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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (17-12-2002 Framsden Baptist Church)
We continue looking at important things that must be
considered when interpreting the Word of God. These are useful things for us all
to be aware of, whether we are in the position of explaining Scripture to
others, or for guidance about our own private study.
In this study, we are going to consider some controversial issues of interpretation. This is not for the sake of being provocative, but the aim is to make you think and understand others, even when you do not agree with them.
Men only gradually understand
the will of God. God gradually revealed Himself and His purposes. The climax of
that revelation was the coming of His Son into the world. The Word became
flesh (John 1:14). God having spoken at different times and in different
ways by prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews
1:1).
Only gradually did God’s
requirements receive recognition from men. Hence the presence in the Old
Testament of slavery, polygamy, divorce and blood revenge. These things are not
to be taken as God’s perfect will. God’s revelation takes men up at the
stage where it finds them. Rather than changing them at a stroke, God bears
patiently with old situation, which is often very evil, and gradually introduces
new values to change and soften mankind.
Revelation is responsible only
for the new elements which it introduces. “An eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24)
was an improvement on the situation where men formerly took both eyes. “One
tooth for one tooth” improves on the situation where a whole row of teeth was
knocked out for one tooth. A bill of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1) was necessary as
a curb to the hasty decisions about divorce. Cities of revenge were instituted
to limit blood revenge. Ceremonial law about sacrifices and priesthood and
ritual are now abolished in Christ, c.f. the whole argument of the Epistle to
the Hebrews.
Civil Law for ancient Israel, which was an ancient Eastern agricultural society, is not relevant to us today, though the underlying principles of fairness, kindness and justice are still valid today. “Distinguish and times, and you harmonize the Scriptures” (Augustine).
Note the relationship between the Old and the New
Testaments. “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New
revealed” or “New is in Old latent; Old is in New patent.” The foundation
of New Testament truths is prepared for in the teaching of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is about preparation; the New Testament is about fulfilment.
So we can interpret the obscure in the Old Testament by the clear in the New
Testament. The Old Testament is partial and incomplete; the New Testament is
perfect and final.
Never use one Scripture to
contradict another. For example, do not use the parable of the shrewd but unjust
manager (Luke 16:1-15) to advocate dishonesty. Remember the truth is many-sided.
Christ is variously portrayed as the Lamb, the Shepherd and the Lion. Important
to recognise all sides of the truth even though we may not be able to reconcile
them, e.g. the doctrines of election and predestination.
When discussing the latter issue, Spurgeon writes, “My love of consistency with my own doctrinal view is not great enough to allow me knowingly to alter a single text of Scripture… who am I that I should be everlastingly consistent? The main thing is not to be inconsistent with the Word of God.” He also referred to another preacher who “explains the text by explaining it away. He applies grammatical gun powder to it and explodes it by way of expounding it.”
There is agreement among evangelical Christians who take
the Bible as the supreme authority about the meaning of much of the Bible, e.g.
great truths about God, the person of Christ, His atoning death, new birth, the
future destiny of men. There is also agreement about Christian character and
conduct, service to God and service to others. But there are still differences
that remain. It is not possible to be black and white about every detail.
Regarding Genesis 1:5, there are differences in
interpretation of the Creation Story. On the Book of Revelations there are the
differing views of Pretorists, Historicists, Futurists and Idealists. Concerning
the 1000-year reign of Christ, there are the a-millenialists, post-millenialists,
pre-millenialists and dispensationalists, with their differing interpretations.
The problems arise over what is to be taken literally and what spiritually. Even
those who boast that they take the teaching of the Bible literally about the
future and Christ’s second coming have to concede that some points do not
stand up to literal reading, e.g. the seven hills on which the woman sits
(Revelation 17:9). Some of the Old Testament prophecies about Christ were
fulfilled to the very letter, but when were His ears bored, when did He sink in
deep waters, when did dogs surround Him and strong bulls encircle Him, to which
some prophecies refer? Has He still to suffer further humiliation?
Again, the prophets had to use words and ideas which were
meaningful to the first readers. There has to be transformation of Old Testament
prophecies from one period to another in interpretation. Controversy rages over
what is literal and what is to be spiritualized and interpreted in terms
meaningful to the modern world though retaining underlying truths.
More problems arise over the spiritual gifts, especially
prophecy, tongues and healings. The Charismatics say these gifts are indeed for
today, but others will say these gifts are no longer needed because the Canon of
Scripture is complete, and they were only needed to vindicate the Gospel at the
beginning.
The issue of Baptism also divides – is it for
believers, or believers and their children? Some will point to the parallel
between circumcision and baptism. Circumcision was administered in the first
generation to believers, i.e. adults, and thereafter to their children. This
view was held by some of the most Godly and theologically able scholars and
ministers from Reformation times. The question really is how far is the Old
Covenant to be the pattern for the New Covenant, or how far new elements are now
to be introduced. Is baptism meant to parallel circumcision at all? And to what
degree are the Old Testament covenant people of God the same as the New
Testament covenant people of God?
