Ben Waaraniemi | The Voice of Zion November 2024 - Doctrine and Life Article --
This writing is based on a presentation kept at an October 1 meeting of Minnesota congregation boards and ministers.
It has been a familiar theme in the life of believers since the Reformation that the Bible is the highest authority for faith and life. It is worthwhile to pause and consider this matter again. What does this mean in our modern world? How do we as individual believers read and interpret the Bible? How does it still provide an unfailing guide thousands of years since its writing and since the oldest texts were being passed down orally from generation to generation? All these questions are best answered with the Bible itself.
Our understanding of and relationship to the Bible is based on what the Bible itself says. Peter writes: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:20) When Peter writes “Knowing this first…” we can see this is a foundational text in understanding what the scriptures are. We “know this first” that the Bible is inspired by God, it is His revelation to humankind. This can only be grasped by faith. One can have great respect for the wisdom and authority of the Bible, but without accepting that it is God’s message and revelation, it cannot profit it us unto salvation.
Paul also writes to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Paul confirms and supports what Peter teaches and also adds that the Bible is our source of Christian doctrine (teaching). This confirms the reformation principle that all teaching is to be examined and evaluated in the light of the Bible.
When we read any text or writing we may have different understandings based on our own experiences and knowledge. What is the place of reason in understanding the Bible and how do we resolve the differing perspectives and individual understandings that can arise between believers? At the time of the Reformation these questions were also considered. The confessional writings show that because understanding is given by God, humans can in some small way see and know the good works of God. As human reason was also corrupted by the fall, it is insufficient to know God fully. Still, reason and understanding are tools to understanding the Bible. The Holy Spirit “opens the understanding and heart to understand the Scriptures” (Formula of Concord). Reason must be subject to and serve faith, not the other way around.
Shortly before his death Jesus promised his own: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). From this we can trust that the Holy Spirit is the key that opens the Bible in the congregation. We do not rely on our own interpretation but instead find it good to study the Bible in the care of the congregation. From Peter’s and Paul’s teaching on scriptures divine “inspiration,” we trust that the Holy Spirit still works in the mouths of teachers and preachers, and in the hearts and minds of the hearers. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
When reading and studying the Bible it is good to keep principles of interpretation in mind. Lutheran principles of interpretation are based on the teachings of our forefather in faith, Martin Luther, and more importantly are in accordance with the scriptures themselves.
The first principle is that the Bible should be interpreted according to its central message, salvation in Jesus Christ. This helps to define what is central to our faith. The second principle is that the Bible is explained with the Bible. Individual verses and portions are placed in context using other teachings in the Bible. With the foundational understanding that it is God’s Word and revelation, we interpret portions that can seem contradictory in this light. An example of this is Paul’s instruction on righteousness of faith (Rom. 3:21–31) and James’ teaching on works effected by faith (James 2:14–26). They should not be seen as battling each other, but instead standing back-to-back, battling against different errors defending the truth of God’s Word.
The third principle is that the Bible is a spiritual book, and correct understanding of it requires faith. Only by faith can we accept the that the Bible is God’s Word. With acceptance of this, we then desire to be obedient to God’s Word in everyday life. The fourth principle is that the Bible belongs to all Christians. No one person has been given the wisdom and authority to wholly understand and interpret the Bible. The truth of God’s Word is opened when we read, hear and study together. From this principle we also see that God’s Word and His congregation belong together. God’s congregation is where the Holy Spirit opens God’s Word, and where His children willingly and obediently hear it. The final principle is the separation of the law and the gospel. God’s revelation in the Bible contains God’s will (the law) and the message of God’s saving works (the gospel). The law shows people their sinfulness and need of grace, and the gospel delivers the sinner to Christ and frees them from sin.
When studying the Bible it is important to keep Paul’s instruction to Timothy in mind: “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20,21). The gift of faith and the correct understanding of the Bible is a treasure placed in our care or that has been “committed to thy trust.” We endeavor to be obedient to God’s Word and not twist it to suit our preferences. The writer to the Hebrews also exhorts us to remember the “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. This is understood to be those former saints who were victorious through faith (Heb. 11–12). It is good to ask: is my faith in accord with the former saints? Will they “witness” on my behalf?
Paul also warns to “Avoid the irrelevant babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have swerved from the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20,21, ESV). In our time, the authority of the Bible is diminished by many. This may be due to what are seen as inconsistencies or inaccuracies based on modern understanding from human knowledge and discovery. We can also err by trying to make the Bible into something it is not, i.e., a textbook of history or science and defending it on these grounds. These are the types of discussions and debates that we can be drawn into and “swerve from the faith.” It is good to remember our foundational understanding of what the Bible is: God’s revelation to us and everything He has seen necessary to include for our salvation. It is not a book of facts, but a book of truth. That the Bible contains perspectives and worldviews that reflect the understanding of the natural world at the time of its human writers does not diminish its authority or the greatness of the treasure God has given us.
The Bible is a book that we cannot ever master. Though we would spend a lifetime devoted to study, it opens to us according to the measure given by God. It yet provides us comfort and encouragement to those who still wish to hear. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things…and the God of Peace shall be with you” (Phil. 4:8,9).
Discussion questions:
What may get in the way of our reading and studying the Bible?
How do we approach portions of Scripture that we don’t understand?
Share of an experience in reading or hearing God’s Word when you felt the Word especially opened to you?
What Bible texts are especially dear to you?
Sources:
Holy Bible, King James Version. (n.d.).
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2001). Crossway.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.
Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000.
Palola, Ari-Pekka, ed. Christ is the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever. LLC, 2022.