Inductive vs. Deductive Bible Study

Inductive Logic versus Deductive Logic

• Inductive logic starts with observation, moves to interpretation (exegesis), and finishes in application (hermeneutics). Drawing a general conclusion must follow making a set of observations.  Inductive inferences are considered always to be probable, not certain, as they are based on a certain set of observations.  If a different or larger set of observations are made, the inferences might change.  

• Deductive logic draws conclusions from observations of the Bible or natural world by using logical or mathematical reasoning. If 1 + 1 = 2, then 1 + 2 must = 3. Deductive logic can be a good tool to bring to Bible study, but we need to recognize its limitations and the danger of its "certainty" principle.

Inductive Bible Study

• An inductive Bible study approach starts with a Bible passage and attempts to understand what it is saying before drawing any conclusions. Inductive Bible study starts with making observations from the Bible text, moves to interpretation/understanding (exegesis), and finishes in application (hermeneutics). Inductive Bible study is okay with some confusion in this process and emphasizes discovery.  

• The emphasis in inductive Bible study is always on observing FIRST. After much observation comes understanding and interpretation, followed by personal and/or group application.

• Inductive Bible study is aware that its conclusions might change based on a larger or different set of observations.

• Inductive approaches are by nature discovery approaches and open ended. 

• Inductive preaching makes God's Word the core of the sermon, then moves to observations from the particular passage, and finally to applications.

• This discovery based open approach of inductive Bible study is essential for people to gain deep personal ownership of the end understanding and in any personal applications. Personal ownership is essential for deep, transformational change and growth.  

• Personal ownership through discovery is key for the seed of God's Word to enter into the heart and encounter the right conditions to grow to fruit bearing.

Deductive Bible Study 

• We observe that mammals seem to have four legs and walk on the ground.  Therefore, we make the deduction that mammals always have four legs and walk on the ground. But we should adjust our deduction when we discover there are certain kinds of mammals that fly and others that live in the sea. 

• A deductive Bible study approach starts with a particular principle, teaching premise, assumption, or deduction and backs it up with supporting Bible passages. Deductive Bible study emphasizes proof of the deduction and starts from the deduction and then shows all its supporting Biblical proofs.

• Deductive Bible studies are usually topical. One starts with a certain doctrine, concept, or deduction, then collects the Bible passages seeming to prove this doctrine, concept, or deduction. In the end there is a compelling list of proof texts. Bible study guides are often created using this approach.  Deductive studies can feel safer for institutions and establishments because of the ability to exercise control over the end result, which will be the same as the starting deduction as long as the proof texts actually support the starting deduction. 

  • Danger Example: Are the understandings of doctrines of Substitutionary Atonement and Soteriology (Salvation) also informed and shaped by the Parable of the Father & the Two Lost Sons or is this kept off our list of proof texts? 

• A deductive Bible study may start entirely from someone's starting deduction/assumption, with the Bible proof texts lined up to prove the deduction, with no attempt to make real observations to see if the deduction is true.

• A deductive Bible study may be the end result of what was an inductive Bible study at the beginning. Once a conclusion (induction) is reached from inductive study observations, then one reverses the process and conducts a deductive Bible study from the induction/conclusion and with no further opening up to re-consider that particular conclusion. When the initial induction is applied to a different set of observations or if it applied as an absolute, it becomes a deduction instead of induction.

• Most preaching in our day is delivered to an audience using the deductive approach to Scripture study and preaching. That is, the preacher starts with his point, observation, deduction, discovery, or insight, and then may or may not refer to the Scripture that he sees as its proof.  The preacher relays the specific discoveries, insights, and deductions from God's Word that he may have initially discovered using what was likely a more inductive approach as he prepared his message. 

• Often the preacher is the one that is the most impacted by God's Word.  Because the audience cannot follow the initial inductive trail of discovery, they do not take ownership of the truth in the same way as the preacher, and hence tend to be less impacted.    

• Some preaching is controlled entirely from start to finish by the deductive reasoning that the preacher holds.  If he believes "X" based on a particular assumption, belief, or experience in his life, he will be able to prepare a message to prove this from certain Bible passages, without being open to the possibility that his deductive position may be incorrect.  With this approach, Bible passages may be taken greatly out of context and interpreted to mean something that their original audience never would have understood from the passage.      

• Deductive Bible study is not essentially wrong and may be a helpful and useful teaching tool.  Statements of faith are usually a list of deductions arrived at from initially inductive study and may be a useful tool. We should simply understand the limitations of deductive study that it is usually practiced as a closed system based on certain certainties, deductions, or assumptions. It is also helpful if we ourselves know when our teaching or study style is inductive or inductive. 

• Deductive Bible study is a useful tool if we recognize its limitations.  It is potentially hurtful in that it can sabotage discovery and personal ownership.