PART II: INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE - INTERPRETING THE SCRIPTURES The language of the Bible is of three kinds.Figurative, Symbolical and Literal. Such expressions as Harden not your heart, Let the dead bury their dead, are figurative, and their meaning is made clear by the context. Symbolic language, like the description of Nebuchadnezzer’s Colossus, Daniel’ s Four Wild Beasts or Christ in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks, is explained, either in the same chapter, or somewhere else in the Bible. That said, the rest of the language of the Bible is to be interpreted according to the customary rules of grammar and rhetoric. That is, we are to read the Bible as we would read any other book, letting it say what it wants to say, and not allegorize or spiritualize its meaning. It is this false method of interpreting Scripture that has led us to the origin of so many religious sects and denominations. There are three things that we must avoid in the handling of Gods Word. 1. The Misinterpretation of Scripture. 2. The Misapplication of Scripture. 3. The Dislocation of Scripture. The trouble is men are not willing to let the Scriptures say what they want to say. This is largely due to their training, environment, prejudice, or desire to make the Scriptures teach some favorite doctrine. Then again we must not overlook theParabolic Methodof imparting truth. Jesus did not invent it, though He largely used it, it was employed by the Old Testament prophets. In the New Testament it is used as a Mystery Form of imparting truth. Matthew 13:10-12 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the MYSTERIES of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. A mystery is not something that cannot be known, but something that for the time being is hidden. I hand you a sealed letter. What it contains is a mystery to you. Break the seal and read the letter and it ceases to be a mystery. But you may not be able to read the letter, because it is written in a language with which you are not familiar. Learn the language and the mystery ceases. But perhaps the letter contains technical terms which you do not understand, learn their meaning and all will be plain. That is the way with the Mysteries of the Scriptures. Learn to read them by the help of their author, the Holy Spirit, and they will no longer be mysteries. This brings us to the great question - Is The Bible Gods Book Or Mans Book? That, we will answer when we come back. (From Dispensational Truths by Clarence Larkin)
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 19:56:04 +0000
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