Things to keep in mind - put together by Jim and his Bible Interpretation students. Distribute at will - but don't change, of course!
Here's a quick list of guidelines for interpreting your bible!
Twenty Important Principles for Interpreting Your Bible
Need an explanation? Just contact us!
1. The Principle of Literal Interpretation. Take the Scriptures literally, applying their normal meaning except when the Bible clearly indicates that symbolism is involved, or when the normal meaning of the word would contradict the text. Matthew 16:6-12 [Abuse: Never hyper literalize God's Word by making isolated statements mean what you want them to mean.]
2. The Principle of Historical-Grammatical Interpretation. Interpret Scriptures in light of their historical meaning and grammatical structure. Gal. 3:16. Keep in mind that the biblical use of the term, is the final determiner of its definition, not its secular use. [Abuse: Never fall prey to those who would infuse "ancient wisdom" - especially "ancient Jewish wisdom" - into your interpretive model in the name of historical interpretation. True history and ancient wisdom are two different animals.]
3. The Principle of Reliability. Because the Scriptures are the written word of God, the student will use extreme caution in studying both manuscripts and translations, in order to properly understand God’s message to us. 2 Timothy 3:16; Luke 4:4. [Abuse: Don't fall prey to generalizations like "the best manuscripts all say." Aberrant manuscripts are easy to recognize when compared to others. Always opt for translations which openly aspire to translating the scriptures as literally as possible.]
4. The Principle of Relation. Because the Bible is about a Person, (Jesus Christ) it is important that we seek to understand it in order to better know that Person. John 1:1; John 14:15-26. 1 Corinthians 2:13ff.
5. The Principle of Submission. The Scriptures should be studied prayerfully and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit by the regenerated believer. John 16:13. [Abuse: In our enthusiasm, we can imagine the Holy Spirit is interpreting the scriptures to us or adding new truth to our understanding. The Spirit does not reveal new truth to believers, He illuminates old truth to us.]
6. The Principle of Centrality - The Messianic Mindset. Interpret the Scriptures with a Messianic paradigm understanding the role and ministry of Messiah. Luke 24:44-48 [Abuse: Because folks piously insert messianic jargon into their teachings so as to sound authoritative, does not mean they have a deeper understanding. They often do it to create a spiritual aura about themselves.]
7. The Principle of Connectivity. The themes, arguments, and doctrines of scripture are all inter-related and descend from the Person of Scripture and His purpose. Luke 24:44-48. [Abuse: Jesus Christ is everywhere in the Word of God and all truth relates back to Him. However, we can't insist that every passage under discussion is an immediate reference to Christ.]
8. The Principle of Context. A word or a passage of Scripture should be interpreted in light of its immediate context, general context, and the broad context of the entire Scriptures. Example: Follow James 2:17; James 2:21-26; the entire doctrine of justification by faith as taught in both Testaments.
9. The Principle of Consistency. No interpretation of Scripture should contradict the whole of Scripture or be out of conformity with the character of God. Matthew 5:29. [Abuse: To assert that a doctrine is true because "this is the way God thinks, or behaves." What we are really saying is that our view of how we see God behaving is what counts.]
10. The Principle of Summation. A doctrine or theme cannot be considered Biblical unless it comprehends all that the Bible says on that subject. Matthew 22:23-33. [Abuse: While the above statement is absolutely true and reliable, all truth does not carry the same weight. Because God has revealed His word progressively, some truth takes precedence over earlier revelation. This does not mean that the earlier revelation is incorrect or has been rescinded.]
11. The Principle of Order. A proper study of Scripture requires observation, interpretation and then application, in that order. The Apostles’ sermons in Acts 2:22 ff; Acts 3:12ff; Acts 4:8ff; Acts 7:2ff; Acts 10:34ff. [Abuse: It is in our natures to do the very opposite. We call this proof-texting or spring-boarding.]
12. The Principle of Singularity. A scripture passage has only one interpretation, though we may often apply that interpretation in many situations.
