Friday: Further Thought ~ The Origin and Nature of the Bible
Further Thought:
Read the following pages from the document “Methods of Bible Study”: “2. Presuppositions Arising From the Claims of Scripture”, part a. Origin, and part b. Authority. (“Methods of Bible Study” can be found at www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/bible-interpretation-hermeneutics/methods-bible-study).
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
As essential as the Bible is to our faith, it alone would be of no real spiritual value to us were it not for the influence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds as we read and study it.
“In His word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience. … Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour, to open the word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings. And since it was the Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it is impossible that the teaching of the Spirit should ever be contrary to that of the word”. — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 9.
Discussion Questions:
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The Word of the LORD has all the knowledge we need for salvation and the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth John 16:8-13 so why did Jesus say Go and make disciples, teach them to observe my commands, Matt 28:19-20? Why do we need human teachers? Paul tells us the Holy Spirit gives some to teach and preach till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Eph 4:11-16.
We need guidance, we start out as seeds that need nourishment to grow and mature Heb 5:12-14, 6:1-3 until we are able to study the Word, under the Holy Spirit, for ourselves.
I get a sense that the lesson authors would like us all to come to the same conclusion when studying and interpreting scripture. Most of us have long enough memories to know that recent church history is peppered with examples of disagreements about how we should interpret scripture. Both sides accuse one another of not letting the Holy Spirit guide their thinking and of not using fundamental interpretive rules when reading their Bibles. My guess is that this series of lessons won't make an iota of difference and the same divisions of interpretation will continue until the end of time.
There is evidence, that division of interpretation existed even in the New Testament church and that councils and committees worked on providing answers, but, again with limited success. So, how do we expect to do any better in the present church?
Here are a few things to think about.
Sometimes the process is more important than the issue. If we can be tolerant enough to work together on interpretation, we can learn more about one another. That is one reason why I think it is important to have discussion forums such as Sabbath School Net, where we can put forward ideas in a safe environment, and not be called stupid, or Babylonian or worse. Where we can compare one another's interpretations and come to a greater understanding of both ourselves and the ideas we are studying.
Some issues of interpretation are not as important as we think they are. I remember describing a divisive situation to a Christian of another church. After my description, he commented, "What a minor issue to fight over!" I agreed with him and said that any family has disagreements and hopefully we learn in the process.
We need to ask ourselves what the work of the Holy Spirit is. Does the Holy Spirit give us clear cut answers or does it teach us to work together towards a solution?
Maybe we do have to learn to live with differences, understanding and supporting one another rather than having precise theological definitions of doctrine. As I have said before, the judgement scenes presented in the Bible are not doctrinal examinations but an affirmation of how we have related to the "least of these" in Jesus name.
Maurice, thank you for commentary on today’s “Further thought”. I think it best we all take to heart your suggestion that we be careful to maintain some independence from the subtle attempt at group think suggested by the GC statement. I too have been around long enough to remember group think lending itself to some very bad conclusions, some of which remain to this day. The fundamentals of Biblical Exegesis they suggest are sound but the suggestion that if we use their method, we will all reach their conclusion is not.
We are saved by maintaining our individual relationship through His Word (Bible) by Christ who stood in our place and definitely not by membership in/allegiance to any particular church. Despite the SDA church being blessed with an abundance of light and truth, there will a great multitude resurrected and alive caught up with Christ that know nothing of our “28 Fundamental Beliefs”.
So then what do we do with 1 Cor 1:10 and 2 Tim 2:15? How does this come about, but more importantly, why? Is there a reason we must "speak the same things"? How important is "rightly dividing the Word of Truth"? I have seen for myself why this is important. How is a new believer or long time members to react when hearing two opposing versions of the gospel from the same pulpit, depending upon who was speaking each Sabbath?
