What is the effect of informational and methodological pre-understanding on biblical exegesis? The study wants to determine the effect of human pre-understanding on biblical exegesis among students pursuing biblical studies at Northwestern Christian University College, Awasi Satellite Campus.
The Bible is the oldest historic book of faith which has been used worldwide. It is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the basis of most faiths in the world (Hebrew 12:2). Proper understanding and interpretation of the bible is therefore useful for spiritual nourishment of the society. Although there are several attempts to create universal exegetical meaning of the biblical texts by looking into historic and cultural contexts, the human perceptual effect has been diminishing in the picture as marked by limited research on the same. Since Northwestern Christian University College recently initiated its theological satellite campus in Awasi Town with new crop of students who might experience perceptual effect in biblical exegesis, this factor motivated the present study. The present study employed experimental approach to study the effect of human pre-understanding on biblical exegesis among the students at NCUC.
The study may be beneficial to various individuals and institutions in different ways. The church ministers will be informed on the effects of human pre-understanding on biblical exegesis. This may help to reduce the biblical exegetical issues related to scriptures misunderstanding. As the biblical exegetical challenges are being sorted out, the body of Christ will be well nourished, hence the kingdom of God will be extended (Mathew 28:19). The study will also set a basis in biblical exegetical research, on which the potential bible scholars and theologians may apply for further research.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCATION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Objectives
1.3.1 General Research Objective
1.3.2 Specific Research Objectives
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Justification and Limitation of the Study
1.6.1 Justification
1.6.2 Limitation
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
1.8 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
1.8.1 Theoretical Framework
1.8.2 Conceptual Framework
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Informational Pre-Understanding and Biblical Exegesis
2.3 Methodological Pre-Understanding and Biblical Exegesis
2.4 Summary of the Knowledge Gaps
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 The Study Area
3.4 The Target Population of the Study
3.5 Sampling and Sample Size
3.6 Research Data Collection
3.6.1 Research Data Collection Instruments
3.6.2 Research Data Collection Process
3.7 Research Data Analysis Procedure
3.8 Ethical Considerations
CHAPTER FOUR
FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Respondents’ Response Rate
4.3 Demographic Characteristics Distribution
4.4 Informational Human Pre-Understanding and Biblical Exegesis
4.4.1 Exegetical Pretest Scores for both Experimental and Control Groups
4.4.2 Experimental Treatment Offered to the Experimental Group
4.4.3 Exegetical Posttest Scores for both Experimental and Control Groups
4.4.4 Exegetical Pretest-Posttest Scores Comparisons for both Experimental and Control Groups
4.5 Methodological Human Pre-Understanding and Biblical Exegesis
4.5.1 The Gender Methodological Approach
4.5.2 The Study Levels (Educational) Methodological Approach
4.5.3 The Professional Background Methodological Approach
4.5.4 The Marital Status Methodological Approach
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of the Key Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
5.4 Suggestion for Further Research
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of human pre-understanding on biblical exegesis among theology students at Northwestern Christian University College, Awasi Satellite Campus, using an experimental quantitative research design.
- Evaluation of informational pre-understanding (prior knowledge, ideologies, and attitudes) on exegetical outcomes.
- Investigation of methodological pre-understanding (methods and procedures) and their influence on biblical interpretation.
- Comparative analysis of experimental and control groups using pretest-posttest measurements.
- Assessment of demographic variables such as gender, study level, professional background, and marital status in relation to exegetical performance.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background to the Study
By considering the key concepts of this study, Human pre-understanding is defined as set of assumptions and attitudes which a person brings to his apprehension and interpretation of reality or any aspect of it (Ferguson, 2018). Biblical exegesis on the other hand is the process of careful, analytical study of biblical passages undertaken in order to produce useful interpretations of those passages. Ideally, exegesis involves the analysis of the biblical text in the language of its original or earliest form (Willem, 2024). In this study, both human pre-understanding and biblical exegesis have been contextualized as “human prior knowledge or opinions which affect exegesis” and “away of drawing out the literal meaning of biblical text respectively” respectively.
Historically speaking, the study of human pre-understanding has its roots in 1950s, but the contemporary concepts on it can be traced back to 15th century (Daston, 2017). The traditional Jewish forms of exegesis appear throughout the rabbinic literature, which includes the Mishnah, the two Talmuds and the Midrash literature. The Midrash is a compilation of homiletic teachings on Tanakh (the Hebrew bible) (Sifra on Lev. Xiii. 49). This historical study of both human pre-understanding and biblical exegesis provided the historical orientation of the present study.
The study applied cultural transmission theory of prejudice to explain human pre-understanding. The cultural transmission theory states that human pre-understanding is part of a culture’s norms or rules and it is transmitted through culture. Essentially, cultural transmission theory assumes that prejudice or pre-understanding can be taught (Mamie & Natalie, 2023). On the other hand, the exegetical principles of textual analysis, cultural analysis and historical analysis (Mahr, 2023) were be used to conduct the biblical exegesis of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 which formed the basis of the present study. The principles of exegesis were applied to the following portion of the scripture: “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. And if the latter
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: This chapter provides the foundation of the research, introducing the background, problem statement, objectives, and theoretical framework regarding human pre-understanding and biblical exegesis.
CHAPTER TWO: The literature review examines conceptual and empirical studies on how informational and methodological pre-understandings influence hermeneutics and biblical exegesis.
CHAPTER THREE: This section details the experimental methodology, including the pretest-posttest design, sampling of students, and data collection instruments used at the Awasi campus.
CHAPTER FOUR: This chapter presents the findings through statistical analysis (T-tests/ANOVA), interpretations of the exegetical scores, and discussions on how pre-understandings affect test results.
CHAPTER FIVE: The final chapter summarizes key findings, provides the study conclusions, and offers recommendations plus suggestions for future theological research.
Keywords
Biblical exegesis, Human pre-understanding, Informational pre-understanding, Methodological pre-understanding, Experimental design, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Hermeneutics, Quantitative analysis, Theology students, Cultural transmission theory, Exegetical test, Statistical analysis, Demographic variables, Northwestern Christian University College, Biblical interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research explores how an individual's prior knowledge, opinions, and methodological approaches—collectively called "human pre-understanding"—influence their ability to perform biblical exegesis.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this study?
The study covers biblical studies, hermeneutics, cultural transmission theory, and quantitative pedagogical research within a theological education setting.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to determine the quantitative effect of informational and methodological pre-understanding on the exegetical performance of theology students.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a pure quantitative experimental approach, specifically a pretest-posttest control group design, with data analyzed using T-tests and ANOVA.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the conceptual definitions of pre-understanding, a review of existing literature, the experimental methodology, and a detailed statistical analysis of student performance scores.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Biblical Exegesis, Human Pre-Understanding, Experimental Design, Hermeneutics, and Quantitative Analysis.
How does the educational level of a student impact their exegetical performance?
The study found that while descriptive differences existed, the overall effect of educational level on exegetical performance was found to be statistically insignificant among the study participants.
How does marital status influence methodological pre-understanding in this study?
The study demonstrated a statistically significant difference in exegetical scores among different marital groups, suggesting that marital and divorce-related perspectives act as a form of methodological pre-understanding when interpreting texts about marriage.
Why was Deuteronomy 24:1-4 chosen for this experiment?
This text was selected because issues surrounding divorce translate across history and culture, making it an ideal subject to test how personal pre-understandings influence interpretation.
- Quote paper
- Abraham Omanyo (Author), 2024, Effect of Human Pre-understanding on Biblical Exegesis among Students Pursuing Biblical Studies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1515146