13. The Principle of Self Interpretation. Whenever possible, use the Scriptures to interpret the scriptures. Example: The Apostles’ sermons in Acts 2:22 ff; Acts 3:12ff; Acts 4:8ff; Acts 7:2ff; Acts 10:34ff.
14. The Principle of Symbolism.
a. Bible symbols must be interpreted consistently with themselves. Example: If leaven is seen as sin in Matthew 16, it is likely seen as sin throughout all of the scriptures when used as a symbol. Because leaven is used as a Bible symbol does not mean that every occurrence of the word leaven has a hidden symbolic meaning.
b. Bible symbols never form the basis of a biblical doctrine by themselves. They only illustrate or illuminate revealed doctrine. Example: John 6:53 teaches that we must eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood in order to have life in us. From this symbol, the sacramentalists teach that we must partake of the Eucharist. But that is a doctrine which is extended from a symbol. Jesus has already made this symbol clear when he claims to be bread come down from heaven just as the manna came down from heaven, (6:32 ff).
Advanced: However, signs, in contrast to simple symbols or parables, may contain new information. (Rev. 1:1 – semaino). In cases where scriptures are "sign-ified" are clearly indicated in God’s Word.
15. The Principle of Objectivity. Study the Word of God for what it has to say, being careful not to impose your preconceived bias or views upon it. 2 Peter 1:20.
16. The Principle of First Authority. Let the Scriptures interpret your experience, never vice versa. 1 Samuel 15:20-24.
17. The Principle of Final Authority. The Scriptures are the final authority over reason. Matthew 12:1-7
18. The Principle of Singular Authority. The study of Church history and the decisions of earlier believers may be helpful, but cannot determine or override Bible truth. 2 Peter 1:20.
19. The Principle of Personal Priesthood. Every believer is responsible and accountable to interpret the Scriptures for himself. 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 12:3-5; Matthew 19:4, 22:31; Mark 12:10;
20. The Principle of Precedence. Biblical examples are not incumbent upon us unless they are accompanied by biblical instructions to follow those examples. Acts 1:23-26
Need an explanation? Just contact us!
1. The Principle of Literal Interpretation. Take the Scriptures literally, applying their normal meaning except when the Bible clearly indicates that symbolism is involved, or when the normal meaning of the word would contradict the text. Matthew 16:6-12 [Abuse: Never hyper literalize God's Word by making isolated statements mean what you want them to mean.]
2. The Principle of Historical-Grammatical Interpretation. Interpret Scriptures in light of their historical meaning and grammatical structure. Gal. 3:16. Keep in mind that the biblical use of the term, is the final determiner of its definition, not its secular use. [Abuse: Never fall prey to those who would infuse "ancient wisdom" - especially "ancient Jewish wisdom" - into your interpretive model in the name of historical interpretation. True history and ancient wisdom are two different animals.]
3. The Principle of Reliability. Because the Scriptures are the written word of God, the student will use extreme caution in studying both manuscripts and translations, in order to properly understand God’s message to us. 2 Timothy 3:16; Luke 4:4. [Abuse: Don't fall prey to generalizations like "the best manuscripts all say." Aberrant manuscripts are easy to recognize when compared to others. Always opt for translations which openly aspire to translating the scriptures as literally as possible.]
4. The Principle of Relation. Because the Bible is about a Person, (Jesus Christ) it is important that we seek to understand it in order to better know that Person. John 1:1; John 14:15-26. 1 Corinthians 2:13ff.
5. The Principle of Submission. The Scriptures should be studied prayerfully and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit by the regenerated believer. John 16:13. [Abuse: In our enthusiasm, we can imagine the Holy Spirit is interpreting the scriptures to us or adding new truth to our understanding. The Spirit does not reveal new truth to believers, He illuminates old truth to us.]
