“Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scriptures.” ~ Martin Luther
We’ve all likely encountered the phrase, “that’s just your interpretation,” when discussing passages of Scripture—and oftentimes it’s true! In the context of a group Bible study, for example, it’s often necessary (and good practice) to sort through various understandings of a text before ultimately arriving at the passage’s central meaning. Maintaining a Christ-like attitude of humility in the midst of such a rough and tumble process (especially for those with more knowledge), is vital for encouraging participation and critical thinking among any group. While the God-inspired meaning for a given text of Scripture is discretely limited in scope, there are often many applications (or uses) for the very same passage. The goal of this blog is not to make a comprehensive defense of the historically orthodox doctrine of Scripture, nor is it to supply ammunition for winning arguments. Rather, the purpose is to examine several key components of a Biblical framework for thinking, and to foster a deeper love for God as we explore His word.
Consider this real-life scenario: How should we react when someone confrontationally asserts, “that’s just your interpretation,” challenging a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith? It’s important to realize that such a critique comes, not as the unbiased result of mere observation, but as the conclusion of a “live your truth” worldview. In other words, this critique is not so much an argument, as it is the expression of a belief system. Understanding this helps remove the sense of intimidation that often accompanies such comments. Rather than fear these remarks as some sort of wrecking ball to the Christian faith, we should recognize them as the result of a worldview out of step with God’s word. This should move us with compassion and lead us to pray. By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit may work in their hearts as we present the gospel and love them in a Christ-like manner.
A Firm Foundation
Before getting further into the weeds, it’s important that we start with a biblical understanding of how God’s written word came to be. I’m not referring to the meticulous process of scribal copying over the centuries, but how the original authors wrote down what they did. As a key passage for the topic, we’ll look at 2 Peter 1:16–21. It’s a bit lengthy, but very helpful:
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The essentials of Christianity are rooted in historical events – most namely “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Without the clear and objective truthfulness of this message, the entire Christian faith collapses, as the apostle Paul later says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins… If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:17,19). But as we read from Peter, far from myth, the facts concerning the person and work of Christ are related to us by way of reliable eyewitness testimony. And not only that, God claims ultimate authorship over his word, thus allowing us to rest our confidence, not in human reason or transcription, but in his character. At the end of the day, amidst all of the apologetic musings and arguments to the contrary, we are invited to trust in the essential goodness of God. This reality is not only necessary in our formulation of doctrine, but it is occasion for those who love God to worship him.
Objectivity and Clarity
Now let’s take a brief look at two specific qualities of Scripture that help us to answer that pernicious question about interpretation: the objectivity and clarityof God’s word. Some passages convey explicit teachings, while others imply concepts subtly, like an undercurrent propelling a boat forward. The objectivity and clarity of God’s word are two such subterranean realities. While there’s no philosophical treatise on objectivism in the Bible, we see that it is assumed and used by the authors of Scripture and Jesus himself.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts that he “rightly [handle] the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Beneath the surface of this text we find our current of objectivity. If Paul is instructing a right use of Scripture, that means it is possible to wrongly teach from the Scriptures. These sorts of admonitions only make sense in a realm of objectivity. Jesus made similar comments during his earthly ministry, such as this startling rebuke to the Sadducees: “...Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (Mark 12:24). If the meaning of Scripture is ultimately a matter of relative/personal determination, then Jesus is found to be a sinner. It would be nothing short of prideful arrogance to make such a sharp assault on these religious leaders. If, however, the meaning of Scripture is objective, then his comment is found to be true, just, and even loving, as he points out the error of their false teaching.
Now the critic may suggest, “Perhaps meaning is objective, but that doesn’t solve our problem. If there’s no way of arbitrating between competing interpretations, certainty over the correct meaning is at best inaccessible.” If we look carefully at this statement, we’ll discover a key assumption at work: that God’s word is fundamentally unclear and therefore needs third party interpretation in order to be true. But is that assumption correct? Is the book that God wrote for the purpose of revealing himself to mankind so confusing that it is imperceptible? Only in a universe where the God of the Bible does not exist, which tragically is the perspective that many have embraced. In reality, since God’s word is both objective and clear in its central message concerning Christ, no third party arbiter is required; God’s word itself stands as the final authority. In this way, the message of Christ and him crucified becomes our ultimate ruler against which we check all proposed doctrine and interpretations of Scripture. And so it is that another seemingly impressive critique turns out to be no critique at all, but the pre-assumption of a Godless universe. On the contrary, God provides us with a very different description of his word, in his word:
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart... More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7–11).
A Call To Humility and Trust in God
At this point, it’s important to acknowledge that not all passages in Scripture are equally clear/easy to understand. The apostle Peter himself acknowledges this, saying,
…There are some things in [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16).
There’s something wonderfully encouraging about that. Not only are we comforted by its relatability, but we are wise to heed its warning. Those passages in Scripture that are more difficult to parse out, we ought to approach with great diligence, humility, and trust in God. In order to do this, we must allow those Biblical texts which are clearer to operate as guide rails for our understanding of those which are murky. There’s a reason most cults like to draw our attention toward the books of Revelation and Daniel as “there are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” By God’s grace, however, the closer we get to the gospel, the clearer things become, and with the gospel itself, we have absolute clarity (as well as unity among genuine believers). There’s no mistaking, misunderstanding, or compromising on this, “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Praise the Father for sending his Son, uniting us to himself by the Holy Spirit!
Discussion Questions
How does God’s ultimate authorship of Scripture affect our confidence in the Bible?
How does the essential goodness of God impact the way we approach life and faith?
How does Psalm 19:7–11 describe the nature of God’s law, and what implications does this have for how we view all of Scripture?
In what ways can the clearer passages of Scripture serve as guide rails for understanding more complex portions of the Bible?
