S.T.S. 1.6 [Main Article]

“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: a Primer on Biblical Interpretation”

In this edition of Scratching the Surface you will be hearing from my dear brother in the Lord and accountability partner, Daniel Copeland. Allow me to briefly introduce you all to Daniel. When I served at FBC – Perry, FL, Daniel was the worship leader who lead and guided the student worship band in PowerSource, our Wednesday night service. In fact, Daniel serves in that capacity to this very day. Daniel will recall that I referred to him quite often as the “James Taylor” of worship leaders. I would say that “the world has James Taylor . . . but PowerSource has Daniel Copeland.” I kid you not, Daniel sounds like James Taylor. In any event, Daniel is my “iron” who sharpens me on a regular basis from the Word and unto the glory of God. He tells me things that are uncomfortable but that are needed . . . oh, that all of you would have such a friend. Daniel is also one of the most sound and sharp theologians and Christian philosophers that I’ve come across in my days (including all of my professors at B.C.F.). I thank God for him. In all of this, however, Daniel would tell you that truth didn’t originate with him, and that it won’t die with him either. Daniel is merely a vessel of honor through whom the Lord moves for His good purposes and pleasure. He is a man of the Word, a wonderful husband to his wife, and a strong father to his two precious daughters. He is indeed a man after God’s own heart. With that said, I pray that you’d here him prayerfully.

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[the following is an edited e-mail correspondence]



Greetings Jane and All,

I thought it good to move on in this e-mail to discuss some principles of interpretation. I do this in preparation for dealing with the scriptures which Jane has previously mentioned and which seem to indicate truths contrary to what I have already discussed. This won't be a full exploration of the topic of Biblical interpretation (hermeneutics), but it should certainly help us in dealing with the texts that are in question.

-The Economy of Scripture-

Imagine if you had to be exactly specific about everything you wished to communicate in conversation so that it would be impossible to misunderstand what you were saying - even if the statements were taken out of context. Try it for a while, and you will see that the communication becomes so tedious and cumbersome, that you might rather say nothing at all. This is the way language is. We use words like "this, all, none, those..." to refer to concepts we have previously referred to in the conversation in order to minimize having to repeat ourselves over and over again. We depend heavily on context to enable the person we are communicating with to know the full meaning of the words we are speaking. For example, I have purposefully used the greeting: "Jane and All" in preparation for this point! Do you see that you must lean on context to understand what I mean by the unqualified word "all"? All what?

All people in the world?

All who read this email?

All to whom this email was addressed initially?

All elephants and fuzzy bunnies?

Thus, without context, the statement by itself is meaningless. Now, there IS a definite way to communicate truth more precisely, and that is in the form of propositions. A proposition is a truth statement which either affirms or denies something and which is either true or false. Here’s one example: “All men are mortal.” This proposition states a definite relationship between a subject and a predicate. For a proposition to be meaningful, however, all of its terms must be precisely defined. Let’s carry our example further to stress and illustrate what I have been saying thus far. I’ll put my greeting in propositional form....


Proposition #1: All initial recipients of this email are addressed and greeted by Daniel Copeland, son of Roy Copeland.

Proposition #2: In particular, Jane Doe, daughter of John Doe, is addressed and greeted by Daniel Copeland, son of Roy Copeland.

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Definitions:

To Address - To indicate one as the object of communication.

To Greet - To offer an expression of good will.

E-mail - A form of electronic communication

In Particular - To single out or stress.

Daughter - A female, direct descendant of.

Son - A male, direct descendant of.

Initial - First. Not second hand.

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At this point, you might be growing nauseated, so I will leave it at that. I hope you can begin to see how wise it was for God not to communicate to us in this way. Though it would have eliminated a lot of potential confusion, we would not be able to bring our Bibles to church or perhaps afford them or perhaps even fit them into our houses. Rather, in wisdom, God has been very economical in His use of words so that He can communicate a lot of truth to us in a compact form . . . and we thank Him for this!

