Methodical Study of Scripture Exam

Sample Questions and Answers

• What is the primary goal of biblical hermeneutics?
  A) To prove religious doctrines
  B) To interpret and apply Scripture correctly
  C) To critique different Bible translations
  D) To analyze historical contexts of Scripture
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is an essential aspect of the observation phase in Bible study?
  A) Understanding the cultural context
  B) Identifying the genre and structure of the text
  C) Applying personal beliefs to the text
  D) Drawing personal conclusions without evidence
  Answer: B
• Which of the following methods is crucial when interpreting parables in the Bible?
  A) Viewing them as literal historical events
  B) Identifying the central message or moral lesson
  C) Ignoring the context of the time period
  D) Disregarding the allegorical meanings
  Answer: B
• The historical-cultural context of Scripture is important because:
  A) It changes the meaning of the text
  B) It helps us understand how the original audience understood the message
  C) It offers additional personal applications
  D) It eliminates the need for theological study
  Answer: B
• What is the first step in the methodical approach to studying Scripture?
  A) Interpretation
  B) Observation
  C) Application
  D) Prayer
  Answer: B
• Which of the following best describes the genre of the Psalms?
  A) Narrative
  B) Wisdom literature
  C) Poetry and songs of worship
  D) Prophecy
  Answer: C
• Why is understanding the literary structure of a passage important?
  A) It allows us to judge the quality of the writing
  B) It helps clarify the flow of thought and intention of the author
  C) It makes reading easier
  D) It enables us to compare Scripture with other books
  Answer: B
• The principle of “Scripture interpreting Scripture” suggests that:
  A) Every passage has its own independent meaning
  B) We should rely solely on the Old Testament for understanding
  C) Hard passages should be interpreted in light of clearer passages
  D) New Testament passages should be avoided in interpretation
  Answer: C
• When studying a passage of Scripture, one should consider which of the following elements?
  A) The chapter and verse divisions
  B) The text’s historical and literary context
  C) How it makes us feel personally
  D) The opinions of famous theologians only
  Answer: B
• What role does application play in Bible study?
  A) It is unnecessary if the interpretation is clear
  B) It allows us to align our lives with biblical teachings
  C) It is only for preachers, not for individuals
  D) It requires changing the meaning of the text to fit modern views
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is the most important consideration when interpreting a passage of prophecy?
  A) The historical context in which the prophecy was given
  B) The number of verses in the passage
  C) How the prophecy aligns with modern trends
  D) Personal experiences that match the prophecy
  Answer: A
• What does the term “hermeneutics” primarily refer to?
  A) The study of biblical translations
  B) The study of the historical background of Scripture
  C) The principles and methods of biblical interpretation
  D) The application of Scripture to modern life
  Answer: C
• Which of the following is true about the application of Scripture in daily life?
  A) It should be based on personal emotions and experiences
  B) It should be considered in light of the cultural context of the Bible
  C) It is irrelevant to contemporary Christian life
  D) It should always be generalized without consideration of context
  Answer: B
• Which Bible genre often includes symbols and metaphors to convey deeper truths?
  A) Epistles
  B) Prophetic books
  C) Gospels
  D) Historical narrative
  Answer: B
• What is the significance of understanding the original languages (Hebrew, Greek) in biblical interpretation?
  A) It provides a way to challenge existing interpretations
  B) It enables a deeper understanding of the text’s nuances and meanings
  C) It is only important for academic purposes
  D) It allows for an easier translation into modern languages
  Answer: B
• The principle of “exegesis” refers to:
  A) Reading into the text personal interpretations
  B) Drawing out the meaning intended by the original author
  C) Writing new interpretations of Scripture
  D) Comparing different translations of the Bible
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is NOT an example of a literary device used in Scripture?
  A) Parables
  B) Similes
  C) Rhetorical questions
  D) Unreliable historical details
  Answer: D
• The “grammatical-historical” method of interpretation emphasizes:
  A) The grammatical structure and historical context of the text
  B) Modern applications over historical context
  C) The feelings and personal reactions of the reader
  D) The historical and cultural irrelevance of the text
  Answer: A
• What does the term “canon” refer to in the context of biblical study?
  A) The list of all ancient biblical manuscripts
  B) The official collection of books recognized as divinely inspired
  C) The study of Bible translations
  D) The interpretation of difficult passages
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is the best approach to interpreting difficult or confusing Bible passages?
  A) Ignoring them and moving to easier passages
  B) Studying them in light of the overall message of the Bible
  C) Focusing on personal opinions rather than scholarly research
  D) Applying modern issues to the text without regard to context
  Answer: B
• What is a key feature of wisdom literature, such as Proverbs?
  A) The focus on historical events
  B) The use of universal principles for living
  C) The prediction of future events
  D) The recounting of personal stories
  Answer: B
• In the Bible, the genre of the Epistles is best understood as:
  A) Philosophical essays
  B) Personal letters with theological teachings and exhortations
  C) Historical narratives
  D) Poetry and songs
  Answer: B
• Why is context crucial when interpreting Scripture?
  A) It clarifies the literal meaning and prevents misinterpretation
  B) It allows us to apply any meaning we desire to the text
  C) It is irrelevant if we understand the main point
  D) It hinders personal application of Scripture
  Answer: A
• What does “inspiration” mean in the context of Scripture?
  A) Human writers created the Bible without divine guidance
  B) The Holy Spirit guided human authors to write what God intended
  C) Scripture was inspired by human creativity
  D) The Bible is only relevant to spiritual leaders
  Answer: B
• Which of the following methods involves the careful observation of biblical terms, their meaning, and usage?
  A) Historical analysis
  B) Lexical study
  C) Literary criticism
  D) Application-based reading
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is a key principle in understanding the New Testament?
  A) It is irrelevant to the Old Testament context
  B) It should always be interpreted literally
  C) It builds upon and fulfills Old Testament teachings
  D) It contradicts Old Testament prophecies
  Answer: C
• When interpreting a Bible passage, which of the following is a valid question to ask?
  A) How does this passage make me feel personally?
  B) What did this passage mean to the original audience?
  C) How can I make this passage say what I want it to?
  D) Why is this passage irrelevant to modern life?
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is an example of a type of biblical literature?
  A) Epistles
  B) Biology
  C) Geography
  D) Philosophy
  Answer: A
• Which of the following is essential to ensuring that a biblical interpretation is faithful?
  A) Substituting personal beliefs for the text’s meaning
  B) Contextualizing the text without considering historical and cultural elements
  C) Adhering to the original meaning intended by the author
  D) Ignoring grammatical rules of the language
  Answer: C
• What is the most important aspect of applying Scripture to one’s life?
  A) Interpreting it in light of modern societal norms
  B) Incorporating biblical teachings into daily living and decision-making
  C) Ignoring its principles when they conflict with personal desires
  D) Viewing it only as a historical document
  Answer: B

