Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

 

 

We take the Bible literally

Whenever it suits our cause

But when it goes against the grain

We have reason to pause.

 

Suddenly, we say it is figurative

Even though it makes literal sense

And we switch between these two

Inconsistently now and then against.

 

We seldom have an open mind

Because we already know

And to change from that position

It would be a disconcerting blow.

 

Even when we are enlightened

We still stick to what we knew,

You see it is not about wrong and right

It is about the popular view.

 

Yet, we talk about revelation

The kind we have personally received,

For the most part, it’s extra-biblical

 But it is what we believe.

 

We would rather believe a vision

Or some personal prophecy

Than accept the literal sense of the Word

“Oh, that is not for me!”

 

We must read the word for ourselves

And let it show us the way,

It cannot mean something different

From what it actually says.

 

We are prone to great annoyance

When our positions are debunked,

It is like when our favorite boxer falls

And stays down for the count.

 

Here of lately I have struggled

With beliefs that I held dare,

Thank God, they were nothing fundamental

So I did not have to fear.

 

But they were important to me

 A part of my knowledge base,

So, when at first I had to question them,

It was not a pleasant taste.

 

At first, I vehemently resisted

Since they did not fit in with my sect

But I let scripture explain scripture

And could no longer reject.

 

When we study secular books

We understand by what the author say

But when we study the word of God

We switch to another way.

 

We jump straight to the figurative

And ignore the literal sense

And if we are apprised of our error

We indignantly take offense.

 

Let scripture interpret scripture

And always stick to the context,

Be careful not to yank out verses-

A text out of a context is a pretext.

 

Heed the Word before any other

Be tuned to the Spirit in the Word,

Consider the person and work of Jesus:

This is the purpose of God’s Word.

 

Stewart Russell © October 2019

 

Science and Religion

 

Are these two opposed?

Many seem to think so,

I think they complement one another

And that’s what I will show.

 

Science is not anti-God

As even some Christians suppose

But we can do science because of God

And that’s what I propose.

 

For sure we all know

Laws are pivotal to science,

And it is Almighty God the Creator

Upon whom science is reliant.

 

God is all knowing, all wise,

And one with eternity,

He with the Son and the Holy Spirit

Forms the blessed Trinity.

 

Three persons in the Godhead

The first of many Triads,

Like time and space and matter:

In each what do we have?

 

 

Time is definitely a triad

With present, past and future,

It is Almighty God that created time-

I trust you get the picture.

 

 

In time he created space;

Space is length, width and height,

In space he stretched out the heavens

We see on a starry night.

 

 

In time He created the earth;

Matter is solid, liquid and gas,

In the beginning God created everything

Thousands of years in the past.

 

God established all science

And without Him there would be none,

By His Son all things consist

And Jesus is His Son. 

 

John 1:1-4

 

In the beginning was the Word,

And the Word was with God,

And the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

 

All things were made by him;

And without him

Was not anything made that was made.

In him was life;

And the life was the light of men.

 

Science dissects things

To see how they are made,

I tried the same thing as a youngster

But I consistently failed.

 

 

For having dissected things

I could not put them together again,

Somewhat like Humpty Dumpty-

You could well imagine my pain.

 

Religion puts them back together

To see what they mean,

The two complement one another

As facilitated by the Supreme.

 

God is not anti-science

There is absolutely no way He could be,

Creation is too full of science

That anyone can see.

 

Psalm 19:1-2

 

The heavens declare God’s glory

And the firmament shows his handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night shows knowledge.

 

 

The Bible is full of science

And makes a great science text,

When science and religion are combined

Things become less complex.

 

Stewart Russell © September 19, 2023