-Interpretation-

So then, God has provided us a whole lot of information in a compact form....but we must do the work of unpacking this information into a more propositional form so that we can clearly understand it. This is the work of interpretation. Interpretation is not the act of deciding what we would most like for a passage to mean. Interpretation is not imposing meaning onto a passage that cannot yield its own precise meaning. Rather, interpretation is the process of conclusively determining by context, cross-reference, and other valid interpretive methods, precisely what God intends to communicate by the passage so that you could put its meaning into propositional form should you need to. The following are some relevant scriptures:

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" -2 Timothy 2:16

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation"
-2 Peter 1:20

"See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
-Deuteronomy 12:32

So, here we see Scriptural justification for my points above. First, the Scriptures require accurate handling (careful unpacking). To do this we must be diligent and work hard. Second, the Scriptures are not meant to be used to express one's own personal interpretation of what they mean. We shouldn't pass scriptures around in Sunday School and let everyone tell each other what that Scripture means to them. If we can't provide adequate reason to interpret a passage a certain way, we should NOT just invent our own personal, preferred meaning. Otherwise, we might be doing what the third scripture above prohibits . . . we might be imposing a meaning and thereby "adding to it" or "taking away from it". God does NOT take lightly to such carelessness.

Now, with a better understanding of what true interpretation is, I would like to address something Jane said in her initial e-mail.


Jane: "I'm not at all angry or mad at you for you not seeing things my way. It's all a matter of interpretation."


It's not completely clear to me what Jane meant by the latter statement; however, I want to be sure to address something that she could have meant - an idea that is all too common among modern believers. She could have meant to say that there is no way to be sure of what the right answer is on this issue, so it's just a matter of deciding what each of us wants to believe. That idea is what I want to warn us all not to adopt. Rather, I would encourage us to strive toward "sound doctrine". On the average, believers are way too sloppy with their beliefs so that they are easily persuaded by and tolerant to divergent viewpoints. This is the very opposite of how we should be Beloved. Consider the following verses:

"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine"
-Ephesians 4:14

"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."
-Titus 1:9

"I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."
-Jude 1:3

"In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine."
-Titus 2:7

According to the above scriptures, we are to be pure in doctrine, able to withstand strong winds of false teaching, and ready to refute and contend with those [especially in the church] who espouse false teachings. It should be our aim to become fully convinced of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of."
-2 Timothy 3:14

This is not to say that there are not non-essential, questionable matters that can arise. At the same time, however, doctrines concerning the nature and attributes of God and men, how salvation is activated and accomplished, and how God relates to the world He has created are all important and essential matters that the Scriptures have numerous teachings on. Therefore, we must labor diligently to understand, weigh, and accurately handle the matters these emails are concerning . . . "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" [Eph 4:13]. With this in mind, let us proceed not with the idea that it's all just a matter of interpretation, but rather with the idea that it is a matter of pure doctrine. Though we may not fully attain in this, brothers and sisters, let us keep pressing on.

-Context, Cross-Referencing, and the Unbroken Scriptures-

Resolved to do our diligence to accurately handle the Scriptures, let us look now to three principles which will help to guide us in this.

1. The Scripture Cannot Be Broken:

Jesus answered them,

"Has it not been written in your Law, `I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, `You are blaspheming,' because I said, `I am the Son of God'?”
-John 10:34-36

In the above passage, the Pharisees were taking up stones to stone Jesus for indicating that He was the Son of God. The Pharisees believed such a statement was blasphemy according to Scripture. Jesus rebuked their misunderstanding of Scripture by highlighting a verse which would contradict their faulty understanding, and by insisting that "the Scripture cannot be broken".

This is a critical principle in interpretation. As we strive to unpack the Scripture, we must never unpack it in such a way as to create a contradiction which would "break" the Scripture. Therefore, if a certain possible understanding of a scripture contradicts some other truth of Scripture, then we are safe and required to dismiss that possible understanding - even if at first glance it seems to be the most intuitive understanding of the passage. Let's look at another example to illustrate this principle. In Matthew 5, we find the following instruction.

"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."
-Matthew 5:42

At first glance, the meaning of this verse seems a bit absolute. It seems to say that under no exception are you to turn away someone who asks something of you or wishes to borrow something from you. However, if we understand that the Scripture also commands . . .

"If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either."
-2 Thessalonians 3:10

"But refuse to put younger widows on the list [to receive financial support]."
-1 Timothy 5:11

. . . then we know that there are exceptions to when we are required to give to those who ask us. Therefore, we cannot understand the Matthew 5:42 passage to say there are no exceptions, and we can safely throw out the "no exceptions" interpretation since failing to do so would result in a contradiction.


