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

 

Read the Word!

 

I am beginning to appreciate

The Word can speak for itself

Far better than the commentaries

That line across our shelf.

 

We rely on commentators

To expound on the Holy Word

And depending on our preference

We may or may not concur.

 

Some we hold in high esteem

And we say their names in awe

Often forgetting they are human

And therefore, not without flaw.

 

Some are particularly brilliant

And that I must admit

But they are not nearly as bright

As the blessed Holy Spirit.

 

 

I mean the Spirit in the Word

That came to teach all truth:

The promised alike Jesus Comforter

And Pentecost bears the proof.

 

The Spirit illumines the Word

And fits it to our understanding

In a way that no commentary can

Regardless of name or branding.

 

Interpretation is important

But it must not be the primary goal,

Reading is the principal thing

And quite a lot will unfold.

 

It is what the Bible actually says

And not what someone says it says:

It’s best we begin with the explicit

And let the Spirit guide our way.

 

I am having a severe struggle

With positions I once held dear

Ever since I began reading the Word

And putting study in second gear.

 

 

Often, we are inclined to believe

The Word doesn’t mean what it says

And so, we put our spin on it

And hence, our interpretive ways.

 

If the literal literally makes sense

Then that’s good enough for me,

No need for someone’s interpretation

To tell me what I did not see.

 

Now commentaries have their place

Please don’t get me wrong,

But they are not the be all and end all:

No human is that strong.

 

So, read before interpreting:

The explicit before the implicit,

The who, the what, the when, the where

Meets good investigative habit.

 

Be careful with denominations,

Subject them to the litmus test

Which of course is what the Word says:

This approach is always best.

 

Let Scripture interpret Scripture:

The difficult in light of the simple

And read and read and read again!

Until you solve the puzzle.

 

 

A good concordance is key

It’s more instructive than a commentary,

Trace a word right through the Word

And see what its meaning be.

 

Context always before pretext

Exegesis and never eisegesis,

Don’t let denomination get in the way

And from the Bible never drift.

 

Keep the nature of God in mind

And remember, Jesus is the Word,

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter

So, to these three defer.

 

Stewart Russell © August 18, 2021