Posted on Tuesday,

#18: What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Interpreting the Bible?

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Interpreting the Bible?

Can a non-Christian grasp the content of the Bible? Yes and no.

Yes, if we mean the text can be understood by employing a sound approach to literature—to the basic grammar, context, and content of a passage.

But an unbeliever cannot fully appreciate and take to heart the truth of the Bible. God’s Spirit helps Christians discern the spiritual realities of the text and then apply them to their lives (see 1 Cor. 2:14).

Scott Duvall and Daniel Hays offer helpful insight here:

When it comes to biblical interpretation, having the Holy Spirit does not mean that the Spirit is all we need, since he will not make biblical interpretation automatic. He expects us to use our minds, valid interpretive methods, and good study helps. The Spirit does not create new meaning or provide new information, but he does enable us to accept the Bible as God’s Word and grasp its meaning. The Spirit will not change the Bible to suit our purposes or match our circumstances, but he will work in our lives as interpreters. He restores us to our senses and helps us grow up spiritually so we can hear his voice in the Scriptures more clearly.

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Posted on Tuesday,

Justice Antonin Scalia, Textualism, and the Bible

On Saturday night America lost the greatest defender in a generation of the original meaning of the constitution in Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Those will be huge shoes to fill.

I also will miss his razor sharp whit and creative ability to turn a phrase along with the way he would go after whoever was arguing before the court to defend a point rationally. Every time an opinion was delivered from the Supreme Court, I always wanted to see what Scalia had written because I knew his opinions would be rooted in the text of the constitution (i.e., textualism or originalism) instead of the prevailing cultural winds of our day (sometimes refereed to the “living and breathing document approach”).

That is a lesson that Christians and non-Christian alike need to learn when it comes to the Bible. The approach of Justice Antonin Scalia to the constitution is the same one we need for interpreting the Bible.

[Tweet “”Interpretation is one but application is many. We confuse this distinction at our own peril.””]

The meaning of a text does not change in every generation. It’s application can (more…)

Posted on Tuesday,

Is the Bible Sexist, Racist, Homophobic, and Genocidal?

Does the Bible endorse slavery? Is the Bible anti-women? Does God hate homosexuals? Is the God of the Bible a genocidal monster? These are challenging questions for Christians to answer. In this new resource, I respond to four of the most culturally taboo issues of our day when it comes to the Bible. These objections often leave Christians speechless. This e-Book (for only .99 cents) summarizes the key arguments you need to know in order to thoughtfully, lovingly, and biblically respond when you encounter these emotional objections.

Understanding the cultural and historical background of the Bible’s description and view of these controversial issues give insight into the modern context. This is a concise and readable resource to help clear up some of the modern confusion and skepticism regarding the Bible’s stance on these important topics.

My hope is that you will find answers and encouragement in these pages and be better equipped to engage people about your faith.

Question: Which of these questions is most challenging for you to answer? Leave a comment below!

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Posted on Thursday,

The Bible Is Not Aladdin’s Lamp

The Bible is a unique book—but it is still a book. Yet, many think they have to read the Bible differently than any other book they read, like it is a book of magic. At the other end of the spectrum, some people read Scripture as an academic book of literature or history only—discounting the miraculous part of it—and miss the heart of its message. Biblical scholar Roy Zuck offers good advice:

The Bible then . . . is a human book and is also a divine book. Neither can be denied. If we look on the book as only human, then we approach the Bible rationally. If we look on the book as only divine while ignoring its human elements, we approach the Bible as a mystical book. Seeing that the Bible is both human and divine, we seek to interpret it as we would any other book while at the same time affirming its uniqueness as a book of divine truth from the hand of God.

God chose to reveal himself to prophets and apostles in time and space to a particular culture. That means language, grammar, syntax, historical setting, and literary devices matter. Recognizing these realties and growing in our skill as thoughtful readers will help us handle accurately the word of truth.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” – 2 Tim. 2:15 (NASB)

So where should you start? I explain the basics concepts of how to read and understand the Bible for yourself here (chapter 9).

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