Context and the Nature of God
In our last 3 blogs in this series, I talked about how to handle scripture rightly. You will want to review the first 3 blogs before you read this one.
In Part 3, we talked about using something called a historical contextual hermeneutic to interpret scripture rightly. In this final blog in the series, we will examine Scripture and context in light of the nature of God and the whole of scripture.
What is the Context of the Scripture?
We discussed the first two crucial questions to ask in handling scripture rightly:
- Who is the author speaking to?
- What is the historical, cultural, political, and economic background of the author and the author’s audience?
The 3rd crucial question to as is, “What is the context of the scripture?” This includes:
- the book in general
- the chapters preceding and following
- the verses before and afterwards.
Often, especially in the letters of Paul, he makes a point that takes multiple chapters before and after to understand. He builds his case while often wandering a bit; the climax of his point is made over several chapters.
A striking example is his discussion of the topic of salvation for the Jews, now that the Gentiles have been grafted in. At the end of Romans Chapter 9, it looks like Israel is hopelessly damned. This is repeated at the end of Romans 10. We could take these verses out of context and doom a whole people group. However, in Romans 11 the direction reverses and a case is built in the exact opposite direction. It climaxes in Romans 11:25-36, with the hope of all Israel being saved– quite a different take.
Another notable case in point is 1 Corinthians 14:34 saying that women should be silent in the church. If we look just 3 verses earlier (1 Corinthians 14:31), Paul literally states that “all may prophesy”. There is no such thing as silent prophesying. It is silly to say this applies to all women for all time in all situations.
It is a misinterpretation of, “I do not permit a woman to teach” in 1 Timothy 1:12 to say that it applies to all women for all time and in all circumstances. When you look at the context of the book and the chapters before, as well as the culture of the time, the meaning of this verse becomes clear. This scripture applied to certain women (those teaching female preeminence over men), during a particular time and circumstance (Ephesus in the first century ripe with cults, including goddess worship and Gnosticism).
Clearly, context is crucial.
So are the audience and historical issues.
If we didn’t interpret these passages from a contextual historical hermeneutic, I would be totally out of order teaching you and you would be totally out of order taking instruction from me!
More crucial questions
The last crucial questions to ask are, “How does this verse fit with the nature of God?” and “How does this verse fit with the whole of scripture?”
Since I brought up women in ministry, I’ll use that as an example in asking these questions.
How does the nature of God influence how He sees His sons and daughters?
First, He is Love (1 John 4:8,16). He is freedom (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 3:17). He also honors His kids (1 Corinthians 13:5).
He loves righteousness and hates oppression and wickedness (Psalms 45:7, 1 Corinthians 13:5).
He always believes and sees the best (1 Corinthians 13:7).
He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
When Jesus, the express image of the Father, walked the earth, His treatment of women was loving and honoring; it was revolutionary! There are so many examples. For one there is the woman at the well, who He engaged and ministered to the heart of her brokenness without condemnation. He also took care of His mother, even at the cross. He refused to condemn an adulteress, but called her a daughter.
Jesus also first entrusted the gospel to a woman, Mary. She was the first evangelist. Relating back to the verse in 1 Timothy, you can’t be silent and evangelize.
Both men and women are “sons of God” and “the bride of Christ” as well as intimate friends of Christ.
Now, how does women in ministry relate to the whole of scripture?
Does squelching women fit with both Adam and Eve being made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27)?
What about Paul endorsing a female leaders, including deaconess, Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), as well as many other female co-laborers by name?
The prophets and apostles are considered the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). There are numerous female prophets in the old and new testament: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Anna.
Paul endorsed a female apostle, Junias, as “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7).
What about God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days and saying that our sons and daughters shall prophesy (Acts 2:17)?
How about there being no male or female in the Spirit (Galatians 3:28)?
All of these point out that not allowing women to speak in church or teach neither fits with the nature of God, nor the whole of scripture.
What to do When Scripture Feels Wrong
Let’s be very clear, NONE of us have all of Scripture figured out. None of us have perfect doctrine. We need to cling to the major doctrines and look through the lens of Love, unlimited grace, the finished work of the cross, and Person of Christ. The more peripheral doctrines can be held loosely. We want to allow Holy Spirit to lead us. We want to be humble and correctable.
We do not make feelings dictate with finality how we operate. The sons/daughters of God are led by the Spirit of God! Feelings are not Lord. However, when something does not sit right, we have to figure that we are missing something. God is a God of peace and love – not fear. He builds up and doesn’t tear down people. In searching the matter out, we need to trust the Lord to help us explain the disconnect. We also need to be OK with some mystery. God, after all, is gloriously, gorgeously mysterious. We can rest knowing that He is extravagantly good – way past our comprehension. We are adored as His kids and will be taken care of.
I trust that was a help to you! Let me hear from you!
Love,
Catherine
