Inductive Study of Scripture

The Inductive Study of Scripture (ISS) research group explores the history, philosophy, and application of the Inductive Method of Bible interpretation as developed initially by William Rainey Harper and his student W. W. White, and then developed, adapted, and taught at numerous institutions. Recently the method has been comprehensively described in David R. Bauer and Robert A. Traina, Inductive Bible Study (Baker, 2011). In 2025, this group will focus on using the inductive Bible study (IBS or ISS) method to interpret parables (or mashalim). The session will include both invited papers and an open call for papers. Proposals may address any of the following: 1) the history and development of the Inductive Study method as it has been applied to parables; 2) demonstrations of the ISS method as applied to parables; 3) pedagogical considerations in teaching the ISS method, especially concerning the interpretation of parables; or 4) the use of ISS in preaching parables. Please submit your proposals no later than Feb. 28, 2025, to Fredrick Long ([email protected]) and Suzanne Nicholson ([email protected]).