It is wrong interpretation of God's word that leads to wrong understanding of God's character, government and purposes, and the result is seen in how we treat our fellow man. Look at the results of the established religion in Jesus' day vs the church after Pentecost. It was the religion/beliefs of the leadership that brought great persecution upon those who followed the teachings of Jesus. Differing interpretations of the same scriptures produced opposition, and ultimately persecution by the side with greater numbers and civil power at their disposal. How often has this been repeated, and continues today over differences of opinion and conclusion? Prophecy depicts the remnant church in unity. While this does not mean absolute sameness in gifts or practice, it does illustrate the absence of opposing "truths". If the fundamentals are being disputed, what true unity can be expected in any congregation?
If we follow Jesus' counsel in dealing with those differences that cause conflict, the church will remain free of subversive divisions. Unfortunately, this is not the usual practice and congregations end up breaking apart while many remain confused. Until we follow Jesus fully, we are cursed to remain fragmented and powerless.
Ultimately, we must realize the truth that the wheat and tares will grow together until the harvest. Our individual focus must be to take Jesus' yoke upon us.
Maurice, your comments really got my brain percolating. They took my mind immediately to Matthew 25:31-48, one of Jesus’ most sobering (and in my mind, even frightening) parables. The parable tells me that my entrance to the Kingdom of God is not qualified on what I think I know truth to be, but on whether or not the Truth knows me. My entrance is predicated on my acts of lovingkindness to the “least of these”: the despicable, the willfully ignorant, those who cannot or will not see the truth my way, those who work against me, my enemies, especially when they are in my power and disadvantaged. I can be “right” (having defended the faith from error) into eternal punishment.
This standard of judgement is so far beyond my ability, as to leave me without hope. Thank God, that chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed his blood for me. And what is beyond my natural ability, his Spirit will supernaturally accomplish in me and through me, if I give up my self-will to his will. Faith in his accomplished work on the cross is the victory that overcomes the self in me.
Received – The Word of God must be received into the heart to germinate life. Only the seed landing on the good soil yielded sixty and hundred-fold.
Divine – No human could ever possibly imagine the solution to sin problem. Satan himself did not fathom the Son of God would lower himself to be identified with humanity.
Process – The message is the same. Language, interpretation of words may differ based on history, culture, and perception; however, if studied in the Spirit of God Jesus will always be the center of focus.
Written – Finding written old manuscripts in more than one location with coherency confirms the scriptures are truly inspired Word of God.
Parallel – In ancient times Word descended upon the sanctuary (I may dwell among them), in New Testament, Word became dwelt among us, and now Word dwells within us. (John 14:23).
Faith - Through faith we learn this world will come to an end. A new world adorned will come down and God himself will be established at the center.
Holy Spirit – It is only by the indwelling Spirit of God we can discern heavenly interpretations. Many read the same bible yet arrive at different conclusions because reading without the Spirit will invariably will lead us to error.
I write the following in mindfulness of the cautions that Maurice has outlined in his post above for today - that the bottom line of any 'doctrine'/truth is how we live and relate to one another in Jesus name (character).
What I have attempted to outline below is as brief an initial comment as I can about an vital dimension of Scriptural interpretation that is of HUGE significance. It is not a new awareness as the NT Bible writers were aware of it, and it seems Ellen White came to this awareness too during her latter years. But it is something that has been lost sight of which is starting to be re-discovered - even though it was 'under our noses' all along. If you read further, please do so carefully to increase the chances that you will see what I am trying to say.
Today's lesson contains a link to a document by the General Conference Annual Council Committee in 1986: Methods of Bible Study. Many of you will be familiar with many of the points outlined in this document. However there is one key point in particular that many are unlikely to be aware of as it is rarely mentioned.
Point 'p' under section 4 of the document states (bold emphasis mine):
The document then goes on to unpack this point further:
And still further:
What is being hilighted here is the existence of Hebrew idiom throughout the Old Testament writings. An idiom is a way of saying something that is understood by those within a particular culture (or subculture) - but which is at risk of being misunderstood by those outside of that group. By way of example, a while back it was trendy amongst young people to refer to something as being "sick" and even "fully sick". Taken literally, the notion of being sick or fully sick is not something good. But an understanding of the idiom helped you realise that something being "fully sick" was actually being described as being fantastic and a very good thing.
