Wednesday: Scripture Interprets Scripture
Only because there is an underlying unity of Scripture can the Bible function as its own interpreter. Without such unity, Scripture could not be the light that reveals its own meaning, where one portion of Scripture interprets other portions and thus becomes the key to understanding related passages.
Read Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44-45. How does Jesus refer back to Scripture to explain who He is? What does this teach us about how we can use Scripture?
Image © Erik Stenbakken Goodsalt.com
The beauty of letting Scripture interpret Scripture is that it sheds further light on its own meaning. In doing so, we do not indiscriminately string together various passages to prove our opinion. Instead, we carefully take into consideration the context of each passage. Besides the immediate context before and after a passage under investigation, we should take into consideration the context of the book in which the passage is found. Furthermore, since according to Paul in Scripture, “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us” (Rom. 15:4, NIV), we should study all that Scripture says on a given subject.
“The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption”. — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 190.
When we compare Scripture with Scripture, it is important to study the Bible thoroughly. If possible, we should do so in its original languages, or at least with an appropriate Bible translation faithful to the meaning contained in the original Hebrew and Greek. Though knowledge of the original languages is not necessary to have a good understanding of the Bible, it certainly helps when possible. If not, faithful and prayerful study of the Word, with an attitude of humility and submission, will still surely bear great fruit.
| Think of a doctrine, such as the state of the dead, for which focusing on a few select passages could lead to error if other passages are ignored. What does this tell us about how important it is to gather and read all that the Bible says about a topic in order to understand best what the Bible teaches? |
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One of my evangelistic friends has an interesting way of conducting Bible studies.
He invites his participants to read a passage of scripture, typically a whole chapter, and in the following discussion he asks the readers to explain what they think it the big idea of the passage. If necessary he will point them to a parallel or related passage of scripture. He tries to avoid the trap of trying to explain to his readers what they should see in what they read.
In the world of education we often set students reading assignments and ask them to explain or test the validity of what they have read. The whole idea is that students need to develop the skills of acquiring knowledge and analysing it without the continued input from the teacher telling them what the right answer is.
The Jews fell into the trap of letting the Talmud define the Torah. They essentially reduced belief to a catechistic recital of belief rather than and experiential one. Unfortunately, in Adventist circles we can very easily become guilty of the same problem, and we sometimes use Ellen White as the final arbiter of what to believe; something that she warned us against doing.
A couple of caveats:
The lesson authors warn us against "cherry picking" - using a text gathered from here and there to establish what we think that Bible says. I am very much aware of how we sometimes use that approach in "proof texting" our doctrines. To avoid that we need to ensure that we use a wider approach and understand the context of those texts. Usually the problem is in the methodology and not the context.
There is a lot of talk about letting the Holy Spirit guide us in our Bible study. We need to understand that the Holy Spirit works with us in a variety of ways. I cannot emphasise enough the idea that the Holy Spirit works through our interaction with others. It is the that environment that the Holy Spirit moderates our ideas and interpretations. And it is not a quick fix - the Holy Spirit is not in a hurry to push us, but is there to gently lead us.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is working diligently and patiently in the believer's heart, mind and Spirit.
The Holy Spirit of God - Eph.4:30 - the new educator!
Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (us) - Eph.1:13
It is a Gift and a Promise - giving us new life through the Spirit.
The following are New Testament references pointing out the Holy Spirit and its work; there might be more:
Eph.4:4-5; Acts 2:38; Matt.3:11; Mark 1:8; 1.Cor.6:19; 1.Cor.3:17; Rom.8:9; Rom. 8:11, Eph.4:30; Cor.1:21; Eph.1:13; 2.Cor.5:5.
The Old Testament is also full of references to the mighty work of the Holy Spirit:
Gen.1:2; Gen.2:7 (breath=Spirit); Job 26:13; Ps.104:29-31; Is.32:15-17; Is.42:1-9;
Giving extraordinary Power:
Numbers 27:18; Judg.3:10; 6:34; 1.Sam.10:9,10; 16:14.
Inspiring holiness in the Old Testament believers:
Ps.143:10; Ezek.36:27;
The Holy Spirit of God displays the Creator's essence - 'Perfect Love'. It inspires and directs God's chosen ones in wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, righteousness and faithfulness.
The work of God's Spirit goes on until it is time to close this present age. 2.Thess.2:7-13;
v.13: 'But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation though sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
Is.61 to Luke 4:18,19 - From the Old to the New Testament, the Work of The Holy Spirit of God empowers the believer.
HALLALUEHA someone speaking truth.
it's by the direction of the holy spirit that leads us into all truth of ourselves and of the word of God. That's its major use. To bring all to the knowledge of the truth. That truth being Christ and him crucified. Thats the foundation of the word of God,yet there is more to his Revelation in these times in regards to that.
