Ten Questions that are Transforming

Christian Faith

How Can We Interpret the Bible?

Last week we argued for a more comprehensive, complete reading and understanding of the Bible. Do we read whole books, whole sections, whole testaments, and the whole of the Scriptures? Only when we read at all “focal lengths” can we have a balanced understanding of the meaning of the Bible for our own lives.

Just as important is how Christians interpret the Bible

The Bible and the African Slave Trade

The Euro-American trade in African slaves lasted about four hundred and fifty years, involved 11.5 million Africans, the greatest number of whom ended up in Brazil, and is today completely abandoned and discredited.

During the time of slavery in the United States, hundreds of writers defended the practice in learned books and in pro-slavery novels.

Pro-slavery literature was typically defended on biblical grounds. Presbyterians were the most prolific of the pro-slavery literature, accounting for 30% of the books written. Episcopalians accounted for 20%; and Baptists for 17%.

In Ebenezer Willis Warren’s novel, Nellie Norton (1864) a pro-slavery argument was woven into a fictional story line. This novel was one of many pro-slavery responses to abolitionist literature such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

A catalog of quotes from protagonists in the novel:

“The Bible is a pro-slavery Bible, and God is a pro-slavery God.”

“The North must give up the Bible and religion, or adopt our views of slavery.”

“Slavery is right, and its enforcement is according to the Scripture.”

“Slavery is taught in the Bible, and instituted in heaven.”

“God has ordained slavery.”

“Slavery was made perpetual by the positive enactment of heaven.”

“There cannot be found…in the Bible a single injunction to slave-holders to liberate those held by them in bondage.”

“To speak against slavery is to abominate the law of God, and the sentiments inculcated by his holy prophets and apostles.”

“A slave cannot sunder bonds which bind him to his earthly master, without breaking those which unite him morally to his Redeemer.”

44As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. 46You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness. –Lev. 25.44-46

44As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. 46You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness. –Lev. 25.44-46

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; 6not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, 8knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.—Ephesians 6.5-8

Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to answer back, 10not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Saviour.—Titus 2.9-10

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, 24since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.—Colossians 3.22-24

The use of the scriptures in the above manner is habitual and conventional.

Does the line of thinking found in pro-slavery literature bear a resemblance to anything that you’ve heard argued in your own experience?

Mean people usually find a mean God in the Bible, and superficial people usually find a superficial God. Comfortable, powerful people usually find that the Bible supports social and political conservatism; poor, exploited people usually find that it supports social and political reform or revolution.

What is to keep us from simply using the Bible to give authority to our own religious, social, political, and economic prejudices?

Many Christians habitually read the Many Christians habitually read the Bible as if it were a constitution--the Bible as if it were a constitution--the charter of a nation designed to guide a charter of a nation designed to guide a people’s life together.people’s life together.

The problem is that the expectations which we bring to a constitution and what is appropriate of the Bible are different. First of all, the Bible doesn’t change, the constitution can be changed and amended. A constitution is not internally inconsistent while the Bible is much more messy and lengthy.

Christians should consider discarding the constitution paradigm for reading the Bible and consider the Bible a library of a culture and community.

Six Principles for Interpreting the Bible

1. Scripture is to be interpreted in light of its own purpose.

We read the Bible rightly when we read it to learn who God is and how we may live faithfully in God’s presence. We do not read it properly as a textbook of science or as an instruction manual for life. Our comments last week about reading the entire Bible as a story of God’s mission to the world apply here. Each verse and chapter is embedded in the story of God’s mission to the world.

2. Scripture interprets itself.

When we encounter passages that are difficult, we can look at other passages to throw a different light or more light on the question at hand. Ultimately, we must listen to the total witness of the Bible. We must forever ask “Is this what the entire Bible says, or have we picked only passages that support our own ideas.”

3. The christological principle

Jesus is the clearest revelation of who God is and what God promises and wills. When we encounter apparent tensions and conflicts in what Scripture says, the final appeal must be to the authority of Christ.

4. The rule of faith

We need to listen with respect to fellow believers past and present, and we can anticipate that the Holy Spirit will enable us to interpret faithfully God’s Word for our time and place. In our time we have learned the importance of listening also to fellow Chfistians, past and present, who are different from us in gender, race, class, cultural background, and national origin.

5. The rule of love

The fundamental expression of God’s will is the twofold commandment to love God and neighbor. Any interpretation of scripture is wrong that shows indifference toward or contempt for any individual or group inside or outside the Church.

6. The study of scripture in its literary and historical context.

Given by God, the Bible is nevertheless the words of people. The human element must be a factor in our understanding of any passage. The human element entails views of life, history. The human element also introduces limits in knowledge, and in the transmission, translation, and interpretation of the Bible.

Evaluate the following biblical argument against space travel

The Biblical Argument Against Space Exploration(The Bible Contra NASA)

The sun, moon, and planets were made for signs, for seasons, and to give light upon the earth. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that these were made for man toinhabit or to subdue. (Gen. 1:14 v.f.).

1. They note that God gave man dominion over the earth and did not say that about anyplace else in creation. (Gen. 1:28).

2. They point to Psalm 115:16 which says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” The regard us as trespassers on God’s “turf” if we set foot on the moon or Mars.

3. They argue that man’s goal is the same as Satan’s in Isaiah 14:12-13 which says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, sonof the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didstweaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascendinto heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” That is, they think that man’s only rationale is to be like God.

4. Many, but not all, argue that man’s goal in space is to take Godfrom his throne and take over from him. Or they see it as an attemptto get to heaven without God. They draw a parallel to thetower of Babel.