6. The Principle of Centrality - The Messianic Mindset. Interpret the Scriptures with a Messianic paradigm understanding the role and ministry of Messiah. Luke 24:44-48 [Abuse: Because folks piously insert messianic jargon into their teachings so as to sound authoritative, does not mean they have a deeper understanding. They often do it to create a spiritual aura about themselves.]
7. The Principle of Connectivity. The themes, arguments, and doctrines of scripture are all inter-related and descend from the Person of Scripture and His purpose. Luke 24:44-48. [Abuse: Jesus Christ is everywhere in the Word of God and all truth relates back to Him. However, we can't insist that every passage under discussion is an immediate reference to Christ.]
8. The Principle of Context. A word or a passage of Scripture should be interpreted in light of its immediate context, general context, and the broad context of the entire Scriptures. Example: Follow James 2:17; James 2:21-26; the entire doctrine of justification by faith as taught in both Testaments.
9. The Principle of Consistency. No interpretation of Scripture should contradict the whole of Scripture or be out of conformity with the character of God. Matthew 5:29. [Abuse: To assert that a doctrine is true because "this is the way God thinks, or behaves." What we are really saying is that our view of how we see God behaving is what counts.]
10. The Principle of Summation. A doctrine or theme cannot be considered Biblical unless it comprehends all that the Bible says on that subject. Matthew 22:23-33. [Abuse: While the above statement is absolutely true and reliable, all truth does not carry the same weight. Because God has revealed His word progressively, some truth takes precedence over earlier revelation. This does not mean that the earlier revelation is incorrect or has been rescinded.]
11. The Principle of Order. A proper study of Scripture requires observation, interpretation and then application, in that order. The Apostles’ sermons in Acts 2:22 ff; Acts 3:12ff; Acts 4:8ff; Acts 7:2ff; Acts 10:34ff. [Abuse: It is in our natures to do the very opposite. We call this proof-texting or spring-boarding.]
12. The Principle of Singularity. A scripture passage has only one interpretation, though we may often apply that interpretation in many situations.
13. The Principle of Self Interpretation. Whenever possible, use the Scriptures to interpret the scriptures. Example: The Apostles’ sermons in Acts 2:22 ff; Acts 3:12ff; Acts 4:8ff; Acts 7:2ff; Acts 10:34ff.
14. The Principle of Symbolism.
a. Bible symbols must be interpreted consistently with themselves. Example: If leaven is seen as sin in Matthew 16, it is likely seen as sin throughout all of the scriptures when used as a symbol. Because leaven is used as a Bible symbol does not mean that every occurrence of the word leaven has a hidden symbolic meaning.
b. Bible symbols never form the basis of a biblical doctrine by themselves. They only illustrate or illuminate revealed doctrine. Example: John 6:53 teaches that we must eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood in order to have life in us. From this symbol, the sacramentalists teach that we must partake of the Eucharist. But that is a doctrine which is extended from a symbol. Jesus has already made this symbol clear when he claims to be bread come down from heaven just as the manna came down from heaven, (6:32 ff).
Advanced: However, signs, in contrast to simple symbols or parables, may contain new information. (Rev. 1:1 – semaino). In cases where scriptures are "sign-ified" are clearly indicated in God’s Word.
15. The Principle of Objectivity. Study the Word of God for what it has to say, being careful not to impose your preconceived bias or views upon it. 2 Peter 1:20.
16. The Principle of First Authority. Let the Scriptures interpret your experience, never vice versa. 1 Samuel 15:20-24.
17. The Principle of Final Authority. The Scriptures are the final authority over reason. Matthew 12:1-7
18. The Principle of Singular Authority. The study of Church history and the decisions of earlier believers may be helpful, but cannot determine or override Bible truth. 2 Peter 1:20.
19. The Principle of Personal Priesthood. Every believer is responsible and accountable to interpret the Scriptures for himself. 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 12:3-5; Matthew 19:4, 22:31; Mark 12:10;
20. The Principle of Precedence. Biblical examples are not incumbent upon us unless they are accompanied by biblical instructions to follow those examples. Acts 1:23-26