On The Sense Of Scripture
The most simple sense of interpreting the Scriptures is always that which is the genuine meaning. There are various passages where two senses may present themself to the reader. In these cases we are to be extremely careful not to do any alterations or damage to the words, the scope, or the subject matter of the Bible.
When we come across these verses we must consider the different arguments for and against each meaning and carefully discuss them. In so doing, we must stay with the understanding that is supported by the most numerous, important, consequential, influential and most probable. This must always be preferred as being the truer sense.
The foundations and virtues of Christianity are laid in the mind and hearts of every individual. There are the secret dispositions and acts that are invisible, known only to that person. There is the power and operations of that particular persons mind that can only be expressed in ideas and thought in figurative terms and external symbols.
Figurative terms and external symbols are when words are taken metaphorically and figuratively, that is, they are diverted to a meaning which they do not naturally mean, but which they nevertheless intend under some figure or form of speech. Example,
When hardness is applied to stone, the expression is used literally, in its proper and natural meaning. But when applied to the heart of men, it is used figuratively, or in an improper way, yet acceptable and approved.
The sense allows for the change of subject, is virtually the same, and its application being transferred from the physical to the moral. Other examples can be found in,
Luke 13:32, Jesus said, "To ye, and tell that fox (meaning Herod) --." This for Herod's craftiness and cruelty, He is called a fox.
John 1:29, "John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The Saviour of the world is called the Lamb of God because of His atoning sacrifice for the sins for the world, as was a lamb that was offered by the Jews under Jewish law every morning and evening. This being the typical meaning.
John 15:5, Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:"
Jesus is called the vine and Believers are designated as the branches. This to imply that Christ is the support of the church and to each and every believer. The saved are grafted into Christ, as one branch is grafted into another, united to Him by faith and love and each individual receives and obtains spiritual life, strength and energy from Him.
Yet their are those who violate these established rules. They call themselves teachers, giving to themselves other various titles. Those not keeping a good watch, the gullible, the unprepared, cannot defend themselves against these false teachers.
Many have neglected to put up safeguards in order to avoid the wiles, the enticements, or even the celebrity of these deluded disciples of darkness. They claim there is no such thing as Divine revelation in any sense attached to the words of Scripture, or from what Christians teach.
Treacherous, misleading teachers claim that the miracles recorded in the Scriptures are merely natural occurrences, exaggerated and embellished by those who have had any relationship or connection with the person who performed them.
These are anti-supernaturalists. According to them the doctrines of the Bible consist either of the precepts of nature clothed in obscure expressions, or of absolutely false doctrines invented by the writers of the Scriptures. They assert that these who wrote the Scriptures were subject to error like all men are, and were deprived of the knowledge which constituted the glory of their age then, and our age now.
They falsely teach that the fall of mankind through the sin of Adam is merely a myth or some philosophical fable or tale, and the Gospel is nothing but mythology.
Interpreters have rendered in their own language the discourses which the pen-men of the Scriptures originally wrote in both the Hebrew and Greek language. The Bible that is used to study must be a well recognized interpretation such as the King James Version. This version does not affirm or denying in any way the sense that was originally intended.
I cannot over emphases the above, for if we do, we shall be guilty of,
Mark 7:7, "Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
The guilty will have imposed a narrow and limited understanding on the Scriptures instead of the broad and general declarations.
Throughout history, forced and unnatural interpretations have been put upon the Scriptures. Interpretations contradictory to the expressed meaning of various passages as well as derogatory writings. These abound, infecting every idea Christians have been taught concerning the justice and mercy of God.
Lets take a well know verse as an example.
John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
We have heard this verse many times and seen many slogans written concerning them. There is a plain, obvious and literal sense to this passage as well as the context which is;
The whole of mankind, including Jew and Gentile without exception are in a physical, moral, economic and social collapse. We are about to perish forever and totally without exception having no power to save ourselves.
But now, the Father in heaven has provided for us a rescue and salvation plan given to us through His glorious Son who was to die for us. Both Jew or Gentile, believers in Jesus Christ who have faith that the Father has spoken in truth concerning His Son and His sacrifice for the end which the sacrifice was offered.
Considered also is the way God has determined that it be applied in order to be effectual; and all who believe shall be exempt from the lake of fire where the fire shall not be quenched and the worm (man) shall not die. All who receive this gift with God's grace shall have eternal life and brought into eternal glory.
But there are those false teachers whose narrow and restricted teachings adopt the hypothesis the Jesus Christ was given and sent for the elect alone. If this were true, how could the Father who is said to love the world ever deny the means of salvation and decrees by an irrevocable edict, that being, "eternal torment?"
And how can those who reject the Saviour in this life ever be promised eternal salvation?
What irreconcilable damage are these expositors compelled to do to the various passages in question, this in order to reconcile it to their preconceived ideas!
They take the word "World," and interpret it by a synecdoche, meaning a figure or trope on which the whole of a thing is put for a part. In this they claim that only the elect, the nobler part of mankind is called to Christ's saving grace.
They fail to call into evidence those many other parallel passages of Scriptures that aid in producing the truth affirmed in the word.
We can find a similar instance in,
Matt.18:11, "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." The meaning of the words is not restricted by the Holy Spirit, and must be taken in its most obvious and universal sense.
The warning,
Deut.27:26, "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them."
Isa.64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
The sense of the Scriptures should not in any way be repugnant to our natural reasoning. If it is, it cannot be true. God is the author of natural truth, as well as that which comes by revelation.
Fundamental principles of reason, in conflict with false and contrary reason can no more be in union together, than God who is the author, contradict himself.
Thank you,
Phil LaSoino www.seekfirstwisdom.com