Lesson 10: Interpretive Tools
Follow the Logic (Arcing)
Several of our keys to interpreting biblical genres from lesson 5 involved following an author’s logic. Whether we are reading a psalm, narrative, prophesy, or epistle, it is vital that we hear the message the author intended to communicate and identify his main point. In other words, we must accurately trace the author’s logic. Arcing and Bracketing are tools designed to help you discover and display the logic of a text.
An introduction
In the video below, Pastor John Piper introduces Arcing and explains this tool’s purpose and value.
According to Pastor John, what is the value of Arcing?
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A demonstration
The video below demonstrates how to arc by working through Romans 1:15–17.
In the arc pictured below, the labels “G” indicate a proposition that supports another by providing a Ground or reason for it. Note that we could replace the word “for” at 16a, 16b, and 17 with “because.”
The Key to Arcing
What are the most important words in the Bible? Well, of course, they all are important: “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim 3:16), that is, every word. That includes the big words like “steadfast love,” “redemption,” “judgment,” “propitiation,” and “sanctification.” But it also includes the little words: “like,” “for,” “but,” “and,” “while,” “although,” “since,” “therefore,” “if,” “then,” and “because.”
Arcing focuses on the little words, because the little words—like tendons and ligaments—connect the bigger pieces. These words form the logic of the text. They are the words upon which sound doctrine is built. So don’t neglect the little words. Rather, ponder them carefully.
Further Study
Biblearc’s Arcing CourseThis course equips students to discover and display the author’s argument by arcing the text.
Biblearc’s Bracketing CourseLike Arcing, Bracketing involves tracing the logic of a text. However, Bracketing more clearly displays the text’s hierarchy and main point.
Learning Resources Video LibraryThese videos demonstrate how to arc and bracket specific texts from the Bible.
Book Study CoursesTake courses that use Arcing and Bracketing to go through books of the Bible. Click here to go to the Biblearc EQUIP homepage and scroll down to see course options.