Inductive Bible Study: What it Is and Is Not
Studying the bible is a great habit to build, but there are a lot of terms and jargon that gets thrown around that can make understanding what inductive Bible study is and is not. So, let’s clear some things up.
Inductive Bible study is a method of studying Scripture that allows the text to speak for itself without any preconceived notions. As such, it differs from a deductive approach that seeks evidence from the Bible to support specific beliefs. Inductive Bible study will often involve exegesis.
That’s a lot of jargon already, but let’s break it down and get to the heart of what Inductive Bible Study really is.
What is Inductive Bible Study?
Inductive Bible study is a method of reading and studying the Bible by closely examining the text itself. Typically, it involves making observations, asking questions, and drawing conclusions directly from the passage, rather than relying on other sources for interpretation.
Inductive Bible study asks three main questions about a passage of Scripture:
- What does this passage say?
- What does this passage mean?
- What does this passage mean to me?
Answering the first question involves making observations of the text. What’s going on in the story? What are they saying that seems important? By taking the time to make observations, we become more familiar with the story and what’s happening.
To answer the question, “What does this passage mean?” we must interpret all our observations. We take all of the things we’ve learned, what’s going on in the story, keywords, etc., and discover a big picture principle that can apply to any situation.
Lastly, we take that big picture principle and see how it applies to specific situations in your own life. How does it shape or change the way you think, act, or respond to certain things?
If you are interested in a deeper exploration of the Inductive Bible study method, then be sure to check out this article. It will walk you through each step of the Inductive Bible study method with an example to help you learn how to study the Bible on your own.
Who Created the Inductive Bible Study Method?
Our modern understanding and practice of Inductive Bible study can largely be traced back to William Arthur, an English Minister and author from the 1800’s. His popular book, “The Tongue of Fire” describes his Bible study method.
Though, William Arthur is credited with popularizing and formalizing an Inductive Bible study method, its roots can be traced back to ancient times. Aristotle and other key figures throughout history have played an important role in the development of Inductive Bible study.
| Period | Key Figures | Developments and Contributions to Inductive Bible Study |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Roots (circa 350 BCE) | Aristotle | Laid the foundation for inductive reasoning, which is fundamental to inductive Bible study. |
| Medieval and Renaissance | Augustine, Roger Bacon | Augustine’s theological writings influenced biblical interpretation. Roger Bacon advocated empirical observation and experimental science. |
| Renaissance and Enlightenment | Galileo, Descartes, Newton | Galileo’s work contributed to empiricism. Descartes and Newton promoted reason and evidence-based approaches. |
| Protestant Reformation (16th century) | John Calvin | Calvin emphasized individual access to the Bible and encouraged personal study. |
| 19th Century | William Arthur | Popularized and formalized the inductive Bible study method through “The Tongue of Fire” (1856). |
| 20th Century | Precept Ministries International (Founded by Kay and Jack Arthur) | Established Precept Ministries, which played a significant role in teaching and promoting inductive Bible study worldwide. |
Aristotle laid the foundation for inductive reasoning back before the New Testament was even written. His philosophy included the concept of induction, where general principles are derived from specific observations. This exactly how Inductive Bible study works.
The period of the Middle Ages saw a rise in interpreting the Bible allegorically and with theological approaches. However, people like Augustine (354-430 AD) integrated the principles of philosophy into his theological works.
Roger Bacon (1214-1292) advocated for empirical observation and experimental science, which laid the groundwork for the renaissance of inductive reasoning during the Renaissance period. The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in the historical and linguistic analysis of the Bible.
Some of the greatest minds of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment were strong Christian men who believed the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. Galileo applied an inductive approach, not only in his scientific discoveries, but also in his Bible reading. So, too, did Isaac Newton.
Both men’s inductive reasoning approach to science, and their devotion to the Bible, had broad influence to other intellectual trends like reading and studying the Bible.
During the Reformation, John Calvin emphasized individual access to the Bible at a time when it was not common. He encouraged personal reading and study of the Bible, which aligns with the spirit of Inductive Bible study.
