THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE

The need for interpreting the Bible has been made necessary for several reasons. It was written against a different cultural backdrop than our own. It was written in language styles that are often cumbersome to Western minds. Add to these apparent obstacles, criticism from liberals that^* it is merely myths and fables, and we are squarely presented with a need for some kind of interpretation. But which kind? How are we to interpret the Bible? There are many theories that lead to peculiar conclusions.

THE FIRST LAW OF INTERPRETATION

1. What is the source of all our doctrine, including the doctrine of Bible Interpretation?

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The first law of Bible interpretation is: the Bible usually interprets itself. Where something in the Bible seems obscure, another passage usually sheds light on it.

2. How is this illustrated by the following two passages-

a) Read John 2:14 - 19. What would it appear that Jesus is saying in verse 19?

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b) But how does Scripture interpret this verse in John 2:21?

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The most hotly disputed book of the Bible, the Revelation, has been interpreted many ways. By following this first law of Bible Interpretation, we quickly rule out most of these interpretations. For example, even the Book of Revelation offers it own interpretation at various points throughout the Book.

3. The Book of Revelation describes "a Dragon with seven heads and ten horns" (12:3). This has variously been described as certain historic figures, or lately it has been interpreted as the European (Economic) Community. But if we follow the first Law of Bible Interpretation, who can we identify this "Dragon" as? (Rev. 12:9)

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If we wanted to look beyond the Book of Revelation for a possible interpretation, it won't take us long to discover that the Old Testament has already revealed the identity of the Serpent/Dragon (Gen. 3:1, 13). Therefore we can see that this Law is not limited to the Old or New Testaments, because both shed light on each other.

THE SECOND LAW OF INTERPRETATION

Theologians refer to the doctrine of Bible Interpretation as Hermeneutics. There is another word they use that is intricately associated with Hermeneutics: Exegesis. "Exegesis" is discovering what the Biblical passage meant to the original recipients, while "Hermeneutics" is how the passage is to be interpreted into a current understanding and application. Discovering the context is the quest of the one doing exegesis. The context of a verse or passage is the strongest indication of how it should be interpreted.

4. What promise from God's Word is found in Philippians 4:19?

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By reading the previous verses to this one, we note that God's abundant provision is not merely one that every Christian automatically qualifies for. The context shows that the Philippians had given generously to Paul's ministry and that he is reassuring them that what they have sown they will also reap because my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. The context reveals that rather than becoming poorer because of their giving, they wouldn't lack anything.

5. A similar exercise could be done with James 4:7. The last part of the verse tells us to resist the Devil. This has led Christians into various kinds of unsanctified behaviour (often called spiritual warfare). But what does the first half of the verse say that helps us to put the whole verse in context?

a) When the enemy attacks, attack back by shouting the name of Jesus at Him

b) Submit to God, and by doing this you will be resisting the Devil.

c) Plead the Blood of Jesus over your life so that the Devil must flee.

THE LAW OF CONSISTENCY

Many years ago scholars embraced a law of interpretation called The Law of First Reference. This theory of Bible interpretation stated that a symbol, picture, or concept was to be regarded throughout Scripture however it was used first. Recently there has been some criticism of this. This has largely arisen because of the first two laws of interpretation (1. The Bible often interprets itself, and 2. The context often provides the interpretation) having precedence over all others. So where the context of a passage applies a different usage to a term than how the Bible first mentioned this term, the context gives the true interpretation. The law of consistency accommodates the first two laws without falling into the danger of implying the law of first reference. An example of this would be the use of "leaven" in Scripture. In most places it refers to spreading, or increasing, corruption (Ex. 12:8; 23:18; Lev. 2:5; Matt. 16:11; 1Cor. 5:6-8). As a Biblical term it warns God's people of the subtleties of small compromises away from God's law. But leaven is used differently on one other occasion in Scripture, which thus disqualifies the "law of first reference". In Leviticus 23:17 it is mentioned as a favourable offering. In this reference it typifies Christ making two people one (note Ephesians 2:14), with leaven referring to Gentiles.

Being consistent in our interpretation of Scripture causes us to allow for obvious writing style changes. The question- "Do you take the Bible literally?" is a loaded question. Paul Little says it's a bit like asking "Do you still beat your wife?". It's a question that can not be logically answered.

6. Why would it be dangerous to take the whole Bible literally based on passages like Isaiah 55:12?

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7. Why would it be equally dangerous to take the whole Bible as only poetry based on 1Corinthians 15:17?

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By applying the first two laws of interpretation we can determine the style of a passage. The Bible contains poetry, apocalyptic, narrative, didactic literature.

8. Match the style with its definition-

.

__ a) Poetry 1. Instructions and teaching literature.
__ b) Apocalyptic 2. Describes actual events.
__ c) Narrative 3. Uses dramatic symbolism.
__ d) Didactic 4. Paints colourful word pictures often in rhythmic fashion

Much of the early account of Genesis has been labelled as poetic mythology. However, when we apply the first two laws of interpretation, we find that all of Scriptures draws on these events as actual, and literal, and never as poetic (eg.'s Adam: 1Chron. 1:1; Lk. 3:38; Rom. 5:14; 1Cor. 15:22; 1Tim. 2:13; Noah: 1Chron. 1:3; Ezek. 14:14; Mtt. 24:17; Lk. 3:36; Heb. 11:7; 1Peter 3:20; 2Peter 2:5).

By understanding the different writing styles of Scripture, we can then be consistent in our interpreting. For example, if a piece of Biblical literature is poetic, we consistently interpret the passage as poetic. If it is apocalyptic, such as the Book of Revelation, then we consistently treat it as such. Allowing for the first two laws of interpretation, we can not interpret the first half of verse or chapter as literal and arbitrarily interpret the remainder as apocalyptic.

THE LANGUAGE OF SCRIPTURE

Unfortunately we don't all read ancient common Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew. We are forced to read a translation of these original languages when we read the Bible in our own language. In the English language, for example, we are given many choices of translations. This can either be a blessing or an obstacle to interpretation. Despite what some critics declare, most modern translations don't vary to any degree. Any difference is based on the objective of the translation. It can either be aiming at something close to "word-for-word" (using the nearest word in the reader's language to the original word), or "word-for-meaning" (using the nearest word that conveys the meaning of the original word). Even in English there are words or phrases that could not be logically translated word for word into another language.

THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND

If we are able to appreciate the culture and the social climate of a Biblical setting, then we more inclined to form a better interpretation. When Paul writes to the Corinthians and mentions sufferings, trials, troubles, and distresses, do we appreciate the cultural context of these words? He mentions similar things to the Thessalonians, but for vastly different reasons. When Paul told the Corinthians that ladies should wear a head covering, if they were to prophesy in the Church, do we appreciate that he is not talking about wearing hats? When the New Testament describes the Church meeting together, do we appreciate that it was in houses? But do also appreciate that no-where does the New Testament command this? When John says not to let a person into your house who brings false doctrine (2John 10), do we know what "house" means? All of these are answered by discovering the cultural background to a passage. Generally the simplest way to make these discoveries is from Bible Commentaries. Overviews or Surveys are also a simple and handy method.

Amen.

^* A "liberal" is someone who denies that the Bible is God's Word. They regard it as solely the product of humans. Therefore it can be examined from the point of view as being "just another piece of literature".Return to study

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__ a) Poetry	1. Instructions and teaching literature.
__ b) Apocalyptic	2. Describes actual events.
__ c) Narrative	3. Uses dramatic symbolism.
__ d) Didactic	4. Paints colourful word pictures often in rhythmic fashion