The ministry of women – another thorny debate. I do
not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man but to be in silence (1Timothy
2:12). The New Testament allows for lady deacons but not lady elders. Yet some
Christian organizations, like Faith Mission, have lady preachers, and some are
extensively used. Scripture also has references to women praying and prophesying
in Acts 2:17; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5, though they would not exercise authority
over a man in a church organisation situation. Women who pray and prophesy would
say people can still prophesy today, not in the sense of conveying new divine
truth in a unique way, but in a secondary way, giving insight into Scripture and
its meaning and application to the present world – very like our kind of
preaching.
Some combine the two, allowing women to preach as part of
a team as long as led by a man who takes final responsibility for what is said,
and women do not exercise authority over men. There is a special problem about
missionaries. No one seems to enquire too closely if ladies preach and teach men
on the mission field. Do we allow them to do on the mission field what we do not
allow them to do in churches? Why these double standards?
So we have these controversial areas. It is important not
to dismiss those who differ from us as knaves or fools, or imagine we have
nothing to learn from them, as long as they are real believers ands are
concerned to accept the supreme authority of the Bible.
Learn to distinguish between the Word of God and our
interpretation of the Word of God. There may never be, this side of heaven,
perfect agreement on every detail of the Bible. There are things that we cannot
say are black and white. There are elements of mystery in all doctrine. We ought
not be ashamed to say there are some things for which we do not have an answer. We
see in a mirror dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Note that we actually agree with one another on a great
deal more than we disagree on. We need to humbly learn from one another and keep
praying for more light. Since the issues that divide are not great central
issues about Christ and His salvation, and are therefore secondary, we can give
one another liberty of conscience.
Keep close to sound principles of interpretation. Always come to the Bible with a humble, open spirit, asking God to break through our cultural defences to challenge and change us. “The Lord has yet more light and truth to break forth from His Word” (Robinson). Always beware of minds made up and closed. “Open your mind before you open your mouth.” Do not come to the Scripture hearing what you want to hear, confirming your prejudices.
The deeper our conviction that we are handling the very
Word of God, the more serious and painstaking we should be in our work. Unless
we interpret correctly, we shall never understand it properly and therefore our
lives will be impoverished spiritually. So concern for right principles is not
an end in itself. These matters are important because of the nature of the book,
its claims and issues for time and eternity, which hang on the reception or
rejection of its message.
“There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He
means what He has said and will do all He has promised” (Hudson Taylor).
Therefore we should have an overwhelming concern for true and correct
interpretation to discover what He has actually said in His Word.
It affects us in three areas of our lives.
(a)
Our relationship with God. Man’s chief end is to glorify God. We were
created and then recreated in Christ to this end. Worship is our response to the
truth God has made known. It is the Word of God which evokes this worship. Hence
the Word of God has a central and indispensable place in public and private
worship. Also, by means of the Word, we have fellowship with God. He rewards
those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). He is the living God who speaks
in and through the written word. The Bible is a present means of communion with
God. Through His Word men know God’s will. Our daily life is full of
decisions, great and small, and the Word of God is indispensable because it
provides principles for decision and action. Therefore correct and adequate
interpretation of Scripture deepens our relationship with God and also increases
our usefulness to Him.
(b)
Living out our Christian life. Scripture contains the main guiding
principles for Christians living. The Lord Jesus lived in obedience to the Word
of God. “It is written…” was His guideline. What was essential for our
Redeemer is also essential for the redeemed. If you love me, you will obey
what I command (John 14:15). The Christian’s dearest ambition is to live
according to Scripture, in personal and social righteousness. The will of God in
the Word of God, for the people of God, relates to the whole of our lives. It is
vital to discover these principles and apply them if we are fully to use
Scripture as a guide for right conduct. Need for constant return and fresh
reformation according to the Word of God. Too often we can be satisfied with
traditional interpretation and attitude. Need to search Scripture daily to see
if these things are really so. Are we not guilty of being inclined to by-pass
some areas of Scripture, not because they are irrelevant to the 21st
century, but because they are not really convenient for us to observe them?
Therefore, while we read them, we do not exactly investigate them as thoroughly
as we might do because of the possible consequences.
(c)
More effective in communicating the Word to others. People are looking
for bread, and not stones. One of the great needs of the hour is for those who
will expound the Word of God in a simple, relevant way, which is well
illustrated and attractively presented. And above all, presented in the power of
the Holy Spirit. Need for the Word to come alive for preacher and hearer alike.
Only by this means will men be won, the people of God built up and able to give
a reason for the hope within them (1 Peter 3:15).
God has spoken about Himself, His saving purpose, issues
of life and death, right relationship with Him, living a life which pleases Him
in private, in church and among society. Our response is crucial, and of eternal
consequences.
Therefore we need to understand the Word. “This is why
reading of Scripture bears fruit with such a few people today, because scarcely
one in a hundred is found who will gladly submit himself to its teaching”
(John Calvin). James says we are to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers
(James 1:22). Jesus says we need to build our house on the rock of the Word, and
not the sand of our own ideas (Matthew 7:24-27).
We must constantly ask about what God is saying to us through a passage of Scripture. We need to distinguish between direct utterances and historical incidents, between examples of good and evil, and pay supreme attention to the teaching and work of Christ.