Using parts of Ellen White's quote in today's lesson, the student: ... He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God's original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption."
If we keep this in mind, we will also keep in mind - 2 Tim.2:14-16, ..'that they strive not about words to no profit .. but to use the study to be able to rightly divide the word of truth' to draw mankind to the Light.
I do not think that we, at this point, are still needing to study to proof whether the Truth, as revealed in the Scripture, is having the power to reveal the Creator and His plan of Salvation and Redemption.
John 14:23-26 - In addition to the holy Scriptures, we have the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost to reassure us that we are now the children of GOD, our original Father, and again under HIS 'care'.
GOD's Holy Spirit now shines its light upon the saved to increase our love of Jesus, to empower us to keep His words and therefor, "my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
We are a new creature, made wholly new by the victorious power of God's undiminished Love for His Creation.
The power of death (not just over the flesh but also over the Spirit) has, by His Grace, been levied in the act of the obedient, self-renouncing Love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The proof of this new Life is in our Savior's Resurrection - now being the new Adam. Our new life is now hid in Him and, with Him, we have been reunited with the Father.
We are able to sing the new song - the song that resonates and stirs the Father's heart to give Grace to mankind.
This is at the heart of our Testimony to the dying world - the Risen Christ, God's abiding Law of Love and Grace, the final crescendo of the manifestation of evil before the coming of our Savior to call His elect to join Him in His Throne.
To use the better word: please, replace 'levied' with 'overcome' in the second to the last paragraph.
I am a stickler when it comes to words, knowing and wanting to avoid the complications arising when using the wrong one.
When expressing my thoughts, I prefer using declarative form - meaning what I say and saying what I mean, therefor having to be extra careful.
Thank you for bearing with me whiles I learn to speak and write using the English language. To be honest, after living in America for 40+ years, I can express myself now better using English than German.
I think that there is one more improvement to be made to ...been 'overcome in' the act of ... .
Using English as my second language, I am always challenged by the 'small' words; they are full of power because they can change the meaning of ones expressed thought.
So, one more attempt to correctly express my thought: ... been overcome 'by' the act of ... .
One of the problems we face in an international discussion group such as this one is that we have many readers and commenters from different regions where idea/word associations are quite different to what we are used to. As an Australian (well New Zealander living in Australia) I have been misunderstood several times in this forum. My memory goes back to 1997 when I used the term "ratbag" in a typical Australian way and this led to a series of misunderstandings and consequent explanations that ultimately led to some very firm friendships that have lasted right up to the present time. I can also remember the time that a General Conference president visited Australia in the 1960s and at Big Camp used an expression in his sermon that had the Australians roaring with laughter. He realised of course that he had crossed the Pacific without a course in Australian language peculiarities. However nothing was lost. He took his error in good humour and Australian Adventists appreciated his message more as a result.
We appreciate your effort to say exactly what you mean. English is a very "rubbery" language and nailing the meaning in a multicultural international discussion is sometimes elusive.
We are so blessed these days with all the aids to help us to find the various passages on a topic so Scripture can explain Scripture. How did they manage without them?
To what resources do you have access?
What are the dangers of some of the resources?
My Bible has a few references to other related texts.
I also use the free electronic eSword bible which gives a whole lot of related texts.
Hi Shirley -
For my personal study, I use the King James translation of the Bible. For further study, I Google 'Bible Verses' and type in my search topic (word or passage) to bring up several related bible-verse-choices. 'biblehub' is my preferred source for finding bible verses that apply to my search. It also offers to read the related scripture in many different translations.
How often have you sat in a Bible study, looked at a passage with other group members, and then had the leader of the group ask, "What does the passage mean to you?" A minute or two passes in silence; slowly individuals begin to respond: "To me this passage is saying" this, or "to me this passage means" that.
Of course, to ask what a passage means is praiseworthy..
If I make myself the center in my search for meaning in the Bible, I will naturally mine the Scripture for passages that I sense are immediately relevant to my life, and ignore swaths of texts where I don't discern immediate applicability. "This," the authors say, "leaves us basing our Christian life on less than the full counsel of God."
A me-centered approach to the Bible confuses application with meaning. Simply put, I am not the focus of the Bible's meaning; Christ is. Yes, as God's image-bearers, we play an important role in the Bible's story. Christ has come to save us, and much of the Bible's story explains the wonder of how he has done just that. But if the first question I ask of a biblical text is how I can apply that text to my life, I leapfrog over meaning to applicability.
If bible alone should be the standard for our church growth, our church should be filled with people. However church is much more than doctrinal truth. It is about building relationship. Jesus said, you give tithe on mint but fogotten the weightier matter jutice, mercy and faithfulness.
