Hermenuticsintermediate
Compare the synthetic, analytical, and biographical methods, including the kind of question each is suited to answer.
Answer
The synthetic method studies a book or passage as a whole and asks about its main theme and development. The analytical method examines words, phrases, or sections closely and asks how details contribute to meaning. The biographical method gathers passages about a biblical person and asks about that person’s identity, character, actions, and role.
Explanation
### Why this is right
The methods differ chiefly in their object and scale. Synthetic study looks at the whole, analytical study examines parts, and biographical study gathers evidence about a person across the biblical text.
### The concept
These are tools for different research questions, not rival systems from which a student must choose once and for all. A study of a person may begin synthetically with a broad view of the relevant books, become analytical when a key passage needs close examination, and then return to a broader account of the person’s life.
### What a good answer covers
- Synthetic study identifies overall themes and structure.
- Analytical study examines wording and details.
- Biographical study follows a person’s recorded life and characteristics.
- Each method suits a different question and can be combined with others.
### Remember
Choose the method that matches the object of study.
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