What does this mean for Bible interpretation?
What is reflected in the above-mentioned quote is that during the Old Testament, there are many statements that seem on face-value to support the idea that God causes destruction by being the source of that destruction. But what has been discovered (but unfortunately missed by the majority of modern language translators) is that due to these idiomatic statements instead reflect an understanding of God as the 'cause' of something via permitting/allowing it to happen.
Awareness of the existence and impact of the widely used Hebrew idiom of what seems to us as'causation' (amplified by the modern language translators not giving due attention to the existence of idiom) supports a scripture-wide harmonious interpretation of God and His actions exclusively as the source of life and the actions of Satan/sin as the exclusive source of death/destruction - as per John 10:10.
Some may say that if God permits or allows something bad to happen then that is the same as saying He is the cause of it in terms of being the source of that bad thing. And this has precisely been Satan's insinuation since Genesis 3 (and likely earlier in heaven). Correctly understood, Genesis 2:16,17 has God saying to Adam and Eve that they can freely eat from "every tree of the garden", but that if they exercise that freedom in eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it will destroy/kill them.
How will it do that? Ellen White accurately and succinctly unpacks the process that is also described in Galatains 6:8 and James 1:14,15:
And further (bracketed elaboration and bold emphasis mine):
We therefore have the opportunity to recover evidence that has been lost sight of over time. That evidence reveals and portrays a God who is - and always has been and will be - exclusively The causative Source of abundant life through His actions as Redeemer, Restorer and Healer.
I realise this is a very different view for many and that there will be questions and concerns because this is different that what we have been used to. I can assure you that this view of God is not based on the selective use of scripture but is instead the culmination of consideration of the multitude of dimensions related to Biblical interpretation of the whole of Scripture (many of which I have been raising in past posts).
Bottom line: God is always for us - never against us. That is the underpinning message of Good Friday. It is 'sin' (lawlessness 1 John 3:4) that is and will destroy us - not God. That is the message that can motivate us in our everyday lives and that is the message we have to share with a perishing world - both in our actions as a reflection of a God who is about healing and restoring and in our words of compassionate Truth.
I welcome constructive critique and questions.
Thanks Phil for your explanation of Bible interpretation highlighting the cultural differences that we need to be aware of when reading/ understanding God's holy word. It is the same today when we interact with people from other backgrounds and cultures we need to be sensitive so as not to offend, doing life with them, showing love/friendship with the help of the Holy Spirit teaching and guiding us every step. Which was the basis for our discussion earlier in the week in regards to Jewish faith and oral history.
I praise our Heavenly Father for this wonderfully clear and powerful insight that He gave you, Phil! Thank you for sharing it with us!
I am not necessarily a Bible 'student', speak English as my second language and partially learned to read English by attending Bible study using the King James version.
I grew up not knowing Jesus, but believed in a God that loves and comforts me.
Now, reading the Bible is edifying and I learn about His teachings regarding our life as we wait for our Savior's return, but I speak in layman's terms. I love to share His Word with anyone.
Our heavenly Father has placed an inquiring spirit in me. 'Why' is one of the most important words for me. He covered me throughout my long wanderings in the wilderness. He showed to me that I was HIS child when He gave me understanding of the scriptures through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit.
I agree with everything you stated, quoted and referenced: God is the "exclusive causative source" of all that we call life in the visible and invisible realms.
Choices by angels and mankind are made in two ways - trusting and abiding in God's universal law of 'Love and Inclusion' or doubting His perfect 'will' and falling into the trap of the challenger's/usurper's lies of self-determination.
The fall of Adam shows that there was a competing power to challenge the Creator's sovereignty to the established 'Law'. Soon, the Creator will have HIS Law established again without a competing power to challenge it. He will make all things new, the old things will pass away and will not be remembered.
God's creation includes choice. God told Adam that there will be consequences/reactions related to having faith/trust or doubting the love of his Creator.
Blessings - His Presence/Covering - to those that stay by Faith within the Creators established law of 'Love and Inclusion' which will again one day govern the universe unchallenged;
Destruction - alienation/separation - to those that loose Faith and therefore move away from the influence of the Creator's Law of His protective Love by preferring self-determination.
