“I (Jesus) warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
Current Events
This post comes on the heels of an incredible remark proffered by Pope Francis in an open letter to the founder of La Repubblica; a newspaper in Rome, Italy. The Pope’s opinion (below) falsely implies that people don’t have to believe in God in order to get to Heaven.
Francis wrote:
“You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience…Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”
The fact remains that there is nothing found within the canon of Scripture that remotely suggests that faithless-ness will get you to Heaven. The Pope’s commentary brings into question what is needed to correctly interpret the Bible. While researching the matter, I discovered a post compiled by Ron Rhodes and Richard Anthony on this very issue. These men logged some specific points that aid the Bible student or teacher in properly interpreting the Bible, although I am not dogmatic about this being an exhaustive list. Be that as it may, I agree with the points they’ve raised.
#1 Dependence upon the HOLY SPIRIT
There are portions of the Bible whose meaning are clear, even to the unbeliever, while others portions require the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. Regardless, without the Holy Spirit there is a certain risk that even the simplest of passages will not be applied appropriately. We see this over and over again when non-believers attempt to quote Bible passages to bolster their particular opinions or their own personal agendas.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-1
#2 Definition
What are the definitions of the words being used in the text? Good bible interpreters define the terms and then keep to the terms they have defined, understanding that oft-times word meanings change according to the context of which they are used. It is for this very reason some texts are a challenge to interpret, resulting in disputes that have lasted thousands of years. However, often times these debates are not over critical doctrines such as salvation in Christ Jesus, but other issues that may not be relevant to the basic doctrinal truths ALL Christians must adhere to.
“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11
# 3 Usage and Context
Although the entire Bible is applicable to all people of all times, the Old Testament and New Testament were written for all mankind, but also to specific people groups at specific times. When we look at Mosaic law for example, we understand that these rules were implemented for the nation of Israel as a way for them to maintain their holiness (i.e., their set-apart-ness to and for the Lord). So while we’re not tied to them in a legal sense, adhering to them might be considered sensible.
Jesus spoke of our taking His yoke upon ourselves, so while we immediately think of the device that join two oxen together for plowing, it’s understood that yoke [here] means to be under a rabbinical teaching.
Contextually, we must examine how one bit of Scripture lines up with similar passages. We should remember ahead of our Bible studies, that God cannot lie, He will not contradict Himself, and that He is a God of order, not disorder.
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might[e] have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17-18
#4 Historical Background
It helps to know our history and the cultural realities in operation when the texts were recorded. For example, when we’re told by Jesus to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” and later on to ‘submit to the authorities’ placed over us, it helps to know that Jesus was making reference to one of the world’s most brutal dictators. Or when Jesus met with the ‘woman at the well,’ it helps us to understand how woman (even adulterous women) were regarded in the times of Jesus. In both these instances, it’s not the application of the teaching that necessarily changes, but the impact of the message.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
#5 Logic
Does the interpretation make sense? Would a reasonable person come away with the same understanding? More importantly, does the general consensus of the church, particularly those mature in the faith, agree with the interpretation, or is this something ‘new’ that no one else has stumbled upon before. Beware of those interpretations.
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
#6 Inference
An inference is a fact reasonably implied from another fact or group of facts. Jesus used this rule when He proved the resurrection of the dead to the unbelieving Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-33.
The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
#7 Literary Genres
The Bible contains parables, teachings, poetry , prophesy, and history. While all of these contain truth, not all the words expressed are to be taken literally all the time. For example, when Jesus said He was a door, He was not speaking literally, but figuratively. Having said that we do know (contextually) that Jesus was literally saying that He is the only Way, hence a ‘door’ to salvation.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
John 14:6 brings us back to where this blog started, for it unquestionably cripples the Pope’s false conclusions in the newspaper article. 
This is why it is critical that every commentary we read about Jesus and His word, every Bible lesson we’re taught, MUST BE Father-filtered. No longer can we assume, “Well, he’s the Pope,” or, “he’s a famous TV preacher, so he must know what he’s talking about.” The evil one is hoping that we will buy into anything that tickles our ears. Don’t be foolish.
For this reason you must know your Bible and for this reason Christians have been called into discipleship.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
These articles may r may not be related:
- Put That Bible Down (wumbornyi.wordpress.com)
- Scholarly Preaching (vridar.org)
- The Role of The Holy Spirit in Salvation: Part 2 (jmdansville.wordpress.com)
- Why the Bible Is Difficult to Understand (thevinevigil.wordpress.com)
- The Holy Spirit: Why should we study The Holy Spirit? (jmdansville.wordpress.com)
- The Clarity of the Bible – Part 2 (opentheism.wordpress.com)
- READING THE BIBLE – COVER TO COVER By Cecilia B. Loving (spiritmuv.wordpress.com)
- Inspired by God (graceelca.wordpress.com)
- Did Canon Close for Christians and Jews? (mymorningmeditations.com)
- Bible Reading Day 255 (cccdailybiblereading.wordpress.com)
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He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 