How to Interpret the Bible
Having a Bible in every room, and in my office, and even in my car, is normal for me. But you also need to know how to read the bible, and understand the Bible. Today I will give one way of learning to understanding the Bible. Later another method.
How many times have you heard someone say regarding the Bible, "Everyone has their own interpretation" or "That's your interpretation, not mine." Little do they realize that such comments are in direct conflict with what the Bible says about itself:
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20,21
What most people do not realize is that over the past 2500 years, specialists in the "science of meanings" have developed eight basic rules of grammatical interpretation, which provide a standard set of rules for consistent interpretation of literature. They apply equally to legislative and theological language. They are the basis of all critical analysis and are used by interpretive scholarship. When properly used, they insure that the reader will always derive the precise meaning intended by the original writer.
The 8 Rules for Grammatical Interpretation
1. The Rule of Definition: Words have definite meanings which are to be taken in their literal or idiomatic force, and the grammatical setting. Meaning is not be determined by each individual interpreter. The interpreter should conscientiously abide by the plain meaning of the words.
2. The Rule of Usage: Words and phrases have usages which are affected by cultural, traditional, national, social considerations. Authors write to a specific audience in the usual custom and vernacular of that audience. Interpreters are not to insert their own notions upon the literature, but rather to seek understanding of the usage that existed when the literature was written.
3. The Rule of Context: The meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph must be derived from the context. Many words and phrases derive their meaning and force from the connection in which it stands. Therefore there must be a careful consideration of that which comes before and after.
4. The Rule of Historical Background: The historical background, including the manner and customs of the day enables the interpreter to understand what circumstances and events influenced the thinking of the author. The writing was for real people, in real situations, in the real world. The interpreter must pay close attention to these facts as they cast light on the understanding of the literature.
5. The Rule of Logic: Interpretation is merely logical reasoning. Literature should be interpreted by a rigid application of the laws of language and grammatical analysis.
6. The Rule of Precedent: Precedent is something previously done or said that serves as a guide for future rule or example. Words and phrases which have a known usage should be interpreted in that historical and grammatical context.
7. The Rule of Unity: Documents are written as a whole. Interpretation of any of its parts, must be done with consideration to consistency with the whole.
8. The Rule of Inference: Inference is a fact reasonably implied from another fact. It is a logical consequence, a conclusion drawn from a given fact or premise, a conclusion drawn from evidence. Interpretive conclusions, regarding things not specifically stated, are allowable if they are logically consistent with the other rules of interpretation.
5 things of Which to Beware:
1. Beware of . . . Fanciful, complex, unique, novel interpretations which were not available to the hearers/readers of the day.2. Beware of . . . Eisegesis: An interpretation that expresses the interpreter's own ideas, bias, or the like, rather than the meaning of the text.
3. Beware of . . . Basing an entire doctrine or concept on one passage.
4. Beware of . . . Not interpreting a text literally, as much as possible. The only exception is when the meaning is obviously allegorical, metaphorical or figurative.
5. Beware of . . . Any new insight or interpretation that is not consistent with the rest of scripture.
There is a simple poem which has served many well as a simple guide for Bible interpretation:
If the literal sense,
Makes good sense,
Seek no other sense,
Lest you end up with non-sense!
Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant 12 08 06
