Bible Book Arguments

A Bible book argument (also known as a "literary argument" or an "exposition") may be defined as an explanation of why and how a biblical author attempted to persuade his original audience to think or do something. It accounts for the words of the text and the literary and rhetorical devices used to persuade the audience.

Where was the concept of a book argument developed?

The concept was initially developed within the Bible Exposition department at Dallas Theological Seminary. The PhD Bible Exposition team has especially made advancements in the methodology of writing book arguments.

Why is a book argument important?

Biblical authors did not write their works of narrative, poetry, or epistles (etc.) merely to communicate theology. They were always written for an original audience based on a specific historical occasion. The authors always intended to persuade their audience to think or do something.

Without accounting for the argument of a book, readers of the Bible risk becoming "users of words." In this case, the reader decontextualizes the text from its original setting and deprives the text of its authorial meaning.

The book argument attempts to avoid such decontextualization by seeking the authorial intent according to the original context in which the author sought to persuade his original audience to think or do something.

Is a book argument just another commentary?

No! Few commentaries, if any, follow the Bible argument method. Bible Exposition is a highly specialized academic discipline within the field of biblical studies. Most commentaries are written by scholars from the academic disciplines of Systematic Theology, New Testament Studies, and Old Testament Studies. While of course broadly related, Bible Exposition is nevertheless a different discipline with a unique methodology. Bible arguments are a fairly unique product of the Bible Exposition PhD program at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Bible Teachings

Seeking God's truth via the authorial intent of the biblical text.