Seekers after Truth:

Cross-Disciplinary Insights for the Intelligence

Profession from the Biblical and Theological
Studies Disciplines

Presentation by Howard Clarke

BCISS Conference on Intelligence Analysis
Brunel University
July 2012

Agenda
A. Introduction: background & context
B. Exploration of Exegetical & Hermeneutical Issues
C. Theological Studies as a Problem-based
Exploration of So-What? Issues
D. Discussion of Findings and Potential CrossDisciplinary Implications

A. Introduction: Context and Rationale

Nexus between Intelligence & Biblical Studies

 Central Intelligence Agency, John 8:32 and the Use of Scripture
 What is truth? whose truth? truth in what context?
 Biblical theology threat risk dimensions, and unknown futures

Is there methodological common ground?

 an intelligence practitioner perspective
 exploratory reflections

Definitions

Exegesis: refers to careful investigation of the original
meaning of texts in their historical and literary contexts.

Hermeneutics: refers to the theory, methodology of
interpretation, especially of scriptural texts; focus on the
applied meaning in the contemporary context

Theology: the study of the nature of God and religious
truth

Conceptual Framework: Disciplines Compared

Some Common Challenges

Biblical Interpretation & Intelligence Analysis
Challenges Compared
Complexity of
the issues

Data availability
challenges

Loaded
issues high
sensitivity &
impact

Critical thinking
& attitudinal
challenges

Challenges in correctly
discerning context: both
Subjects (SOIs) & users

Dangers of denial,
deception &
wilderness of
mirrors

B. Exploration of Exegetical and

Hermeneutical Issues
 Textual Criticism: best data, source provenance,
evaluative criteria, internal and external evidence,
alternative hypotheses
 Exegetical Method: exegetical mindset, appropriate
tools, skillful application
 Historical Method: assessing the historical viability of
the biblical data, criteria for assessing plausibility, balance
of probabilities

Interpretation: Big
Picture View
Adapted from
Richard J. Erickson

Exegesis
(Exegesis) is primarily a listening device, a systematized
process we can use for projecting ourselves backward
into the cultural settings out of which the biblical
documents arose. Once there, we can more accurately
hear the message as its authors first delivered it. And
once that or something close to it is clearer to us, we are
more likely to hear the message the Scripture has for us
in our own settings (emphasis added)
- Richard Erickson

 Applicability for the intelligence practitioner?

Practitioner Reflection
Sometimes we rush into interpretation before we have
carefully observed & sensitively listened to the data
we have not studied the data on their own terms, we
have overlaid our own presuppositions, biases, and
mindset.
We have not listened, we have not heard, we have not
learned

Summative Example Quest for the

Hermeneutical Jesus (Stewart)

Approach the [Jesus] texts with an open mind

Presuppositions must be clearly stated and open to critique
Seek to understand what a text says before assessing a text
theologically (i.e. careful, sensitive reading precedes
interpretation and advising)
Proper hermeneutic for historical Jesus research must be
multi-disciplinary
Recognition of worldviews (all parties)
Recognition of genre and form (in communication)
Recognition of intentionality (intended purpose, meanings)
Test the logic of explicit or implicit historical arguments

C. Theology: as Exploration of Interpretative

Implications and So-What? Issues

Applicable focus perceived or conceivable real problems,

perceived or conceivable real threats

..you cannot go from books to problems, but the reverse, from

problems to books - Nassim Taleb The Black Swan

Danger of locking out truth due to overriding

presuppositions
Unturned Stones potential productive avenues not
pursued in this presentation

Polanyi, Lonergan, Peirce, Popper, Lakatos, Teilhard de Chardin)

Interconnectivity of related disciplines science,

philosophy, religion
All truth is Gods truth

Opportunities for Contemporary Application

Multi-disciplinary implications appropriate use of

ethnographic, religious, cultural analysis in intelligence
Implications for enhanced understanding of religious
extremism and terrorist mindsets




Domestic religious extremist threats

Militaristic, extremist Islamic Jihad hate wrapped in religion
Other religious-based terrorism activities

Example: Radical Apocalyptic Logic and the Iranian Nuclear

Threat per Walton & Flannery (2012) i.e. danger of an overlooked
lose-lose scenario due to misreading adversarys apocalyptic mindset
& logic, and a theologically-driven end-game

Shared Best Practice Values - Biblical

Interpretation & Intelligence Analysis
Best available
data

Clarity of
purpose

Awareness of
inhibitors

Appropriate tools used

at the right time, in the
correct manner

Source
Evaluation &
Data
Validation
Use of
Structured
methods

Intellectual &
attitudinal openness

Importance of
contextual analysis
Appropriate focus
on client /
decision-maker
needs

Optimized analysis as
a community effort

Conclusion: Where To From Here?

Potential linkage - fertile field of research on the nexus

between Religion and Science
Potential linkage - studies of how knowledge & insight are
generated, willingness to move beyond the boundaries of
scientific, critical methodologies
Further research - making it practitioner-relevant
Presenter Details:
Howard Clarke
177-4438 West 10th Ave,
Vancouver B.C. V6R 4R8 Canada
howard@intelligence-solutions-group.com