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Pass It On - A Rule For Good Bible Interpretation
By Rev Michael Bresciani, Fri Dec 9th
With dozens of bible translations available today and a myriadof voices preaching and teaching from theses bibles how do weknow which is trustworthy? It is simpler than you think. During the dark ages the scriptures were chained to pedestals inthe major cathedrals of the world. The common people could notread the bible and even the clergy were limited to reading itonly where it stood. Those days have been eliminated by thecourageous efforts of clergy and reformers like Luther, Calvin,Tyndale and a host of others who in some cases gave their livesin the effort. We now enjoy the
fruit of their labors throughoutmost of the free world. Not only are all the versions of thebible available here in America but one publisher has begunoffering the bible bound and covered in your choice of designercolors! Yet for all of this profusion of bibles one of the flimsiestexcuses for not reading or trusting the bible is still beingused everywhere throughout the land. Who has not heard someonesay, "The bible is open to interpretation and that's why itcan't be trusted"? If honestly examined, this excuse will befound to be just another one of those "common wisdom of the day"utterances that has no more truth in it than water in thedesert. It is grown out of ignorance, watered by indifferenceand harvested in laziness. It is used glibly but has direconsequences; in fact it could cost a person their entire future. (Article continued below)
The first rule of interpretation says that no one has the rightto interpret the scripture in a merely personal or private way....Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is ofany private interpretation. I Peter 1:20 If the bible is notopen to private interpretation then it must only be open topublic interpretation. That is the key. The universal biblebelieving church the world over has an interpretation thatqualifies this fact, the minor doctrinal differences and thetrend toward liberalism notwithstanding. Whether Pentecostal,Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist or any other major historicaldenomination the bible is interpreted the same. Jesus death andresurrection is the key to salvation and his teachings are thekey to our best behavior. When people stray very far from thiskind of interpretation of the bible they are bordering onheresy, cultism or something worse. Another great rule of sound biblical interpretation is to letthe bible interpret itself. Let the whole bible reflect on anypart of it in particular. You will rarely ever go wrong byapplying this rule. This of course implies that you would haveto study the whole bible. That alone would just about eliminateany problem with bible interpretation you will ever encounter. An old preacher from Vermont once told me of a basic rule ofinterpretation he had learned while attending Bible College. Ihave never forgotten it and I've never failed to use it. Hesaid, "If the scripture makes plain sense, seek no other sense".Being complicated is not a prerequisite to being a bible studentso don't bury your self in hidden meanings and obscurities, justget on with what is known and apparent. Finally take a lesson from the smallest child. Ask them whatJesus meant when he said we should love each other, or that weshould forgive others. They know what these things mean evenwhen those who hide behind the idea that the bible is riddledwith too many interpretations don't. Some passages are simplebut that does not mean they aren't profound. Other passages aremore complex but can be clearly understood by the simplestapproach, much like that of a child. The child like approach toscriptural interpretation is the shortest route tounderstanding; in fact it is also the shortest route tosalvation itself. Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, Whosoevershall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shallnot enter therein. Mark 10:15 We must cease to view the bible as some deep manual of religiononly to be known by the initiated or specially trained. Someoneonce said that the bible and more so, the New Testament is aletter from God the Father to his children. Who would think aletter from your father was meant to create confusion. It wouldspeak of his love, his intentions, his ongoing plans and hisfinal return home. It would give instructions and details onwhat to do until he returns. No one would throw a letter fromtheir father in a corner and say I don't understand any of thatso I'll just do what I want to until he returns home and take itup with him then. The words of the bible never create confusion. In fact it is thedismissing of these words that creates confusion. If we hidebehind the worn out cliché about "it is all open tointerpretation" we will find ourselves with no where to hide inthe final day. Jesus said the very opposite about his words, Hesaid they would illuminate our lives and bring peace to us, notconfusion. In fact they would produce life itself withinus...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and theyare life. John 6:33 About the author:Rev Bresciani is the author of two books and of many articlesboth online and in print. Please visit his website atwww.americanprophet.org | 