“Can’t you make the Bible say anything you want?” The “reality” I live in…Part 8

When I talk about the Bible being objective Truth, I often hear the response given in the title of this post. So let me answer “Yes, but that 'make' is the operative word. I mean, in order to do this you have to force it. And actually, using the same type of “rules,” you can make the dictionary say the very same thing!” In other words you have to violate the rules of sound interpretation! It happens a lot. I was recently grieved by a facebook post from an old friend, who has turned a Biblical “no” into a “yes!” Some of this mental gymnastics is quite skillful. I don’t say this with admiration, but rather with concern! Peter warns that those twist Scripture do so to their own destruction, and lead the ignorant and unstable down the same path (2 Peter 3:16; Matthew 18:6).

Peter also informs us that no prophecy of the Scripture is of private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). Paul councils Timothy of the need of the diligent study in order to accurately handle and skillfully teach the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Hermeneutics, the theory and methodology of correct interpretation, is a vast subject, and we need help to correctly interpret the Scriptures. We need help to even know exactly what are the original texts. There are however only minor variations, and no Orthodox teaching is threatened by any of such variation. We also need help to know which parts to take literally (i.e Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery) and which parts not (i.e. “If you don’t hate you father … you cannot be my disciple” - Luke 14:26 - it’s called hyperbole- look it up). Of course, non of this absolves us of our responsibility to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We need to listen, really listen to both sides of an argument, and we need to feel the weight of an opposing argument.

Some things, the foundational things are very clear to the unbiased mind, and the Bible is its own best interpreter. The writer to the Hebrews gives us a list of elementary foundational principles. He tells us “let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1, 2). On the other hand, Peter in the context of his warning about Scripture twisting, also tells us that there are some things that are hard to understand. James tells us that we should not be many teachers, since in many things we all fail, and that ours is the greater condemnation (James 3:1,2). We need to take these warnings seriously.

Father, Your word tells us “If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). But You also tell us “On this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My Word” (Isaiah 66:2). So I ask You morning Father, to keep me close to You. Help me to be diligent to study and to accurately handle Your Word. Keep me low this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen