Key Points for Interpretation of Scripture

When interpreting the content of the Bible, there are many factors to consider. Some of them comprise the writer’s context, the intended meaning, context of Bible times, translation difficulties, the original audience, and the Holy Spirit’s way of applying the message today.

Many preachers selectively choose verses from the Bible that suit their preferences and build theologies that do not align with reality or present truth. Some often refer to the laws of Moses in the Old Testament to justify divorce and vengeance. Others take verses about liberal giving in Paul’s letters to churches and reframe them as doctrines promoting tithing.

The reason for these misunderstandings is our failure to practice what we teach in theological schools, Sunday sermons, and discipleship schools. We are quick to declare that everything points to Jesus in our words. However, our actions contradict our words in practicing what we preach.

For a correct understanding of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit must primarily lead the interpreter to observe Jesus’ actions. Jesus is the perfect role model for us to follow. We should adopt his course of action, even though there are certain topics for which we can’t observe much action from Him. Marriage is one example. He didn’t marry because we are His bride. Our wedding ceremony will take place at the end of this current setting.

The next thing to look at after Jesus’ actions is what He says about the topic. While He may not directly involve practically Himself in marriage issues, He offers guidance on what a Christlike marriage looks like.

There are situations where He doesn’t engage in practical action or provide a lot of insight on the topic. That is the case with the church lifestyle. During His time on earth, He focused on preparing minds for the church age in His Gospels. There are few direct instructions from him on dealing with church administration issues.

Therefore, we examine the actions and words of the Apostles and Early Believers. The Holy Spirit intentionally recorded the acts and words of those early individuals in the Bible because they were direct eyewitnesses. Jesus used them to establish the foundation we currently rely on. The Acts and Letters serve as a record of their actions and words for us to learn from. There is a lot in them on how to handle church issues.

Once we complete this step, we can proceed to what the rest of the Bible says about the topic. In this way, everything points to Jesus and we truly engage in ‘‘…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ’’ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

If you randomly select verses to construct theologies, you’re likely to interpret them with bias and prejudice. Ultimately, you end up with an interpretation that contradicts others in the Body of Christ, rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit and pointing to Christ.

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Should We Forget About Theological Explorations?

The existence of multiple conflicting schools of thought unquestionably causes confusion among Christians. Yet, let’s admit a fact. Engaging in theology is beneficial for us as believers. Stanford E. Murrell, ThD says, “…every thoughtful individual is a theologian to some extent, for life and destiny are affected by what an individual believes about God and His will.’’ Theology aids in interpreting life’s events, fostering appreciation for different perspectives and enriching our faith.

It’s important to understand that theology is simply a tool for exploration. This is the part where we frequently mess things up. The common desire is to swap out the sacred Word of God with our own theologies, even though theology serves only to enhance our comprehension of God’s Word. Theology is a means for exploration, not the actual treasure. I really hope we can get this right. The confusion caused by divisive theologies within the Body of Christ will diminish greatly.

Engaging in exploration is a magnificent practice that allows us to uncover enthralling discoveries in life. Life becomes more interesting with theological explorations. The greatest people who ever lived are all remembered for their explorations. While we explore, it’s important to maintain our focus on God. The exploration process is meaningful only when He receives all the glory in the end.

The Bible contains abundant knowledge about God and the universe, surpassing what one can fully understand in a lifetime. Let’s embark on an exploration. But explorers should know that not all borrowed routes lead to treasure. There’s a possibility of walking down a path and finding ourselves in an unknown wilderness or becoming trapped by wild beasts. Yet, every journey comes with its own lessons. We can take a more favorable path on our next adventure to discover abundant treasures.

We should view the theologies we create in this manner. There are various ways to explore God’s Word and uncover valuable hidden treasures. At times, the road we travel on leads us directly to blessings. On other occasions, we find ourselves entangled in perplexity. Rather than getting caught up in confusion and wasting our energy in pride, let’s be humble, acknowledge our mistakes, and unite for the next adventure.

Don’t get trapped in your so-called school of thought. The Holy Spirit is the sole school of thought, generating harmonious results that are helpful for all. Each time you isolate yourself up in your own system of belief, thinking you’re wiser than others, you’re only displaying your pride and causing rifts among fellow believers.

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