Chapter 2

The Necessity Of Biblical Interpretation1

ANY PEOPLE HAVE CONCLUDED that the Bible is Gods Special Love Letter to Humanity. And rightly so! However, the question then arises: But, if the Bible is actually a love letter from the compassionate Father to His children on earth, why then does one need to learn how to interpret it? Should this love letter not be easy enough for everyone to simply pick up, read, and thus understand everything it says? This issue is what we need to consider here, before looking at the specific manner in which Jesus Himself handled the Holy Scriptures.

Examples Of The Need For Interpretation

The gospel writer Luke records a fascinating account of Philips encounter with an Ethiopian royal treasurer, who was on his way back to Africa after worshiping in Jerusalem: So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.

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So the eunuch answered Philip and said, I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him (Acts 8:30-35).

This type of situation, in which there is a definite need for proper interpretation so that the Bible can be correctly understood, is mentioned more than once in the sacred Scriptures. Consider for example, what is recorded in the book of Nehemiah. The priest Ezra was instructed to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel (Neh 8:1). After Ezra had read from this sacred scroll, it is recorded that the Levites read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage (Neh 8:8 NLT).2 This indispensable need to have the message of Scripture appropriately interpreted so that it will be accurately understood, is seen in the well-known account of what happened on the road to Emmaus. Even though they had been disciples of Jesus, Cleopas and his companion had not grasped the real meaning of the inspired Written Word concerning the role and mission of the Messiah; hence their disappointed conversation (see Luke 24:19-24). After joining their discussion, the record states that Jesus interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27 ESV). Later that evening, when Jesus met with a larger group of His followers, He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Repeatedly the Bible records examples of the fact that the written word of God needs to be carefully read and properly interpreted so that people will comprehend its true message.

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Cautions About Misusing Scripture

In his second epistle to the young pastor Timothy, the apostle Paul summoned him to Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). This phrase rightly dividing is rendered as accurately handling the word of truth (NASB), or as one who correctly explains the word of truth (NLT). Thus, the call to anyone who seeks to share Gods written word, is to accurately handle and correctly explain the inspired Word of God. Expressing a similar concern about the appropriate use of Gods Word, Paul complained about people who adulterate the word of God (2 Cor 2:17 NJB), or corrupt the word of God (KJV). This warning about the misuse of Scripture is reiterated, even more strongly, where John the Revelator states that the one who adulterates or undermines Gods inspired Word will forfeit eternal life (Rev 22:18, 19).

Needs Indicated By Time, Place, And Culture

Twentieth-century individuals are removed from Bible times by approximately 2,000 years. Most of humanity live in a world geographically separated from that of the writers of the Scriptures. Additionally, the culture and society of a very large majority of contemporary humankind is considerably different from that of the ancient Middle East. For example, the following challenges face the one who seeks to properly understand the Old and New Testaments of the Bible: 1. The barrier of languages: Since the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, it must be accurately translated for people to correctly understand its message.

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2. The gap of social relationships: Because the Bible was produced in the setting of the Middle East, knowing about the relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, the extended family, etc., would facilitate a deeper and better understanding of the Written Word. 3. The gulf of civil, political, legal, and military institutions: For example, the fact that ancient Israel had a theocratic and monarchical system of government, together with all the ramifications of such, will impact ones interpretation of certain issues in the corpus of Scripture. 4. The chasm of economic and technological practices: In ancient times, most of the world was agrarian, in comparison to our industrialized, technologically-advanced contemporary age. A knowledge and understanding of such ancient practices will facilitate a better grasp of some issues in the Bible. 5. The separation between ancient and modern thinking: For example, while ancient biblical thought-patterns were very concrete, modern patterns of thought are more abstract and analytical. A recognition and understanding of such factors will also be of assistance in the study of Scripture.

Objectives Of Biblical Interpretation

None of the above challenges to correctly understand and appropriately apply the divinely-inspired Scriptures should be cause for concern or discouragement. Indeed, the promise of Jesus is as sure today as it was when He made it two millennia ago: If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine (John 7:17). Or, as put more simply: If any man is ready to do Gods pleasure he will have knowledge of the teaching (BBE). This basic

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concept is actually a reiteration of the previously-stated guarantee: And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jer 29:13). This divine declaration was itself a repetition of what Moses, under inspiration, had told the Israelites almost a thousand years earlier: You will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut 4:29). In short, there is a divine warranty that everyone who is willing and committed to seriously studying the Scriptures will be able to understand and personally know the Creator God, as well as His teachings for all humankind. As Ellen White so succinctly stated: God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings, and know for ourselves what He requires of us.3 In his first epistle to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul plainly explained the specific purpose of the sacred Scriptures: They were written down for our instruction (1 Cor 10:11 RSV). Or, as Paul stated elsewhere: Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us (Rom 15:4 NLT). In light of the above, instead of worry or disillusionment, a recognition of the above-listed challenges will enable the committed Bible-believer to be more careful and thorough in the study of the Word of God, and to be less likely to be led astray by the often confusing theories of even so-called scholars. Here, we would do well to recall, an oft-quoted and vitally important statement from the writings of Ellen White: God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or

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precept , we should demand a plain Thus saith the Lord in its support.4

Ellen White makes this call to individual Bible study even more explicit, when she cautions: Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves.5 Then, she adds: It is not enough to do what a man thinks is right, or what the minister tells him is right. His souls salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself.6 In brief, It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light, and encourage others to follow his example.7 As will be discussed in a subsequent chapter in this book, Jesus repeatedly used the Scriptures in His life and ministry. He believed in the authority of the Scriptures (e.g., Matt 4:4). He not only taught from them (e.g., Matt 12:7-8), but clearly lived by them (e.g., Matt 4:8-10). Frequently, Jesus quoted from or referred to them (e.g., Matt 11:10, 21-24; 13:14-16; etc.). When He was talking to the Pharisees, He answered their concerns by quoting from the Scriptures (e.g., Matt 12:3-8). And, on a very practical level, Jesus responded to temptation by quoting from Scripture (e.g., Matt 4). As the Psalmist noted: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! (Ps 119:11). The indispensability of Scripture in the battle with Satan is well-articulated as follows: Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember Gods promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity, they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed.8

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Delightful Consequences Of Deep Bible Study

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps 119:105), the Psalmist declared. But, he also stated: I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word (Ps 119:16). It is that aspect of delighting in Gods Word that is so vital for the believer. That ancient prophet Jeremiah put it this way: Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart (Jer 15:16). As rendered in the New Living Translation: Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my hearts delight. Many are the delightful consequences of seriously searching the sacred Scriptures. Here, expressed in more contemporary language, are just some of the precious benefits of the Bible: The word of God is like a treasure house, containing everything that is essential to perfect the man of God.9 There is nothing more calculated to energize the mind, and strengthen the intellect, than the study of the word of God. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If Gods word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose, that is rarely seen in these times.10 This guarantee of growth in mind and morals, is predicated upon diligent searching the Scriptures: The mind will enlarge, if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. Go below the surface; the richest treasures of thought are waiting for the skillful and diligent student.11 S

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Endnotes

1. This section includes an edited, revised, and expanded account of materials from the Foundations of Biblical Interpretation, acquired in that seminal seminary course in 1985. 2. All passages of Scripture quoted in this volume that appear italics are due to emphasis being added. 3. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1911), 598. 4. Ibid., 595. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid., 598 (emphasis added). 7. Ibid., (emphasis added). 8. Ibid., 600 (emphasis added). 9. Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education (Nashville: Southern Publishing, 1923), 123. 10. Ibid., 126. 11. Ibid., 127. S