Five research Methods Found in the Bible

Tracey Maynard

Caribbean Nazarene College South Campus

 Abstract

This paper shows us five research methods that are found in the Bible. While giving us the

definitions for each; we are able to gauge a deeper understanding from the biblical quotations

that are used. It brings together the styles and the biblical content so much so that the extent of it

can be easily adapted into one’s understanding of what techniques were used for research at that

time.
The intention of this paper is to locate five research tools that were used in the bible. It will state

why these techniques can be categorized as research methods by using quotes from the bible.

The King James Version will be quoted for the extraction of biblical literature that will prove the

research methods used and located. The five styles that will be used in this paper are interviews,

case study, descriptive, empirical and quantitative methods.

The first research method that we look at is the Interview; the interview is a conversation

between two or more people where questions are asked by the interviewer and answered by the

interviewee, (Wikipedia free encyclopaedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/interviews 2010). I have

chosen to use the situation of Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate and the interview that Pilate

conducted before Jesus’ crucifixion. Here is an excerpt:

“Then Pilate entered into the judgement hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou

the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it

thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered

thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my

kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the

Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate then said unto him, Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I

into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my

voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto

the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.”
Because of the technique used here by Pontius Pilate to gain detailed and credible information he

was able to state then that he found no fault in Jesus Christ.

As mentioned above the next method of research found in the bible that will be outlined in this

paper is the Case Study. A case study is a research methodology based on an in-depth

investigation of a single individual, group, or event; (Wikipedia the free encyclopaedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study 2010). We now turn to Psalm. In the book of Psalms;

David wrote about himself, his life, and his experiences. He studied himself and was able to

write these words based on the information gained after careful examination. Psalm 51, verse 3

states,

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me”

“Preserve my soul: for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.” Psalm

86 verse 2.

In this particular book David has used words and gave examples showing irrefutably that he

would have done a study on himself thereby giving him the ability to write in the context in

which he has. In the twenty sixth Psalm David talks about being steadfast in his love for God,

his walk, and asks of God to search him, try him, and preserve him.

We now move on to a Descriptive method of research, which is the statistical research, describes

data and characteristics about a population or phenomenon being studied (Wikipedia the free

encyclopaedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_research). And to prove its authenticity

we turn to the book of Revelation where John the Apostle also known as Saint John the Divine

remained on the island (Patmos) for eighteen months, found in Places of Power and Peace.

http://www.dacredsites.com/europe/greece/patmos.html.(assessed 2010).
John gives his readers detailed descriptions of the information gathered through his experience.

This and more was given of John; in the beginning of this book we were given great detail of the

events that were to be expected and the sights in which he was able to see.

“...And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with

a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps within a golden girdle. His head and his

hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet

like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”

Revelation Chapter 1, verse 12-16.

With this description we can all easily see the happenings in our imagination that John

experienced.

An example of Empirical research found in the bible would be extracted from the first book of

the Kings. The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation, experience,

or experiment (Wikipedia free encyclopaedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical2010).

Turning to chapter eighteen we are told of the hypotheses of Elijah and the scientific proof that

was supplied by God. The hypotheses being that the God in which he served was the true God

and the god in who the prophets of Baal served was not.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and, said How long hault ye between two opinions? If the

LORD be God follow him: but if Baal, then follow him...Let them therefore give us two

bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on

wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood and put no fire

under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD and the

God that answereth by fire, let him be God...Elijah the prophet came near... Hear me, O LORD,

hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their
heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the

wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” 1 Kings

chapter 18, verse 21-38.

Elijah had then proven his theory by using his original knowledge of God as well as the

knowledge gained form this occurrence.

The last method in this paper would be the Quantitative method. This method refers to a type of

information based on quantities or else quantifiable data. (Wikipedia free encyclopaedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative2010) And for the biblical reference the book of

Genesis, specifically chapter forty one was chosen. I want to show that Joseph the most beloved

son of Jacob had to use this method for his estimation in the storing of food for the then

impending farming that swept the land.

“And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all

the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the

same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it

was without number...And the seven years of dearth began to come, according Joseph had said:

and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread...And the famine was

over all the face of the earth; and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians;

and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for

to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.” Genesis chapter 41 verse 47-57.

Because of Joseph’s dream he was able to conduct a quantitative method in storing food for not

only the people of Egypt but all the countries as was stated in Chapter fifty seven.
 References

The Holy Bible, containing old and New Testament. Translated out of the original tongues and

with the former translations diligently compared and revised by his majesty’s special

command. Authorized King James Version (1989).

Wikipedia free encyclopaedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/interviews2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_research2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative 2010

Places of Power and Peace : http://www.dacredsites.com/europe/greece/patmos.html.

(assessed2010