Definitions: Exegesis and Eisegesis

All of the numerous approaches involved in biblical interpretation actually reduce down to two; exegesis and eisegesis.  These are not actually hard concepts to understand when you look into the etymology of the words involved.  Etymology is just a fancy word for the study of word origins.  The origin of the word "etymology" is from Greek, meaning "true word."

The word "eisogesis," from the Greek "to lead into," means to carry a preconceived meaning into the biblical text and then looking for proofs.  I think that many systematic theologies make this error, forcing their conclusions into the text rather than letting the text speak for itself.   Examples are Marxist, feminist, capitalist, extreme Calvinist, extreme Arminian, historical, New Age, social justice, liberation, and many cultic theologies.  These suspect theologies tend to ignore any biblical texts which don't fall into line with the point they are trying to make.  Often Bible verses are quoted entirely out of context and sometimes only a portion of the verse is quoted.  In modern terms, think "cut and paste."

"Exegesis" (from Greek words meaning "to lead out;" reading theology out from the biblical text; letting the text speak for itself) while praying for illumination by the Holy Spirit is the preferred method.  Any doctrinal statement in this method of interpretation must be consistent with the totality of scripture and should take into account the original intention of the text rather than our modern concerns.