Inductive and Deductive Reasoning in Chiasms

An analysis of John 6:37-46 (NIV)

Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

A definition of a chiasm (chiasmus) is:

A reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases, as in
He went to the country, to the town went she. (dictionary.com)
The modern usage of a chiasm is to draw attention to a specific point by using parallelism
without just pure repetition. From my research chiasms are not used very often in modern
literature. However, it was used heavily in ancient writings. Where did this literary form develop?
According to Dictionary.com the chiasm literary structure was developed in the ancient Greek
culture.
If this is true then why are chiasmic literary forms all over the Hebrew Scriptures of the Bible?
The Hebrew Scriptures were written before the introduction of the Greek culture into the Middle
East. If the chiasm literary form was developed originally by the ancient Greeks then the
question arises: how did the ancient Hebrew writers learn about it? A possible answer is the
Philistines introduced this writing style to the Hebrews. So the chiasmic form had to exist before
the Philistines left the Greek area of influence to make their way to the costal plain of modern
day Israel.
A possibility I offer is the Greek writers picked up this literary form from the peoples of the
Middle East. The conclusion here is the ancient peoples of Canaan and surrounding areas
developed chiasms and this style spread to Greece. Since the Hebrew Scriptures were written
before the Greek influence reached the Middle East I believe this is a better hypothesis.
Thinking about chiasms in modern terms drew me to this observation. First, people have two
ways of reasoning. Deductive reasoning people can visualize a conclusion based on very few
observations, if any, then the conclusion is tested thereby finding support or in some cases the
original conclusion is incorrect (a scientific methodology). An inductive reasoning person will
make as many observations as possible before any conclusion is offered. In this manner the
individual feels assured their conclusion is always correct (but at times the conclusion can be
incorrect just like the deductive thinker).
While examining chiasms in the Bible I noted the chiasms look like a combination of inductive
and deductive reasoning. The key to a chiasm in the Bible is to determine the center point God
conveying. Then from there you branch out looking at the parallel lines. Here is a basic structure
of a chiasm:

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A
B
C
B
A
In this diagram C is the center point. Chiasms can go much deeper than three levels and can be
only two levels
A
B
A
Think of the structure of a chiasm this way:
Observation/fact/belief
Observation/fact/belief
Gods revelation
Observation/fact/belief
Observation/fact/belief
For the inductive thinker the chiasm offers the data available then offers the conclusion. For the
deductive thinker the chiasm offers the conclusion then the data. It is a combination of inductive
and deductive reasoning. Take a look at a chiasm. I structured the chiasm so you can see the
levels and the repetition (John 6:37-46 NIV):
A

37

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will
never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the
will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none
of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
B

40

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes
in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."41 At
this the Jews there began to grumble about him
C because he said, "I am the bread that came down from
heaven."

42

They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we
know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?" 43 "Stop
grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44 "No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the
last day.

A 45 It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard
the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except
the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.

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We have an inductive reason for Jesus being the bread that came down from heaven.
A

37

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will
never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the
will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none
of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
B

40

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes
in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."41 At
this the Jews there began to grumble about him
C because he said, "I am the bread that came down from
heaven."

Now we have a beautiful artistic inductive process. All who come to Jesus will belong to him
forever. All who come to Jesus will be granted eternal life which will be granted at the last day.
Therefore, Jesus is the bread that came down heaven. The bread from heaven is a metaphor
used throughout the Bible symbolizing all we need to live is given to us by God.
Now for the deductive reasoning. Lets start with:
C because he said, "I am the bread that came down from
heaven."
B

42

They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we
know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?" 43 "Stop
grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44 "No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the
last day.

A 45 It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard
the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except
the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.

In conclusion, the idea of inductive/deductive reasoning in the chiasm has been demonstrated.
The emphasis the author of Johns Gospel was to insure we know Jesus is the bread of heaven.
Inductive then deductive reasoning is the structure of the chiasm.

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