How to Handle Scripture Rightly / Part One

When Scripture Doesn’t Seem Right

Many in the body of Christ have rejoiced in the freedom, comfort and promises found in the Word of God. Jesus Himself said that His words are Spirit and life (John 6:63). 

When God Doesn’t Look Nice

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room. What about the scriptures that don’t look like love, grace, peace, freedom, and rest? You know, the ones about the flood, genocide, judgment, wrath, and hell?

Many legalistic Pharisees and many atheists have been birthed out of a narrow and condemning interpretation of these scriptures. 

Believers who do not fall in either of these camps, often feel condemned or double-minded in their faith, because God looks nice on one hand, and terrifying, on the other. 

What is going on? What do we do with these types of scriptures?

Is it the Word or the Spirit?

I don’t believe we are free to discard scripture that doesn’t jive with our own paradigms. Some believe that Scripture is riddled with the agendas of men and faulty interpretations and decide to throw Scripture out and just trust Holy Spirit to lead apart from the Bible.  In my opinion, that is dangerous ground (2 Peter 1:20). In and of ourselves, we have our own agendas, distorted filters, blind-spots, and faulty interpretations. That is why we need Someone bigger than us. We need the Person of Christ in us, Holy Spirit and Father God to lead us. 

God has unequivocally given us the plumb-line of scripture to help. Like fire, we need to handle this life-giving gift rightly or we can get burned. We cannot be passive or lazy in handling the word of God. And we cannot be arrogant, thinking we’ve got it all figured out!

If we rely on Scripture alone we can end up missing God (John 5:38-40). If we rely only on our internal compasses alone, we can also end up missing God. We need both the Spirit of God and Scripture! To argue either/or is silly when you think about it. They are One Person! The intercourse between the Spirit and the Word is inseparable. However, the Bible is not God; it is not to be worshipped. The Bible is a holy gift from God and points the One, Who is the Word – the Logos, Jesus, the Christ (John 1:1) And He and the Spirit are One!

All scripture is inspired and profitable for instruction, correction and equipping (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, inspiration is not the same as inerrancy. What do I mean by this? Often in Scripture reveals the perspective of man, not God. This makes Scripture look like it  is chock full of error. But upon closer inspection, the validity of Scripture is breathtakingly intact!  

Take a Look

Ecclesiastes talks about this theme over and over – contrasting “under the sun” (man’s perspective), which is vanity versus. God’s perspective. The fact that most of scripture was written from the perspective of the Old Covenant intrinsically means that the real nature of God was veiled (Psalm 40:6, Psalm 51:16, Hosea 6:1, Isaiah 1:11, Habakkuk 1:13, 2 Corinthians 3:13-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4…). God’s true nature had been veiled actually ever since the fall! 

Also, too often in translating, flat out errors were made because of the translator’s faulty filters. We will discuss this later. There have also been transcribing errors. Happily, these are markedly minor, especially considering the mammoth task. However, even with these issues, the Gospel is strikingly solid and intact! God has guarded scripture masterfully! 

Moreover, we need to remember that there is a LOT of allegory in the Word and we need Holy Spirit to help us sort that out. 

The Gift of Teachers 

God has also given us gifted teachers to equip us (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:28). I am so grateful for so many anointed teachers – they are truly gifts!

However, we are not to be lazy and swallow others’ teachings, including mine, wholesale. We need to study for ourselves, engaging with Holy Spirit to grow (2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11).  Holy Spirit in us is our Teacher and He is masterful at helping us grapple with these things ourselves. He leads and guides us into all Truth (John 16:13, John 8:32, 1 Corinthians 2:16).

 I have a whole lot more to help you in your desire to search out Truth and in your grappling with what appears to be contradictions in the Word. Join me in my next in the series to help. I love your heart to understand our beautiful God through His Word!

 

Much love,

Catherine