How Do We Read the Bible
Trinity Covenant Church [RCUS] Colorado Springs Prepared for Sunday School, September 12, 2004
Principle	Details
Definition: The units that are used to convey the meaning of the Bible are words. These words do not exist in isolation, but are given in phrases, sentences, paragraphs, books, and within the context of the whole Bible and the context of Creation. This is to say that the meaning of the Bible is “literal,” conveyed by the words themselves. Man’s mental state, his emotional state, his historical context, his economic and social development are all secondary to the words. The words define the man; man does not define the words. The Bible is the Word of God, not the words of men who are struggling to understand God.
Figurative Use Of Words	The Bible uses words in all the ways that men use them. A passage may be figurative, but the meaning of the figure is conveyed by the words, so the figurative is a legitimate aspect of the literal meaning. For instance, “Lamb of God” is figurative, indicating that Jesus is a sacrifice for sins; but the words convey the meaning. “Lamb of God” could not legitimately be used to teach that the Messiah comes from Korea.
Poetry	There is poetry in the Bible, but its meaning is conveyed by the words. Psalm 23, for instance. The Parables of Christ have figurative meanings, but these meanings are conveyed by the words.
Theme	There are themes in the Bible, but the words must rule the themes, and themes must never be used to twist or corrupt the plain meaning of the words. In the New Perspectives, the themes are derived from first century Judaism and imposed on Paul in Romans.
“Spiritual” Interpretation	A device that was often used against the Reformers was the idea of “spiritual” interpretation, to avoid the plain meaning of the words, as if there were hidden meanings that only the “spiritual” could understand. This turns the Bible into the words of men, for every man can interpret them as he pleases. “The letter killeth” does not mean that the words of Scripture kill, but that the figures of the old law are deadly if they are not understood in the light of the fulfillment of Christ and the days of the Spirit. Ceremonies are deadly if the heart and mind are not engaged.
Covenant The Bible sets forth an eternal Covenant, promised in the Old Testament, and fulfilled in Christ. Men have always been saved by faith in Christ.	The idea of covenant is so large that it is easy to miss it in a mass of minutia. [See last week’s lesson] Jesus put his imprimatur on the Old Testament quoting it constantly and specifically in Matthew 5: 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.