Jacob
2007-12-31 01:54:36 UTC
A literal interpretation of the Bible without thinking about what is
written can cause much practical damage. It may appear to be radical
to say that we accept what the Bible says just as it is written. If
this means that we don't try to make our own interpretation contrary
to what the Bible says, or go beyond what is plainly written, it is
fine. But if it means that we apply this as a rule which excludes
thinking about what it really means or questioning ourselves to see if
we have understood it properly, it can be dangerous.
The Bible says that love believes all things (1Co.13:7). Does this
mean that we should never question anything? Actually the Bible says
in another place that it is only the naive who believe everything! (Pr.
14:15). Obviously we can't take this verse about love literally, but
we need to understand what it really implies. It may include things
such as believing good things about people unless there is evidence to
the contrary, hoping the best for people even though currently it is
not going well with them, etc. This is the understanding we get when
we think deeply about the meaning of the verse, which would not have
been possible if we had tried to believe the verse just as it is
written.
Many people think of "Judge not" (Mt.7:1) as if we should not analyse
anything, or think or discuss about anyone in order to reach some
conclusion about him. Jesus Himself said that we should judge
righteously (Jn.7:24). It is clear in this case also that Jesus was
implying something other than the plain meaning of the words "Judge
not". I think He meant that we should not pass opinions about others
in a condemning, despising manner, as if we were perfect ourselves (Mt.
7:3).
These are only two examples of how unrealistic our understanding of
Scripture can be, if we do not make the effort to question and analyse
what we believe. We become gullible, accepting every new teaching that
comes up just because it is preached in a convincing manner (1Ti.
1:7;2Ti.4:3). Satan uses "Judge not" and "believes all things" to keep
us away from developing discernment.
What happens when we make such literal interpretation of the words of
the Bible is that we think we are being very faithful to it. But when
this is an unrealistic interpretation, we are actually not able to
practice what we preach! But we continue to proclaim what we think we
believe even though it is not true in practice in our life, because we
think we dare not question the word of God. Isn't this hyprocritical,
even if we are very sincere and our intentions are good?
God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all the truth (Jn.
16:13). When we go wrong in our understanding, He gives us a warning
in our heart. It is good for us to pause there and try to see where we
are going wrong. In that way we shall be protected from errors, and
also be led into more and more of the truth.
written can cause much practical damage. It may appear to be radical
to say that we accept what the Bible says just as it is written. If
this means that we don't try to make our own interpretation contrary
to what the Bible says, or go beyond what is plainly written, it is
fine. But if it means that we apply this as a rule which excludes
thinking about what it really means or questioning ourselves to see if
we have understood it properly, it can be dangerous.
The Bible says that love believes all things (1Co.13:7). Does this
mean that we should never question anything? Actually the Bible says
in another place that it is only the naive who believe everything! (Pr.
14:15). Obviously we can't take this verse about love literally, but
we need to understand what it really implies. It may include things
such as believing good things about people unless there is evidence to
the contrary, hoping the best for people even though currently it is
not going well with them, etc. This is the understanding we get when
we think deeply about the meaning of the verse, which would not have
been possible if we had tried to believe the verse just as it is
written.
Many people think of "Judge not" (Mt.7:1) as if we should not analyse
anything, or think or discuss about anyone in order to reach some
conclusion about him. Jesus Himself said that we should judge
righteously (Jn.7:24). It is clear in this case also that Jesus was
implying something other than the plain meaning of the words "Judge
not". I think He meant that we should not pass opinions about others
in a condemning, despising manner, as if we were perfect ourselves (Mt.
7:3).
These are only two examples of how unrealistic our understanding of
Scripture can be, if we do not make the effort to question and analyse
what we believe. We become gullible, accepting every new teaching that
comes up just because it is preached in a convincing manner (1Ti.
1:7;2Ti.4:3). Satan uses "Judge not" and "believes all things" to keep
us away from developing discernment.
What happens when we make such literal interpretation of the words of
the Bible is that we think we are being very faithful to it. But when
this is an unrealistic interpretation, we are actually not able to
practice what we preach! But we continue to proclaim what we think we
believe even though it is not true in practice in our life, because we
think we dare not question the word of God. Isn't this hyprocritical,
even if we are very sincere and our intentions are good?
God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all the truth (Jn.
16:13). When we go wrong in our understanding, He gives us a warning
in our heart. It is good for us to pause there and try to see where we
are going wrong. In that way we shall be protected from errors, and
also be led into more and more of the truth.