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, Dictionary of Theology, Eisegesis:

  An example would be in viewing 1 Cor. 8:5 which says, “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,”(KJV). With this verse, Mormons, for example, bring their preconceived idea of the existence of many gods to this text and assert that it says there are many gods.  But that is not what it says. It says that there are many that are called gods. Being called a god doesn’t make it a god. Therefore, the text does not teach what the Mormons say and they are guilty of eisegesis; that is, reading into the text what it does not say.

Learn more

1. Reformation Theology: Exegesis v. Eisegesis
2. Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry: Biblical Interpretation
3. Bible Research: Bibliography of Biblical Interpretation.
   

Related term:

• exegesis

Filed under Scripture.

This theological term was suggested by Pam who blogs at a rustling of leaves …. Have you come across a theological term that you don’t understand and you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

 

Click on the graphic to find a list of all the past Theological Terms of the Week in alphabetical order.

Yukon Quest

 

Bill Pinkham, Veteran
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Photo: Carol Falcetta

One of the reasons I chose a dog theme for this month is that February is when the toughest dog sled race in the world, the Yukon Quest, takes place. This year, the Yukon Quest runs from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, a thousand miles along “historic Gold Rush and Mail Delivery dog sled routes from the turn of the 20th Century” at a time when

weather conditions can be the coldest and sometimes the most unpredictable of the year. The Yukon Quest race starts on schedule regardless of weather and lasts from 10 to 16 days until the final dog team arrives at the Finish Line, depending on weather and trail conditions.

The race began this past Saturday with twenty-four dog teams. Already two of the twenty-four teams are out of the race. One was withdrawn by officials “for failing to provide the dog care expected of a Yukon Quest participant”; and the other, Whitehorse’s own Frank Turner, a race veteran who has run 24 out of the 25 Yukon Quest races, dropped out because of the race’s physical demands on his aging body. Turner, who is 60, said,

it has been getting increasingly difficult each year to cope with the race’s physical demands. “It’s just not me anymore.”

He would not rule out running again next year, but said his wife “should divorce me if I run again.” 

For more information on The Yukon Quest, visit the Yukon Quest website.

Sunday's Hymn: God as Judge

Adore and Tremble, for Our God 

Adore and tremble, for our God
Is a consuming fire!
His jealous eyes His wrath inflame,
And raise His vengeance higher.

Almighty vengeance, how it burns!
How bright His fury glows!
Vast magazines of plagues and storms
Lie treasured for his foes.

Those heaps of wrath, by slow degrees,
Are forced into a flame;
But kindled, oh! how fierce they blaze!
And rend all nature’s frame.

At His approach the mountains flee,
And seek a watery grave:
The frighted sea makes haste away,
And shrinks up every wave.

Through the wide air the mighty rocks
Are swift as hailstones hurled;
Who dares engage His fiery rage
That shakes the solid world?

Yet, mighty God, Thy sovereign grace
Sits regent on the throne;
The refuge of Thy chosen race
When wrath comes rushing down.

Thy hand shall on rebellious kings
A fiery tempest pour,
While we beneath Thy sheltering wings
Thy just revenge adore.

—-Isaac Watts 

More on God as judge:

• God as Judge
  

 Other hymns, worship songs, etc. posted today:

• Who Shall the Lord’s Elect Condemn? at joythruChrist
  
• The First Sunday in Lent at Magic Statistics
• More About Jesus at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 6, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
  
• Thy Works, not Mine, O Christ at Hiraeth
  
• My Faith Has Found A Resting Place at Seasoning of the Heart
• The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended at Whatever Things…

Have you posted a hymn this Sunday and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.