What is narcigesis?

Response

Narcigesis is a term of relatively recent origin that has not yet made its way into dictionaries. When individuals use this term, they are describing a process of interpreting Scripture in an extremely personal, even self-centered manner.

Narcigesis is a blend of the words narcissism and eisegesis. Narcissism is defined as “excessive interest in or admiration of oneself,” while eisegesis refers to “interpreting a text by reading one’s own ideas into it.” (Eisegesis stands in contrast to exegesis, which involves a “critical explanation or interpretation of a text.”) Therefore, narcigesis can be understood as “explaining the Bible in a manner that demonstrates an excessive focus on oneself and prioritizes one’s own ideas.”

Eisegesis results in the interpreter making the text of Scripture say essentially whatever they desire, aligning well with narcissistic tendencies. When an individual mishandles a passage of Scripture by injecting their personal opinions into it, they are engaging in eisegesis. Taking it a step further, interpreting a passage as if it revolves entirely around oneself constitutes narcigesis. This also applies to those who perceive Scripture as primarily relevant to their own era and culture.

Certain individuals with egocentric inclinations may become practitioners of narcigesis. They perceive the Bible as predominantly addressing their own life experiences. In their view, every promise and story is about them or their circumstances. When using narcigesis to interpret the narrative of David and Goliath, for instance, they identify themselves as David due to their self-esteem needs. (However, in the account of David and Bathsheba, they may no longer see themselves as David but as Nathan or Uriah instead.) During the battle of Jericho, they see themselves as Joshua (never as Achan). When reading about the Sea of Galilee, they envision themselves as Peter walking on water, and so forth.

In narcigesis, one’s own ideas, opinions, feelings, attitudes, experiences, and impressions shape the interpretation of the text. If an individual has visions, dreams, or any other form of spiritual experience, they may also try to fit these into their narcigetical framework.

For this type of personal revelation, all the better—those things can be given equal weight in the interpretation process as well. Personal doctrines and customized theories can be authenticated quite easily by using exegesis.

In a dispute with the Jewish leaders of His day, the Lord Jesus pointed out their inexcusable lack of faith in Him: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” «For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. », (John 5:46, emphasis added). Note of whom Moses wrote: it was not me, it was not you, and it was not the pastor on TV. Moses wrote about Jesus Christ (cf: Luke 24:27,44-45). Understanding this truth, exegesis reveals itself as a way to replace Jesus with oneself.

Proper exegesis does not allow for the insertion of oneself into the text. It seeks the plain meaning of the passage and explains what the text is truly about. When we let Scripture speak for itself, without any narcissistic distortions, we see that the Bible’s central character is Christ. He is the hero of the story.