Before interpreting
This is sample content. It illustrates an English article in this library. It does not represent the website owner's beliefs, credentials, or research.
When studying a theological text, a useful first step is to note its title, author when known, and the context provided by the source. Avoid filling gaps with assumptions.
Three columns for reading
Separate your notes into three simple groups:
- Observation: what the passage actually says.
- Interpretation: how you currently understand it.
- Questions: what requires further reading or clarification.
This distinction makes it easier to revisit a note without confusing a quotation with your own explanation.
Leave room for further study
Keep the source and page number alongside any quotation. When different traditions interpret a passage differently, record whose interpretation you are reading rather than treating it as a universal view.