Week 3 Disscussion

This will require you to read the text very closely and ask a ton of questions. In fact, one scholar refers to exegesis as an investigation and exegetes as those who love asking questions. So that's what we will do here. First, I want you to re-read Genesis 22:1–19 (NIV only). As you read, I want you to compile a list of *interpretive questions* in a Word document. You don't need to answer the questions (not yet anyway). I only want to see your brains at work as you read through the passage. Here's an example: Genesis 22:1 begins, "After these things God tested Abraham..." A good question to ask is ... After what things? Your completed list for all 19 verses should be long. (I'd guess 30 or so, at minimum.) Some of the questions will be like the example provided above—questions based on the words of the text. Others might go behind the text to wonder about the historical context for writing or ask more generally about the genre/style of literature. No question is stupid or inappropriate. If you think it's worth asking, it probably is. Now, some questions are definitely better than others, and the better ones will probably end up being really important for unlocking some of the interpretive meaning and theological import of the passage. To practice this skill, pick your top 3-5 questions (the ones that you think answering will bring out the most important finds) and make them bold. I would also like you to include, at the end of your list, a couple sentences of your initial thoughts/impressions about the passage. (Again, I'm not looking for answers. I just want to hear how your thinking has shifted, if at all, about the passage.)