Thanks to Doug Smith there is now an assembly of some really great articles on arcing and tracing. This is one of the most important tools in the exegete's toolbox.kerux noemata: Arc, Trace and Diagram! The Bones of Exegesis!When I was in seminary, our preferred method was labelled, "diagrammatical analysis." I still use that method, although it has been tweaked through the years by the arcing idea... and, of course, the emphasis on broader context and literary genre that men like Carson model so well.
When I was in seminary (1985-88), we were taught Propositional Relations by Vern Poythress (see his "Propositional Relations," in The New Testament Student and His Field. Vol. 5 of The New Testament Student. Ed. John H. Skilton and Curtiss A. Ladley. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1982. Pp. 159-212.). Twenty-five years later, it's popular under a different name, I believe.
I remember my Christ-loving fellow students agonizing over this method of dividing and understanding the Scriptures; I, devoted more to my intellect than to Jesus, delighted in this and the power it gave, and helped them with it. They advanced far beyond me in godliness and service, while it took some time for Jesus to turn my heart away from myself and toward him. I still enjoy and use what I learned then, of course.
Posted by ronlusk at March 25, 2008 10:35 AM