Forthright Magazine
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross


Just Your Interpretation
by J. Randal Matheny

God did not put the gospel in a movie, but in a
book. Nor did he burn it to a CD, a DVD, or stick
it on an eight-track tape. The Bible is the
divine record of the Creator's carrying out of
his eternal plan. What he has done, still does,
and will do.

Some think the Bible is open to interpretation.
So much so that there may be several valid ones,
some better than others perhaps. So when one
interpretation doesn't please someone, he can
reply, " That's just your interpretation." By
that phrase is meant that an interpretation is
merely one person's attempt to understand and
apply the Bible, which is not binding upon anyone
else.

Without demeaning the need to grasp the context
of Biblical writings, to appreciate the nature of
the type of literature, or to study the meanings
of words, sentences, and paragraphs, one can
rightly say that the Bible IS interpretation. In
the Bible God explains his own acts in history.

How do we know, for example, that of three men
crucified on Golgotha outside Jerusalem one day,
one death had special meaning? Because God caused
men to write, explain that event, and associate
it with divine intent and observable signs, like
the tearing of the temple curtain, darkness
during the day, and the resurrection of the dead.

The apostles and prophets of the new covenant
further explain the implications and applications
of that event for one's life.

Paul said he wrote about God's work so that
"when you read, you may understand my knowledge
in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4, NKJV).

What was written could be, and can be,
understood and, as forceful divine interpretation
(John calls the miracles "signs"), is capable of
causing belief in the reader/hearer (John 20:30-
31).

So in a real sense, the Bible doesn't need
interpretation, for it already is that. What is
needs is response -- belief and obedience.

For who is willing to say to God, "That's JUST
your interpretation"?


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