Lesson 4 - Methodologies and Sermons

Question 1

Define thematic analysis, historical analysis, and literary analysis.

Answer 1

1. ) Thematic Analysis (mirror) - in front of the text
   - - How does this text relate to me? Pastoral interests
   - - Traditional Systematic Theology (ST)
   - - meaning to modern audience
2. ) Historical Anaylsys (window) - behind the text
   - - factual hirstorical reconstruction; Redemptive-Historical, – what really happened?
3. ) Literary Analysis (picture) - text itself
   - - What does this text actually say?
   - - meaning to original audience
   - - concentrates on the features (structuralism, literary studies, etc.) and meaning of the text itself.

Question 2

1Why are thematic, historical, and literary analyses all legitimate approaches to Old Testament narratives?

Answer 2

We need to look at all those questions to better understand the passage. These are multiple perspective that all help to understand the intention and meaning of the passage.

Question 3

Based on Pratt’s views/terms, which of the following two items match to “behind the text”? Picture, Window, Mirror, Thematic, Literary, Historical.

Answer 3

Window & Historical

Question 4

Which of Cara’s six hermeneutical methodologies is the following? The Judges 17 story of Micah’s idolatry shows that, without a king in Israel, “everyone did right in their own eyes” (Judg 21:25)

Answer 4

Literary - how this passage in Judges relates to the whole book