2. Context:

There is so much that could be said about context. As we have already discussed, language can be imprecise at times. Often, in common language, we use the same word to mean different things in different contexts. For example: “Gee . . . that was a gay affair indeed!” What am I saying??

Often we do not fully qualify the statements we make by listing the exceptions, or who the intended audience is, etc. Rather, these details are assumed to be understood from the context. As a result, a single statement, when isolated from its context, can become very ambiguous or can completely lose its meaning.

Let's consider an example of this very thing. Imagine receiving a nice card in the mail for your birthday and on it was this scripture verse . . .

"I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, . . . and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed."
-Genesis 26:4

Sound kind of strange? I think so!! However, why would the average believer not think it strange to find this verse instead?

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity; to give you a future and a hope."
-Jeremiah 29:11

Just as the first verse was contextually addressed to Abraham, the second verse was contextually addressed to “all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon" [Jer. 29:4]. Just seven verses above that famous feel-good passage, the intended audience is plainly given. Why then do most believers have no problem taking it out of context, and even, at times, go so far as to quote it to an unbeliever as a proof text that God means to do them good? Taking things like this out of context is very dangerous.

Let's look at what happens when we apply this verse to everyone. First, by applying this verse to everyone, we are saying that God has plans "for welfare and not calamity" for every human being. However, since we know that every human being doesn't end up well off, and many, in fact, will reap the ultimate calamity, we make it sound like God is not able to accomplish what He plans. This verse was meant to bring overwhelming comfort to the exiles in the face of great distress. It was meant to give them assurance, but we just took that assurance away from them. Second, what do you suppose an unbeliever thinks when he is shopping for a card and sees that verse, and then goes home and watches the news? He probably justifies himself in believing that "religion is a crutch" used to just make people feel better. He probably doesn't think we worship a faithful and promise-keeping God. Third, by applying this verse to everyone, we imply something about God. We imply that there are things God plans or wishes that He doesn't accomplish. We imply that God's plans are dependent on us for them to happen. How is such a concept supposed to be comforting? If we really think about it, when this verse is misapplied to everyone, it means "Don't mess up the plans I have for you!”

Thankfully, we have other scriptures on hand to help us destroy this threatening heresy.

“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.”
-Proverbs 16:1

“The Lord works out everything for His own ends – even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
-Proverbs 16:4

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
-Proverbs 16:33

"Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel/purpose of the LORD will stand."
-Proverbs 19:21

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”
-Proverbs 21:1

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”
-Proverbs 21:31

"The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, 'Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand."
-Isaiah 14:24

"For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate {it?} And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?"
-Isaiah 14:27

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
-Isaiah 45:7

So then, the next time someone quotes that verse out of context, let it serve to remind you how dangerous being so careless can be. By one simple movement, you could nullify a promise, cause unbelievers to blaspheme, and generate a heretical contradiction. Oh Lord, please teach us to fear.

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
-James 3:1

3. Cross-Referencing:

We have already seen this principle in action, so let me just say a few words about it. Often the meaning of a certain part of a text is seemingly ambiguous or uncertain. It is in these moments that we need to look elsewhere in Scripture to see if we can eliminate some of the ambiguity. We did this in the above examples, as we used other scriptures found elsewhere in the Scripture to defeat certain possible understandings of the scripture in question.

You will find that often God repeats Himself in various parts of the Scripture and in various ways of speaking so that we can be sure to get the point. As we put all of the relevant references together, the ambiguity disappears. Therefore, being familiar with the whole of Scripture is one of your best defenses against error. In much the same way, many bank tellers are trained on how to spot a counterfeit simply by meticulously studying the real thing.

It's relevant to point out that every scripture is written in the context of the entire Bible, thus the meaning of each scripture is potentially influenced by every other scripture. Sometimes a New Testament passage helps us understand an Old Testament passage, and visa versa. That is part of the awesome beauty of the Scripture. It speaks with one voice when properly heard and interpreted.

-The Primacy of Theological Study-

I'd like to briefly step up onto a soapbox to address something that concerns the entire body of Christ. The kinds of mishandling of Scripture we have been discussing are quite common in Christendom - even among those who like to think of themselves as people who revere Scripture. It is all too common for Scripture to be mishandled and misapplied - not only by laypersons, but also by the leadership. The confusion that results from such casual handling of God's Word leads to intellectual despondency in believers.

