The importance of believing in true things, as opposed to untrue things, cannot be understated. Belief in that which is opposite to truth – lies – carries with it consequences which can be as severe as eternal damnation (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Those who participate in the wresting of the scriptures – forcing them to mean something they don’t – are as damned as those who believe the false theology they invent (2 Peter 3:16).
How do we arrive at Bible truth? Learned theologians often prioritise secondary sources over a plain reading of the Bible. Lexicons, history books, church fathers, and church tradition are often appealed to as arguments for a certain interpretation of a biblical text. While these tools are useful and interesting, the word of God alone should be our guide and stay, not the words of learned, but fallible men (Prov 3:5).
The Bible gives clear principles for its interpretation:
- The interpretation of God’s word is not private (secret, esoteric, restricted by class).
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
2Peter 1:20
Lexicons, dictionaries, history books, the church fathers, all are not sufficient in themselves to provide an understanding of God’s word. During the dark ages in England, when the Bible was only available in Latin, common people had to learn from the priests what the word of God said. Because of this, the Catholic church had a stranglehold on Christian doctrine. The Bible could say whatever they privately interpreted it to say. Now that God has given us the Bible in virtually every language in the world, no one has to place their trust in the private interpretations of priests, or linguists, historians, church fathers, or traditional church teachings as to what the Bible says. The Bible is its own expositor, with no requirement to successfully probe its depths, other than a moderate level of literacy.
- Compare scripture with scripture.
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
Isaiah 28:10
The biblical manner of interpretation is simply comparing thought with thought, passage with passage. Gather all the scriptures related to a subject and compare them.
“The Bible is its own expositor. One passage will prove to be a key that will unlock other passages, and in this way light will be shed upon the hidden meaning of the word. By comparing different texts treating on the same subject, viewing their bearing on every side, the true meaning of the Scriptures will be made evident.”
Christian Education, pg. 85
- No single scripture is to be ignored or set aside.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 4:2
An incorrect method of determining the truth of the Bible is so called “weight of evidence.” Truth is not determined by a majority in science or politics, neither is it a valid method in hermeneutics. Every verse is to be allowed to give weight to the interpretation, none are to be cast aside or ignored.
“Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible.”
Review and Herald, November 25, 1884.
- Our interpretation to be tested by the testimonies, not to supersede them.
A key attribute of the church of God in the last days is that it has the gift of prophecy (Revelation 12:17, 19:10). In the Old Testament, God spoke to the fathers through the prophets.
“For the prophecy came not in old time5 by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
2Peter 1:21
The Bible tells us this same gift – a mechanism for the edification and purification of God’s people – is ‘set’, or placed, in the church. It is not a temporary gift that God supplies on few occasions, but a gift that is established in God’s people and continually provides correction and admonition to them.
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
1Corinthians 12:28
Unfortunately, God’s people have a history of refusing to listen to the plain words of the prophets. We think we are any different from the people of God who came before us, who were susceptible to rejecting the words of the prophets in favour of their own opinions and traditions.
“And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.“
Jeremiah 25:4
The Holy Spirit, through the words of the prophets, guides us into truth. If we reject the exhortation of a prophet, we are rejecting the exhortation of the Holy Spirit. If we reject the Holy Spirit, we reject the truth. If we reject truth, we reject life and salvation. This is why the Bible warns us, not only of accepting the lies of false prophets, but of rejecting the truth given by true prophets.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Proverbs 29:18
While the writings of Ellen White are not to take the place of scripture, they are the testimony of Jesus Christ, and are to be given as much respect. The testimonies are given to guide us in our interpretation of the Bible. Our interpretation must be subject to them.
“The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow.”
Testimonies to the Church, Volume 2, pg. 455
The testimonies are not given to supplant the Bible. We must understand the purpose of the visions in the last days is to comfort and correct God’s people. They are not to be used to contradict the Bible, nor are they to be set aside with indifference.
“I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the “last days”; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth. Thus God dealt with Peter when He was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 10.).
Early Writings, pg. 78
The correct way to use the testimonies of the prophets is not to search through them for quotes that support our ideas, but rather to form our ideas from the Bible, and then search the testimonies for additional guidance and, if necessary, correction. HMS Richards Sr. spoke to Ellen White and asked her advice on how to use her writings. She reportedly replied:
“First, ask God to give you your subject. When you have the subject chosen, then go to the Bible until you know for sure what the Bible really teaches on that point. After that, turn to the writings and see what you can find on the same subject and read that. It may cast light on it or guide you into other scriptures or make some point clearer.“
Ministry Magazine, October, 1976, pg. 6
- Humility, the most important attribute of the Bible student.
If we are not thirsty, will we desire to drink water? If we believe our cup is already full, will we allow God to add to it? The evil of being resistant to new light – to development of our understanding of the word of God – is the damnable trait of the Laodiceans and all lukewarm Christians.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:17
Paul warned against the delusion of thinking we know any thing as we ought – to the fullest extent as is possible – to know it.
“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”
1Corinthians 8:2
Once we come to the position that we know all there is to know, that our current understanding on a subject is beyond correction or alteration, we undermine our entire system of belief, and none of our positions or interpretations of scripture can be trusted because we lack that very attribute that would grant us the capacity to learn and understand. This undermining of our ability to rightly interpret and understand the word of God has to most severe consequences – the damnation of our souls.
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3
How can we avoid this pernicious mindset, and allow the word of God to guide us, to teach us, and direct us into the pure truth? We must simply surrender our will to the will of God. Allow our wisdom to become foolishness – to give no credence to what we think we know, and to give all credence to what the Bible plainly says.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.”
John 7:17
The most important rule of all is humility because without it, our own wisdom, our own ability to interpret the Bible, our understanding of Hebrew, Greek, History or humanity is made nothing. The man who trusts in his own knowledge, is trusting in himself – placing his trust in the arm of weak, fallible, erring flesh. Such a condition will never allow us obtain a salvational understanding of truth. The fundamental prerequisite of Bible interpretation is a willingness to allow the Bible to teach us, in spite of all previous understandings and preconceived ideas as to what pertains to truth.