The choice we have:
We either stay under the Creator's influence that upholds/maintains His creation through His perfect law of 'love' - perfect inclusion, or, if we so choose and go our own way, we will be exposed to the influence of the usurper's law of final self-destruction.
Ephesians Chapter 6; John 14; John 13:42-50; John 10; John 5:18-47.
God is the Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and the End!
I want to add that Prayer as also a manifestation of the power of God's law of 'Love and Inclusion'. God leads you through His Spirit - Pray always !
Our Maker's Grace is the ultimate demonstration of His perfect love for His creation - He gave us a 2nd Adam - Jesus - in whom we will be saved.
Prayer moves mountains - that is, when He receives our prayer and it is in accordance with His will, He will move the mountain!
Humbly loving God with all our heart, mind and being and loving our neighbor as we want to be loved.
To Him be the kingdom, the power and the glory!
"I praise our Heavenly Father..."
I am so glad this was your response because my aim for sharing what I share is that people will see how AWESOME God is and be drawn to focus on him - not on me.
Praise God indeed!
Excellent Phil. Thank you
Thank you all for your inspiring contributions but most of all to Br. Maurice for his ever inspiring thoughts.
At this point in life (3 scores ten+), however, and with all that is happening which goes beyond comprehension, I find that all I need is to know that Jesus loves me because "the Bible" tells me so!
Easter blessings to everyone from a wounded but slowly healing Italy.
Prayers with you, Elvy. Hope you stay safe and well. Long. Long time no see.Tabitha
We have to accept things as children. Children have their own simple reasoning, but lack of malice or second intentions. Actually we are supposed to be God's children. As adult humans, we complicate things, we create problems where there are none. By accepting the Word of God in the heart and by being His flock, and learning to listen to His voice we are safe. The defects are within us, while we distantiate from God because of sin.
Come thou Almighty King, hear and heal your people
Well said everyone. Idiom. Every culture has their own idiom which is highly misinterpreted by other cultures yet the quarrel about the same things. Some say 1+2=3, another say 3+0=3, another might say you all are wrong. 3-1=2+1=3.
Because I am a ‘mover and a shaker’ (immigrant) I learned many idioms from different cultures. One day at work my children were calling me several times to say nothing is at home to eat. As I was answering the child I said stop molesting me at work. One coworker heard me said ‘stop molesting me, then her eyes grew bright with a startling look. I quickly said it is my child I am talking to and explained what it meant in another culture. She began laughing. My children best understood my reply of ‘molesting’ from their previous culture. I had no problem with them.
Sometimes I write and use words from different cultures which might sounds a little offensive to others but if I don’t know what offend others, can I be blamed or called insensitive?
So with the Bible. The Bible used the word ‘fat’ twice referring to people. Would we say the writer was not inspired by God? Because now the word fat is offensive to some cultures.
As Christians have we ever spoken to someone or befriend someone who is an Agnostic or Atheist to know why they think the way they do.
The Bible is good, knowing it is better, doing it is best. At work I befriend people first, find out how their day, how is family, is everyone ok.
2. Then I show them the love of God by helping them in whatever I can do for them, singing, laughing, joking clean ones. All of this is to win their confidence in me. Few minutes/ hrs, even days pass and the Holy Spirit starts doing his work in them.
Later I present Jesus to them and relate to the times we are living in. He gives me words what to say to them. While I do my part the Holy Spirit is the final and converting and convicting being.
The same way God has revealed himself to others he is still revealing himself to humans but in different ways to different cultures.
I trust that all have read the article on Methods of Bible Study from the link given at the start of this lesson, they are guidelines used by our community of faith and will help us not to be misled by individual opinions.
We might come to it later in the quarter but maybe we could give it a quick look -where do the traditions many hold - even the name Easter - originate? What and when are we told to "remember" in the Word of the LORD?
Whatever we discover - the most important thing to remember is that Jesus Christ died for our sins : God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Jesus. 2Cor 5:21