Paul warned that . . .

"The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires."
-2 Timothy 4:3

Although the day Paul speaks of may not yet have fully dawned, I believe a similar situation is upon us. Many believers today will not endure sound doctrine, because they do not think it exists. It is easy to see why this is so when so many voices quoting the Scripture say unorganized, over-generalized, and often contradictory things. Believers rarely learn for themselves how to carefully and accurately handle the Word, and soon get the subtle notion that the truth is beyond their ability to grasp with certainty and something which only God or "scholars" can know. As an anti-intellectual mindset grows in them, it is little wonder that they would "accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." That is, if you can't be taught with authority, you might as well pick the teacher whose message you like the most. This lack of understanding in the people of God is lamentable. In Hosea, God rebukes the priests of Israel saying . . .

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."
-Hosea 4:6

I would not be surprised if this is still our Lord's lament today. Notice in the following relevant passages how our Lord responds with contempt towards dullness to Scripture and the things of God.

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?'"
-John 3:10

"Have you not even read this Scripture: `THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE?"
-Mark 12:10

"You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God . . . but regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God . . ."
-Matthew 22:29,31

"Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him?"
-Mark 7:18

"How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?"
-Matthew 16:11

My fellow heirs in Christ, look around you. Opinion abounds, but truth is obscured. What good does our zeal do us, if we lack the knowledge to guide it? What good is our worship if we don't have an intimate knowledge of the attributes, purposes and ways of our object of worship? In fact, true knowledge (and I am not talking about warm, fuzzy feelings, but real intellectual
knowledge) logically precedes true worship . . .

"For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
-Hosea 6:6

". . . the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
-John 4:23

If the above is truly the case, then our priorities in the church are way out of whack, because we obviously fail to educate our members beyond the "elementary" things. We indirectly send the message to our congregations that "higher" levels of learning and thinking about the things of God are for the few gifted ones. In fact, we have to send our members to special colleges to gain such knowledge. Many today unquestionably speak about balance in our emphasis between worship, discipleship, evangelism, ministry, and fellowship. Perhaps they mean to say that we should not neglect any of these areas which is true; however, what I am saying is that it is not Scriptural at all to attempt to equally balance these areas emphatically. Rather, it is Scriptural to make discipleship primary. Read Luke 10:39-42:

"She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
-Luke 10:39-42

Here you find Jesus sets straight where the priority lies . . .

It's not in service (ministry) -- otherwise Martha would have chosen the good part.

It's not in fellowship -- otherwise the priority would have been for Jesus and Mary to both help Martha so they could all sit down and enjoy each other's company.

It's not in evangelism -- we often neglect to mention that the Great Commission is not to make converts, but to make disciples and to teach them.

It is not in worship either, as we have already shown.


What Mary chose and what Jesus said was necessary was "listening to His word.” Jesus was teaching Mary. He was educating her in the things of God. May we abandon the spirit of practicality that indoctrinates our culture with the philosophy, "You learn by doing". May we deny the notion that theological study is important only in so far as it is practical. Look at the apostolic letters. Do they begin with practical application or theology? Are they dominated by practical application or theological substance. You will find that it is the latter. In Romans, in fact, you don't get to the practical teaching until chapter 12, and even then Paul starts the chapter by pointing out that the transformation of behavior occurs by the renewing of your mind!

The church has lost a sense of what it means to "set your mind on things above". It doesn't mean constantly trying to image what Jesus is doing in heaven, or some illusive, mind-numbing state of consciousness. It means being a nerd for God!!! It means working at thinking about the attributes, purposes, precepts, commands and teachings of God so that we come to the place that we can "prove what the will of God is" [Romans 12:2].

Finally, to complete this encouragement let me simply quote the apostle Paul:

"Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature."
-1 Corinthians 14:2

So then, with all that said, I would like to thank you all for being willing to entertain this discussion. I believe the more we know with confidence about the character and nature of God, the better off we will be. Also, I would like to encourage discussion in these things. Let me make clear that the floor is open for questions or comments. If you are reading this and would like a question answered, or something clarified, or a stronger defense of one of my points (or for an obvious implication of said points), please send your question on to the following e-mail address: dcopeland@syntech-fuelmaster.com.



Regards and Love to All,


Daniel