• What is a key characteristic of a “literal” interpretation of Scripture?
  A) Interpreting every passage as symbolic
  B) Taking the text at face value unless context suggests otherwise
  C) Applying modern cultural norms to the text
  D) Ignoring the historical context of the text
  Answer: B
• What does the principle of “historical background” help with when interpreting Scripture?
  A) It ensures a universal application of the text
  B) It provides insight into the customs, beliefs, and practices during the time the text was written
  C) It eliminates the need for spiritual application
  D) It focuses only on the future implications of the text
  Answer: B
• Which of the following is an example of a narrative genre in the Bible?
  A) The Book of Psalms
  B) The Gospel of Matthew
  C) The Book of Proverbs
  D) The Epistles of Paul
  Answer: B
• In the process of Bible study, what is the role of “expository preaching”?
  A) To focus on personal reflections and experiences
  B) To explain the meaning of Scripture through careful exposition and application
  C) To offer new, untraditional interpretations of the Bible
  D) To focus solely on social or political issues
  Answer: B
• What is a key aspect of the “contextual” approach to Scripture?
  A) Ignoring the original setting of the text
  B) Emphasizing the importance of both the immediate and broader context of a passage
  C) Applying the meaning of the passage to only one situation
  D) Focusing on individual preferences over historical background
  Answer: B
• What is the role of the “canon” in biblical interpretation?
  A) It limits the number of books that can be studied
  B) It is the authoritative list of books considered as inspired Scripture
  C) It focuses on interpreting non-canonical writings
  D) It defines only the Old Testament as sacred
  Answer: B