Rightly Interpreting the Bible Ron Rhodes
Methodology
The word "method" comes from the Greek word methodos, which literally means "a way or path of transit." Methodology in Bible study is therefore concerned with "the proper path to be taken in order to arrive at Scriptural truth." This clearly implies that improper paths can be taken. Of course, proper methodology is essential to many fields of endeavor. A heart surgeon does not perform open heart surgery without following proper, objective methodology.
Improper methodology in interpreting Scripture
is nothing new. Even in New Testament times, the apostle Peter
warned that there are teachings in the inspired writings of Paul "which
they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [distort], as they do
also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2
Peter 3:16). This verse tells us that mishandling the Word of
God can be very dangerous. Indeed, mishandling the Word of God is a
"path" to destruction.
A Foundational Truth: God Created Language for a Purpose
A plain reading of Genesis indicates that when
God created Adam in His own rational image, He gave Adam the gift of
intelligible speech, thus enabling him to communicate objectively
with his creator (and with other human beings) via sharable
linguistic symbols called words (Genesis 1:26). God
sovereignly chose to use human language as a medium of revelational
communication.
Seeking the Author's Intended Meaning
Instead of superimposing a meaning on the
biblical text, the objective interpreter seeks to discover the
author's intended meaning (the only true meaning). One must
recognize that what a passage means is fixed by the author and is
not subject to alteration by readers.
The Importance of Context
A woman entered the Democratic primary for
governor of the state of Texas. She was convinced that the Bible
had told her she would win the nomination. When she received the
official list of names from the primary she saw her name printed
last. Then she read in her Bible, "Many that are first will be
last, and the last first" (Matthew 19:30). On the basis
of that verse she thought God was telling her she would win. But
she lost. This amusing story illustrates the need for interpreting
Scripture in its proper context. Taken out of context, the
Scriptures can be twisted to say just about anything.
The Importance of Historical Considerations
Historical considerations are especially important in properly interpreting the Word of God. The Christian faith is based on historical fact. Indeed, Christianity rests on the foundation of the historical Jesus whose earthly life represents God's full and objective self-communication to humankind (John 1:18). Jesus was seen and heard by human beings as God's ultimate revelation (1 John 1:1-3). This is why He could forcefully claim, "If you had known me, you should have known my Father also" (John 14:7). The apostle Paul, when speaking with the
religious men of Athens, affirmed that the reality of the future
judgment of all humanity rests on the objective, historical evidence
for the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:16f).
Making a Correct Genre Judgment
A "literal" approach to Scripture recognizes
that the Bible contains a variety of literary genres, each of which
has certain peculiar characteristics that must be recognized in
order to interpret the text properly. Biblical genres include the
historical (e.g., Acts), the dramatic epic (e.g., Job),
poetry (e.g., Psalms), wise sayings (e.g., Proverbs),
and apocalyptic writings (e.g., Revelation). A parable should not be treated as history, nor should poetry or apocalyptic literature (both of which contain many symbols) be treated as straightforward narrative. The wise interpreter allows his knowledge of genres to control how he approaches each individual biblical text. In this way, he can accurately determine what the biblical author was intending to communicate to the reader.
Now, even though the Bible contains a variety of literary genres and many figures of speech, the biblical authors most often employed literal statements to convey their ideas. Where they use a literal means to express their ideas, the Bible expositor must employ a corresponding means to explain these ideas—namely, a literal approach. A literal method of interpreting Scripture gives to each word in the text the same basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage—whether employed in writing, speaking, or thinking. Without such a method, communication between God and man is impossible.
Interpret the Old Testament in Light of the New Testament
God gave revelation to humankind progressively throughout Old and New Testament times. He didn't just give His entire revelation for all time to our first parents, Adam and Eve, or to Moses, the Lawgiver. Rather, as time went on—as the centuries slowly passed—God provided more and more revelation that became progressively full so that by the time the New Testament was complete, God had told us everything He wanted us to know. In view of this, a key interpretive principle is that one should always interpret the Old Testament in view of the greater light of the New Testament. The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lighted. The introduction of light brings into it nothing which was not in it before; but it brings out into clearer view much of what is in it but was only dimly or even not at all perceived before. The Old Testament revelation of God is not corrected by the fuller revelation which follows it, but only perfected, extended, and enlarged. Again, then, the Old Testament should be interpreted according to the greater light of the New Testament. The Old Testament is much clearer when approached through the lens of the New Testament.
Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Scripture tells us that we are to rely on the
Holy Spirit's illumination to gain insights into the meaning and
application of Scripture (John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-11).
It is the Holy Spirit's work to throw light upon the Word of God so
that the believer can assent to the meaning intended and act on it.
The Example of Jesus Christ
Jesus consistently interpreted the Old
Testament quite literally, including the Creation account of Adam
and Eve (Matthew 13:35; 25:34; Mark 10:6), Noah's Ark and the
flood (Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-27), Jonah and the great
fish (Matthew 12:39-41), Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15),
and the account of Lot and his wife (Luke 17:28-29). In his
book The Savior and the Scriptures, theologian Robert P.
Lightner notes—following an exhaustive study—that Jesus'
interpretation of Scripture "was always in accord with the
grammatical and historical meaning. He understood and appreciated
the meaning intended by the writers according to the laws of grammar
and rhetoric."
Is the Bible Alone Sufficient?
That the average person can understand
Scripture without having to rely upon a church for the
"authoritative teaching" is evident in the fact that Jesus taught
openly and with clarity, and expected His followers to each
understand His meaning. Recall that following His arrest, Jesus was
questioned by the High Priest about His disciples and His teaching.
Jesus responded: “I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in
the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort;
and in secret have I said nothing. Why do you ask me? Ask them
which heard me what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I
said” (John 18:20-21). According to Jesus, those who
heard Him would be able to clearly enunciate what He had openly
communicated.
Correctly Handling the Word of Truth
Jesus said His words lead to eternal life (John 6:63). But for us to receive eternal life through His words, they must be taken as He intended them to be taken. A cultic reinterpretation of Scripture that yields another Jesus and another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9) will yield only eternal death (Revelation 20:11-15). The above article is an example of the quality materials produced by Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. Write us for a full listing of other available free resources: Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries |