Litmus Tests for Biblical Interpretation

NOTE: When you see (MMM) as a biblical reference, it means I know there are passages supporting or illustrating the point, but I haven’t stopped to find them. Please blog any passages you might cite. Thanks.


The idea of biblical “interpretation” is wrong by its very nature.

Our first task is not to determine what a passage “means to us,” which is how so many approach Scripture. Our initial goal is to understand what the original author had in his mind when he wrote. Once we understand that, then our task is to determine how that information impacts us in our circumstances and in this culture. Interpretation takes place then.

Our goal is to do what God wants. We can’t know what that is until we have in our minds when we’re thorough investigating what the inspired writers had in theirs when they wrote.

Understand.

Then interpret and apply.

With that in mind, let’s consider some quick litmus tests to help readers better understand and interpret Scripture.

Scripture’s Main Theme
Jesus Christ, and through him God’s offer of salvation, is Scripture’s central theme, beginning with God’s curse in Genesis (Genesis 3:13-15) and ending with Revelation’s end-times events.

The Bible presents the sin problem which mankind brought on itself and God’s plan to save mankind from its death-dealing consequences (Note: John 17:20-26). God could not offer mankind the hope of salvation unless Jesus Christ was both fully man, the Second Adam (MMM, Note: I John 4:1-3), and fully God (MMM). Interpretations inconsistent with this are likely incorrect.

Three other recurring themes dominate the New Testament. They are truth, love, and transformation. Interpretations inconsistent with them are also likely to be incorrect.

Truth
Since God is truth and the Holy Bible claims to be the Word of Truth (MMM), God’s Word, the nature of truth itself becomes the key that unlocks Scripture.

Truth is always consistent with itself. As a result, any understanding of Scripture has to be entirely consistent with all the face-value (obvious) assertions made elsewhere in Scripture, especially in the New Testament since it deals with the God’s New Covenant under which was all mankind lives today.

Any interpretation of Scripture that is at odds with the plain assertions of the New Testament is likely to be wrong.

Love
Christian love seeks the best for the other person. You can see that in action when you read about Christ’s ministry and Paul’s reasoning behind his priorities in ministry. You also can see it in God’s instructions to believers. He seeks their best long-term interests.

When a believer obeys God’s instructions, that obedience will guide the believer away from behaviors that will harm him and toward behaviors that will help him be safe. That’s true love, looking out for another’s safety. That illustrates God’s love for us. What first looks like oppressive, fun-killing demands are actually God’s loving guidelines to help us enjoy more satisfying and peaceful lives.

The earlier in life a person begins following God’s lead, the less garbage they have to deal with later on, the greater their life potential. That’s why working with kids is so important. The earlier we can help them on the safe path the better.

This love is also reciprocal because Scripture identifies man’s obedience to God as his love for Him (II John 6; I John 5:2-21 key verse 3-4). By the same token, the New Testament teaches that our love for others seeks the best for them (Acts 2:43-46; I John3:16-20. Note: I John 4:7-21). Love among Christians implies an attitude of humble servanthood among them (MMM).

Any application of a Bible interpretation that results in harm to another is likely wrong.

Transformation
The biblical term for this transformation is sanctification. It is the process of moving from thinking like the world to thinking like God.

Paul talks about it in Romans 12:1-2. It’s a lifelong process, and the direction in which one moves (toward or away from Christ, Note: James 4:7-8) is a test. Any interpretation that does not support the importance of growing in Christ is likely to be wrong.

Many New Testament passages talk about “being saved.” Salvation has a specific beginning, a point in time from our perspective before which one is not saved and after which they are. But the New Testament also treats salvation as a process (MMM).

The trials and troubles we face play a role in that, testing for us the validity of our salvation, our ongoing relationship with Christ. Our salvation becomes sure at the judgment when it actually takes place. Up until then, our ultimate salvation is only a hope and a goal.

NOTE: A person can know they are saved because of (1) what Christ did on the cross, (2) what they did in response to Christ’s sacrifice, and (3) what they are doing now, doing their level best to obey God’s instructions and persevering in the process.

NOTE: Salvation and the issues surrounding it are controversial among Christians because it is, after all, the point of this life, why God made the Creation this way. Before salvation we belonged to Satan. By accepting God’s salvation offer, we reject Satan and all he stands for, overtly becoming his enemy. That’s why I suspect Satan gets involved in salvation. Satan muddies the water and raises the emotional level, not wanting folks to be legally correct before the Lord. Salvation is on my list of things for us to discuss. Stay tuned.

Chucky Baby’s First Law
This was the first litmus test I offered years ago when I was doing Bible study workshops: “Any interpretation of Scripture that flies in the face of the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), the New Commandment (John 13:34), or the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is likely to be wrong.”

WARNING: All of the tests above are questionable by the extent to which their application invites investigators to arrive at conclusions inconsistent with the plain assertions of Scripture. I offer them here as useful guidelines, especially for folks just getting serious about Bible study. Except for the role of Christ, none of these tests are directly taught in Scripture. They are conclusions to which I have come based upon what is directly taught in Scripture. As you study, be a Berean (Acts 17:11), check them out for yourself.