Lesson 1: Laying the Foundation
Why Interpretation Matters
in•ter•pre•ta•tion noun
An understanding of a particular text
her•me•neu•tic noun
The principles applied to arrive at an interpretation
the•ol•o•gy noun
One’s understanding of God and his world
Course Goal and Purposes
How do we interpret the Scriptures?
God has not been silent. He has answered that very question in the Bible. The goal of this course is to uncover God’s answer in the Scriptures—in other words, to derive our hermeneutic of the Bible from the Bible. Hence the subtitle “Seeking a biblical hermeneutic.” We aim to read the Bible as the Author intends—indeed as he demands—for it is his Book we read.
The purpose of that goal is found in the course title: “Interpretation.” We aim to learn our principles of interpretation (i.e. our hermeneutic) from the Bible so as to better understand (i.e. interpret) what God has written there, all to the glory of God in our lives.
Course aim chain:
- To learn how to read the Bible as the Bible itself demands to be read (hermeneutic),
- So as to understand each text of Scripture as God, the Author, intends (interpretation),
- So as to think about God and his world truly (theology),
- So as to live fruitful lives to God’s glory, ever-growing in our discernment, love for God, and assurance.
The Importance of Interpretation
Let’s take a closer look at the final goal in this course aim chain, and see how it requires the steps which precede it.
The Biblical Call for Interpretation
First, note that the Word of God is of value to a person only when it is understood. Only then can it begin to bear fruit in your life. In fact, not understanding it may just lead you to fulfill the life of sinful destruction that the Bible warns against! Carefully consider these texts.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. … As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. —Matthew 13:19, 23, emphasis mine
[The gospel] has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. —Colossians 1:6, emphasis mine
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning [Jesus]. —Acts 13:27, emphasis mine
The Bible demands that we interpret it. It calls us not merely to read but to understand what we read. Fruitful living flows from faithful and accurate interpretation.
In your own words, summarize the message of the above Scripture texts as they relate to the importance of understanding God’s word rightly.
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The Shame of Misinterpreting Scripture
Misinterpretation, on the other hand, is shameful. Again, consider some texts. (Don’t rush through these—it is critically important to feel the weight of this truth!)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. —2 Timothy 2:15, emphasis mine
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. —2 Peter 2:1–3, emphasis mine
Right interpretation leads to fruitful, God-honoring lives. Misinterpretation leads to shame and destruction. Many people will, in fact, be ashamed before God for not rightly handling the word of truth.
Let that sink in. We do not want to be among them! To avoid this shame, we need discernment. We need to learn how to accept or reject a commentary, sermon, or anecdote—not based on a subjective sense of what seems right to us, but by thoughtful testing (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and trained discernment (Hebrews 5:14). After all, the fact that a teacher confidently asserts something in no way makes it true, though it will convince many.
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. —1 Timothy 1:5–7
Love of God Requires Interpretation
While interpretation is not more ultimate than love (1 Corinthians 13:2), it is nonetheless integral to how we are to love God.
And one of the scribes came up and ... asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” ... And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” —Mark 12:28–34a
Interpretation and Assurance
Finally, right interpretation produces assurance because our very gospel hope is rooted in seeing Christ for who he is.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. —Colossians 2:1–3, emphasis mine
How does Colossians 2:1–3 link assurance and understanding?
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Interpretation is not ultimate, but it is critical for what is: fruitful lives of love for God, secure in Christ.