While these people indirectly influenced approaches to Biblical interpretation, it was William Arthur, who formalized an “Inductive Bible Study” approach in the 1850’s.
The 1970’s saw the rise of Precept Ministries, founded by Jack and Kay Arthur. This ministry plays a significant role in teaching the Inductive Bible study method around the world.
Deductive Bible Study: The Opposite of Inductive Bible Study
The opposite of an inductive Bible study method is a deductive Bible study method. A deductive Bible study approach starts with a premise or idea and seeks to find Scripture to support it. An example of a deductive Bible study would be a theologian examining Scripture to support a specific doctrine.
The dictionary defines the term “inductive” as an adjective that means,
“…characterized by the inference of general laws from particular instances”
It defines the term “deductive as an adjective that means,
“…characterized by or based on the inference of particular instances from a general law.”
So, if the inductive Bible study method seeks to find a big picture principle by making specific observations from a particular passage, then a deductive Bible study will seek to find particular passages that align with a big picture principle. Take a look at this chart below that compares the two.
| Aspect | Inductive Bible Study | Deductive Bible Study |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Observation and analysis of Scripture | Starting with a premise or belief |
| Purpose | Discover meaning in the text | Support or refute a premise |
| Starting Point | Scripture itself | A preconceived premise or belief |
| Key Steps | 1. Observe 2. Interpret 3. Apply | 1. Start with a premise 2. Examine Scripture to support or refute the premise |
| Focus | Text-centered; let Scripture speak for itself | Premise-centered; seek evidence in Scripture to support the premise |
| Flexibility | Open to various interpretations based on text | May lead to confirmation bias |
| Example | Precept Ministries’ “Inductive Bible Study” Method; SOAP Bible Study Method | A theologian examining Scripture to support a theological doctrine |
This chart shows that typically an inductive Bible study approach is superior to a deductive approach, simply because it allows the text to speak for itself. That said, there are time when a deductive approach is helpful.
For example, say you want to study a specific theological doctrine. Following a deductive approach, you’ll look up verses that others say support or deny that specific doctrine and study them. Similarly, a topical study follows a deductive approach, as you seek verses that mention a specific topic or idea.
Inductive Bible Study vs. Exegesis
As a general rule, inductive Bible study seeks to determine meaning from a passage. Exegesis on the other hand, simply seeks to understand Scripture. So, they are similar concepts, but with slightly different emphasis.
Earlier we defined Inductive Bible study as,
“…a method of reading and studying the Bible by closely examining the text itself.”
We also noted that this will typically involve making specific observations, asking questions, and drawing conclusions directly from the passage without relying on other sources.
That said, other sources can and should play a part in an inductive study of the Bible. These help you discover the historical, cultural, and literary context of the passage being studied. Overall though, the goal is to let Scripture interpret itself, which can lead to a deeper more personal understanding of the BIble.
It is using these other sources to aid our study that is exegesis. So, we can define exegesis as,
“…a scholarly interpretation of the Bible that seeks to understand the original author’s intended meaning, historical context, and linguistic nuances.”
We can see how exegesis plays a role in inductive Bible study. Exegesis helps us answer that first question of, “what does the passage say?” Inductive Bible study takes what we learn from exegeting the text and goes further to apply it to our lives.
Studying the Bible is a valuable habit, but all the terminology around it can make it more confusing than it needs to be. The inductive Bible study method stands out in that it allows the text to speak for itself, and with it you can learn to study the Bible on your own.
Simply make observations of the passage to determine what it says (exegesis), interpret them to find the big picture principle, and see how it fits into your life. And ignore the fancy words, if you want.
The bottom line is simple, consistent Bible study is worth it and has amazing benefits. So, be sure and check out this article if you want to know some amazing benefits of consistent Bible study.
You don’t need to know all the fancy words to study the Bible well. What you do need is a heart open to encountering God when you experience the Bible.
