Interpretations of Scripture, Part 2

I can't tell you how many times I have been told by other Christians that everyone is free to have their own interpretation of Scripture or that God intended His Word to be interpreted differently by Christians depending on their individual circumstances and beliefs. Yet, all I have to do to know many Christians hold to this belief that there is more than one interpretation of the Bible is to look around. The Church has changed. Look at the churches across America, and you will find a great number of them believing (and preaching) various heresies that have come out of this belief that God's Word means different things for different people:

Homosexuality is not wrong for everyone - God made some people that way... Divorce is acceptable, and even condoned in many churches - God wouldn't make them stay with that horrible person (that they don't get along with anymore or don't have chemistry with anymore) forever... Abortion is not always wrong - God wouldn't make them have a baby that was a result of rape or incest, and He certainly wouldn't make them have the baby if it put their life in any danger... Women shouldn't be forbidden to do anything - God made them equal and that gives them the right to take on whatever task or position they like, be it head of a home or a church... Sin is not something to spend much time thinking about - grace is there, so it doesn't matter how we live... Everyone is loved by God - we must never say anything about the way people choose to live because it's their choice and ultimately, God loves them and grace will cover them... The gifts of the Spirit and speaking in tongues are no longer applicable - God only allowed those things during Bible times because he wouldn't want anyone today to be embarrassed or viewed as a "freak"... Jesus is not the only way to heaven - that is just the way some people think, but Allah and Buddha can get you there too... 

In reading this morning, I was struck by the simple truth of God's Word and our interpretation of it as believers. Following is an excerpt from my reading. It is taken from Andy Deane's book entitled Learn to Study the Bible.

Chapter 3 - Interpretation: What Does It Mean?

The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Every good Bible study method has as one of its main objectives, the correct interpretation of the Scriptures. However, Dr. Roy B. Zuck, of Dallas Theological Seminary says, "Most of the time when many people approach the Bible, they jump from observation to application, skipping the essential step of interpretation. This is wring because interpretation logically follows observation. In observing what the Bible says, you probe; in interpretation, you mull. Observation is discovery; interpretation is digesting. Observation means looking at what is there, and interpretation is deciding what it means. The one is to explore, the other is to explain." ...

"KNOW IT" - Interpretation Helps Us Discover the Meaning
A correct interpretation of Scripture will never be discerned strictly by human logic. We cannot simply apply our intellect to the text; we must be willing to allow the revealed wisdom of God to speak to us through the pages of Scripture. Many Christians miss the truth of God's Word because they are trying to mold its precepts to fit their own personal ideologies. They read meaning into the text rather than drawing understanding from it. However, when we come to the Bible prepared to have our thoughts and ideas conformed to its authority (rather than the other way around) then whether we are seasoned biblical scholars or the youngest Sunday school students we will be able to come away with a correct understanding. The best assurance we have of arriving at the right interpretation of any biblical passage always begins with laying aside our own preconceived notions, gut feelings, long-held beliefs, and persuasive arguments, and allowing the Word of God and the Spirit of God to impart understanding to us.

The Bible is the ultimate authority int he church and in the lives of individual believers. However, people often discredit the Bible with comments such as, "Well, everyone has their own understanding of what the Bible means," or "there are as many interpretations of the Bible as there are Christians." But statements such as these are simply untrue. 2 Peter 1:20-21 reminds us that the Word of God has only one correct interpretation: "No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

We should never approach the Bible in the same subjective way in which we would view a painting by Picasso. the Bible is not an abstract piece of art that invites everyone to weigh in with his or her own opinion of its meaning. Every passage of Scripture has an intended and discoverable truth - one correct interpretation. 

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Prayer is also a key factor in assuring that we always come to a correct understanding of the Scriptures. In fact, when it comes to God's word I believe prayer is even more valuable than seminary. The richness of every biblical passage will be revealed to those who read the Bible on their knees.