Methods of NT Analysis

When analyzing the New Testament various methods are employed in an attempt to gain a better overall understanding of the original text. It appears to this author that there are two broad categories by which the various methods of analysis can be grouped. First there is external analysis and secondly internal analysis. Scholars, but only when discussing “canonical criticism”, do use these two terms. This author’s usage of these terms should in no way be confused with “canonical criticism”; rather this is simply an attempt to organize the author’s thoughts for the purpose of answering the mid-term question. The Bible, being both an ancient text and a faith-based text, requires a number of methods to identify and understand the “original” text. The cursory examination of only one facet of this book could never do justice to its extremely interesting spiritual and historically significant nature.
According to The Anchor Bible Dictionary: “generally speaking the qu...