Historical Interpretation of Scripture:
The Bible is a collection of writings coming from various places, life styles, and the distant past. We read of the historical, the partly didactic, (intended to instruct and teach) and the prophetic. Each writing teaches throughout the Scriptures of the relationship of God to man.
Concerning historical interpretation, readers must understand that they are to give the author’s words the sense which they had been given by God in the times they lived; understanding the time period and the knowledge which the authors possessed. Also to be taken into consideration is the communion each writer had with God, and the religious and civil rites, or customs each author practiced within their community of people.
When we begin an investigation of the historical interpretation of the Bible, we may apply the following:
The books of the Old and New Testament are to be constantly and carefully read and considered by those who seek the truth written within. As readers begin to collect the expressions used by each writer, they should be able to to understand the harmony which the passages reveal on the same topics.
Some critics, teachers and scholars, assert that in the interpretation of the Old Testament all references to the New Testament should not be sought or included in the investigation of the Old. The problem with this thinking is that unless we consult the New Testament, there are passages in the Old Testament whose meaning cannot be fully understood. For example, in,
Genesis 1:26, “God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” “Made in the image of God.”
This was the state of man in that primeval state of spotless innocence, a condition before the corruption and the fall. Because this spotless condition has been forfeited by sin in this ancient time, how then can we get any insight as to what is truly meant? Also what and who can we compare the first Adam to before the fall?
Let’s move forward into the New Testament, as we are rightfully expected, and directed to do. What we are looking for is a person who is without spot and without blemish. Our example is to be found in the person of Jesus Christ. Upon a full investigation of Jesus, we will have a more correct understanding of the Divine image given to Adam before the fall.
The understanding will be seen in Jesus’s righteousness, holiness, love and knowledge of His Father.
Ephesians 4:24, “that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Renewed in the spirit of our mind, here is an allusion to the original creation of Adam. God was man’s model in the spirit of His mind. Righteousness and true holiness, one illustrates the other, for they refer to the same thing.
Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.”
Renewed in knowledge, the Christian knowledge reveals the Creator, the author of life. Some will say that God has revealed Himself to us in this Christian dispensation. How then can we know who or what we are unless we have someone, or something to which to compare ourselves?
Only in the light of Jesus Christ can our true original identity be revealed. God is the maker and artist, and we are the portrait. God is the original, and from Him is the copy taken.
Now we can better understand that the Old and the New Testament work well together because they instruct, and teach. Incomplete information in one area is completed for our instruction in another. Hope you enjoyed this.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com