Justice
Don't compromise on the convicted truth God has placed in your heart. (Daniel and his friends could have easily said, we are in a new country thrust in to a situation therefore, its ok to give up my on my conviction)
Mercy
A church must have embracing love (as in the prodigal son story no condemnation: I knew this is how things will turn out when ou left home without education and job)
Faithfulness
Stay faithful because you don't know who is being influenced by your actions.
May God bless us as we read, study and grow together.
Thy way O Lord is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God. Ps 77:13
Quote from above- Think of a doctrine e.g state of the dead.
I met a gentleman a few days ago. He was explaining the state of the dead to me according to what he believes the bible says. According to him, when we die, the bad people goes to one place and the good people goes to another place. At the resurrection the bad people then goes to one part of heaven and the good to another part of heaven. The good and the bad does not mixed. I told him you know that is not what the bible says.
Some even believe in heaven people will live according to the color of their skin.
Many who are not SDA says, when someone dies they go to heaven and look down or guard their love ones. Or they can smell their perfume, or something to that regard. But what I found many times it is hard to minister to people while they are grieving. If possible the discussion should be before or after that process. Whenever I am engage in that conversation I let people know what the bible says about when someone dies. If possible, I will give then a tract or we use the bible and read from it.
But I met some people even in the church who cremated their family members and still held on to their ashes for remembrance. It that right or wrong according to the scriptures?
But what I found, many many times if not all the times one doctrine in the bible leads to another doctrine. Many doctrine cannot be separated because the bible is one entire book. For example, from the study of the state of the dead, it can lead to angels and their work, which leads to death and resurrection, leads to the second coming of Christ, the millennium and the end of sin and then the new earth.
Angels-
who are angels? are angles real? their rolls and functions? were they created? what power they have/have not?
Because Satan was the head of the angels in heaven and had certain powers, when he was cast out of heaven he come with all his powers to earth to deceive humans. He and his fallen angles are confusing humans and allowing them to believe so much distorted things about the state of dead people.
Satan and his angles have used their powers and cunning arts to deceive many. Christ warned us is Matt 24:1-51 not to be deceive by his works. Do some SDA Christians celebrate valentine day, or all fools day, Oct 31-Halloween same as all souls day, or November 1st- all saint's day. Do some go to the grave and clean up and talk to their dead ones.
What does the bible says about Angles? It is only by the Holy Spirit that our mind, soul, body and strength can be in tune with our Holy Father. if not Satan will deceive even those who have spent several years in the church.
“When we compare Scripture with Scripture, it is important to study the Bible thoroughly. If possible, we should do so in its original languages, or at least with an appropriate Bible translation faithful to the meaning contained in the original Hebrew and Greek. Though knowledge of the original languages is not necessary to have a good understanding of the Bible, it certainly helps when possible. If not, faithful and prayerful study of the Word, with an attitude of humility and submission, will still surely bear great fruit.”
I applaud the lesson’s affirmation of the need to study the Bible thoroughly. If you do not want to go as far as developing at least some familiarity with the original languages, at least be aware that these languages support a different view of key aspects of scripture than is conveyed in a face-value reading of modern languages translations. At a very minimum, it is necessary to be aware of the role and use of metaphor by bible writers and of the role of the Hebrew idiom of causation that is very widespread throughout the Old Testament - as well as being reflected in New Testament references to Old Testament passages.
By way of reminder, ancient near-eastern people would say that God caused something bad to happen when the equivalent understanding in our modern view would be that God permitted or allowed something to happen - though He did not directly cause it to happen and is therefore not to ‘blame’ for it having happened. For further detail in regard to this and other key essential principles of Bible interpretation, see again the 1986 General Conference document: https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/bible-interpretation-hermeneutics/methods-bible-study.
Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. Ps 119:11
Josiah, that makes sense. What the passage means to me, or you might not be what it was intended for. We read an eye for an eye in the OT. You do me evil, I return it to settle the score. I remembered yrs ago a woman sent me a lawyer letter to say I defamed her character and was supposed to go to court. I had the same power to go to a lawyer to send her a letter of wrongful accusation. Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. A few years went by and we began talking and was good friends.
A few nights ago this thought came to me. Luke 12:48-49 Given much, much is required. Given little, little is required. Remembered we are given talents according to our capabilities. Someone, 2, 3... and more. Some can't comprehend their native language, much more another language. But I realized the Lord at my judgment will not ask me, e.g what John 3:16-17 means in Latin or Greek or any other original text. The Lord will ask, when the Holy Spirit tried to instruct and guide me in my native tongue, did I responded to him? Yes/No.
It is wonderful to see how the Holy Spirit will connect one verse to another as we study, and these connections will illuminate the understanding of a passage in sometimes surprising ways.
With the promises of God to "instruct you and teach you", His word will unlock the wisdom and truth it contains to any who desire to know the truth that they may obey it.