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

 

Words at Play

 

Dense is intensity

Not intent,

No mind of its own

It cannot repent.

Tense is a response

Like an offense,

In the mind kind of

Based on dense.

One is out there

The other is the mind,

Relationally proportionate

Over time.

The denser outside

Inside, more tense,

Creating a response

For defense or offense.

Note the difference

Regarding the offense,

The latter is action

The former is sense.

First, it is out there

Then it is in here,

Dense in the atmosphere

But inside, tense is fear.

If you are lost

You may be dense,

Not intensity this time

But in another sense

 

I won’t spell it out,

Aha! You have it,

I notice the light-bulb

Has been lit.

  

In conclusion,

Let me tease your mind

Regarding dense and tense,

Sense and offense.

Follow me now

With an open mind,

Of the four mentioned

Note two of each kind.

 

Offense as a sense

Offense as in attack,

Sense in the mind

Sense as in facts.

Dense as in intensity

Or dense as in dumb,

Like Nero, as Rome burnt,

Twiddling his thumbs.

Sense as in sensory

Sense as in common,

If you understand neither

It is time for a summons.

Tense as in feeling

Tense as in time,

Note I have finished

So, close your mind.

I requested it open

That you could understand,

If it’s now overworked,

That was the plan.

Stewart Russell © June 2020