What is headline exegesis?

Answer

Exegesis is the practice of reading a text and determining its meaning using a literal, honest interpretation. Terms are defined as the context dictates, metaphors are acknowledged properly, and the author’s original intent is carefully considered. The opposing interpretive method is eisegesis, which relies more on the reader’s intent than the writer’s.

Headline exegesis is a pejorative term for the practice of attempting to identify where the world stands in end-times prophecy based on current news stories. A recent example is the reaction of some Bible commentators to the drying of the Euphrates River. Due to drought and agricultural irrigation, the significant river that flows through Turkey and Iraq has reduced to a stream in some areas. While Scripture does mention the Euphrates drying up as part of the end times «And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. », (Revelation 16:12). However, the current low levels of the Euphrates do not indicate that we are in the end times. The Euphrates will dry up at the very end of the tribulation, shortly before Jesus’ return. We are not presently in the tribulation. The recent drying of the river is a result of human activities and climate; in the end times, it will be an act of God.

One remedy for headline exegesis is to study history. Conflicts in the Middle East, inflation, troubling political elections, natural disasters, technological advancements, pandemics—these occurrences have taken place for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Soaring gas prices do not signify that Jesus is coming back soon; those who lived through the 1970s can attest to this. An election in the US likely has no connection to the end times, particularly since the US is not mentioned in end-times prophecy. Even

A global nuclear war wouldn’t necessarily be a sign of the end times.

Reading headlines is not a reliable way to determine where we are in the end times. Instead, headlines should guide us on how to fulfill the tasks Jesus has assigned to us. How can we love our neighbor «And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. », (Matthew 22:39)? How can we love our enemy (Matthew 5:43-48)? Where should we spread the gospel (Luke 10:5-6)? How can we support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)? Wars show us who needs safety «Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. », (Exodus 22:21). Inflation tells us to trust God for our needs (Matthew 6:25-33). Pandemics remind us not to fear death «And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. », (Matthew 10:28). Every headline tells us how to pray (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

Biblical exegesis, not headline analysis, instructs us on what to do in light of the end times: be ready for Jesus’ return by spreading the message about the kingdom of God. Share the gospel. Practice and advocate for justice. Love one another. “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet” «And when ye shall hear of warWars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled: for such things must happen; but the end is not yet. », (Mark 13:7).