THE “SCIENCE OF INTERPRETATION”

A proper understanding of Scripture is not a daunting task!

Previously in “Growing in Christ” I posted about the critical importance of curriculum as a means of monitoring what is being taught in Bible studies. While only one comment is visible, several others have questioned the phrase “science of interpretation.”  I totally understand how this phrase has created some confusion.  Allow me to kindly clarify what I was trying to express. 

To begin, we need working definitions of the word “science” and “hermeneutics.”  According to Webster’s Dictionary science may be defined as: “a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study (i.e. the science of theology).”  Additionally, Webster’s defines hermeneutics as “the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible).” The question was raised regarding where is this supported in the Bible.  The Scriptures are filled with commands and declarations of the benefits of Bible study.  Here are just a few: Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8:13; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 111:2; 2 Timothy 2:15. 

The Holy Spirit has to be involved if we are to understand and apply God’s Word.  However, believers must participate in the Work of the Holy Spirit.  We do that by spending time in the word, asking questions and searching the Scriptures for answers. 

A specific example of this can be found in Acts 17:10-11. Paul and Silas traveled to Berea where the people “welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (HCSB) The Jews at Berea tested the truth of Paul's message by the standard of Scripture rather than judging it by political and cultural considerations. So they examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what Paul proclaimed was really true, and many believed. In short the Bereans demonstrated the “science of interpretation.”

Bible study leaders have an obligation to rightly understand the Scriptures.  Incorrect doctrine, theology, and inappropriate usage of Scripture often occurs when a person does not devote himself to the Bible as “an object of study.”  Specifically, what happens is misquotes of scriptures, but most often misapplications. When repeated these misquotes and misapplications become accepted resulting in the spread of false doctrine. 

I plan to post a couple of recommended study methods to this blog in the upcoming weeks.  If there is one in particular you would like to see please post. 

THE CASE FOR CURRICULUM

One of the more difficult tasks for a pastor is monitoring what is being taught within each of the church’s Bible study groups.  When Bible study groups go unmonitored, the door is opened for dissension within the church.  Unrestricted study group leaders can allow false doctrine to be taught, groups to degenerate into gossip sessions, and bad theologies to become accepted within the group.

To write a good Bible study lesson takes a lot of time and study.  Biblical interpretation is a science and writing a good lesson requires careful and correct hermeneutics. Without the proper preparation, a Bible study leader can easily twist and contort Scripture into a false doctrine or bad theology (even unintentionally) in an effort to respond to a question or comment.

Good Bible study curriculum, can limit misinformation being presented in the study.  Curriculum should be evaluated prior to being allowed to be used in a Bible study group.  Basic criteria for evaluation includes, but is not limited to, publisher, author, ease of use, doctrine(s) presented, and key theological points.

Equally important is good judgement on the study leader’s part. Leaders need to be free to  respond with “I don’t know” when faced with a question or comment not covered in the lesson material. More importantly, to ask “Where is that in the Bible?” when anyone makes a statement with the words, “I think . . .” (or anything similar to that phrase).

At Deltona Lakes, we use several key checkpoints to monitor our groups:
1.    Interview small group leaders who desire to write their own lessons.
2.    Require lesson notes from those who write their own lessons.
3.    Limit, review, and approve all Bible study materials that are used.
4.    Once a year for 8 weeks the church goes into “lock-step.” Every small group is studying the same Scripture text and every sermon is preached from that same text.  This is a great opportunity for us to present correct theology and doctrine to the entire church body.

These checkpoints may sound legalistic or over controlling, but they are not when they are applied through reason. What these checkpoints tend to do is to eliminate divisive personalities before they get into a position to do harm to the body.

In addition to the four checkpoints, we require our leaders and co-leaders to attend one of  two small group leader workshops held each year.  At these workshops we not only present the rules but also explain the reason for the rules.  Additionally, we spend about 90% of our time at the workshops providing training to enhance their small group leadership skills.

Since implementing curriculum standards and leader workshops, we have noticed a positive outlook and spiritual growth within Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.  There is a growing passion for ministry and a growing desire to know God!

Knowing God Intimately

“For millions of Christians, God is no more real than He is to the non-Christian.  They go through life trying to love an ideal and be loyal to a mere principle.” A.W. Tozer

    Tozer’s statement is worth spending time reflecting on the degree to which it applies to each of us.  PAUSE, and ask yourself this question, “How real is God to me?”  Perhaps you might be thinking, “Well, whatever do you mean?”  But the question is clear and simple, “How real is God to you?”  It is one of the most important questions in our spiritual journey. 

    How real God is to a person is directly proportional to how well that person knows God.  Not how much we know about God, but how well we know God.  Another way of looking at all of this would be to define the relationship we have with God.  In particular, how intimate are you with God? 

    To the best of my understanding, God’s primary message to us is He loves us and desires our love in return.  To understand and receive that message, we must first accept the fact that God is knowable and desires to be known.  He is not a God who is “watching us from a distance” but rather a God who is so close to us that HE is essentially within us.

    Closeness with God is not a goal that is accomplished, or a check mark on our “bucket list.”   Rather it is a process, a never ending, always changing relationship, much like any other relationship.  Unfortunately, we don’t always protect our “God-me” relationships with the same determination as we do our “other people-me” relationships.  Some of us will go for days without even telling God, “hello” (one reason given for a pastor’s dismissal years ago was he didn’t say, “hello” to a church member).  We tell God how much we love Him on Sundays, then “cheat” on Him by loving other things more than HIM.  We’ll ask God to give us wisdom, then complain when we get into a position where we must use that wisdom (same thing with faith, health, influence, etc.). 

    Much of our problem is we don’t want to know God as much as we want to figure Him out.  We are constantly trying to “out guess” Him.  To figure out how to get the most from God through the least effort from ourselves.

    This is why most people (esp. unbelievers) want to read and study Revelation, they are trying to decode it in hopes of cheating judgement. Our sin-self wants to out guess God in hopes of  “working the system.”  An example of what I’m trying to say in when Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  (Matthew 18:21 NASB) He was trying to figure out the minimum effort to building his relationship with people and with God.  The rich ruler in Luke 18:18 had the same problem, he was trying to be sure he had God figured out.

    We need to realize that as people we don’t have each other figured out, therefore how can we even imagine having God figured out.  When we stop trying to manipulate God, we will start down the path of knowing Him.  As we get to know God more and more then we will develop the understanding that I don’t need to manipulate Him.  Knowing God will cause us to see that He has promised to always do what is best for His Kingdom and for us.  Also, that He never breaks a promise. 

    Hopefully by this point there is an interest in how to get to know God better.  It begins with spending time with God.  This involves two activities.  One is spending time with other believers as they corporately spend time with God.  Also begin spending time alone with God.  Start doing things like praying, reading Scriptures, singing Christian songs, reading Christian authors (The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer, is a good start), etc.

    Secondly, we begin to participate with God in things HE is already doing around us. Look for a place to volunteer in service to God.  Volunteer to be a greeter or to help with parking at the church you are attending.  Be willing to serve at the welcome table/center or help in some other ministry in the church. The opportunities are there if we will submit to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  By doing these things we will learn to love God more and experience more of the love He has already given.