This New Testament guide introduces students to pertinent sources and essential steps for New Testament exegesis. This site is not an exhaustive list of resources; it is a guide to help you find important sources within the myriads of literature.
This site is organized by tabs in a manner intended to reflect a practical workflow. In order to do exegesis, one needs an awareness of the grammar and historical background, literary features and structure of a particular book, and the integration of theological interpretation.
Guides to Exegetical Method—Under this tab you will find various resources that will help simplify and order the process of exegesis.
New Testament Introductions—Under this tab you will find various resources that will help you gain "background" to the various New Testament books. Other background resources will include New Testament History and New Testament Customs (forthcoming).
Language and Syntax—Under this tab are three subsections that list sources for the following: Textual Criticism, Lexicons and Word Studies, and Greek Language and Syntax.
Interpretation--Under this tab you will find surveys for Commentary research and various interpretive aids like New Testament Use of the Old Testament, Hermeneutical Aids, and Expositional Resources (forthcoming).
New Testament Theology--Under this tab you will find resources that will help your theological synthesis after the exegetical process.
I've attempted to simplify the process of exegesis.
The exegetical process is both a science and an art. Within the "principles" of exegesis, there is fluidity and flexibility. Though the instructions may "feel" rigid, do keep in mind the steps interweave within one another. The seperation of individual parts is to inform students of introductory steps of exegesis.
There may be unique steps pertinent for each professor, so make any necessary changes to your exegetical papers.
Throughout the exegetical process, be mindful of genre. Though an exegetical method is provided, each genre will take pieces of this method while adding, modifying, or bypassing other steps. I encourage students to read Dr. Jonathan Pennington's book, Reading the Gospels Wisely, to see the fluidity of exegesis and interpretation.
