Search the Scriptures: April 29, 2001
THAT’S JUST YOUR INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION:
A. Good morning my friends and welcome to Search the Scriptures. On behalf of the Danville
church of Christ I am delighted that you have decided to spend this time with us as we attempt
to understand better the word of God. Today begins an exciting week for the Danville church of
Christ. Beginning with this morning’s 9:30 assembly, we begin a week long gospel meeting.
This meeting begins today, April 29 and continues through this Friday, May 4. Our guest
evangelist, who will be preaching at each service is brother Earl Robertson, from Glasgow,
Kentucky. Brother Robertson is a knowledgeable and experienced gospel preacher; one who
has spent several decades preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. And, my friends he brings
these years of dedication and experience to the Danville church of Christ all this week. This
meeting will continue through this Friday night, May 4. I promise you that you will not want to
miss this special evangelistic effort of the Danville church of Christ. This morning, our times
of services remain the same, but this afternoon we have scheduled a special song service at 2:30
P.M. And then our evening worship will begin at 3:30 P.M.; immediately following our singing.
However, for the rest of the week, Monday through Friday our times of services will be 7:30
P.M. So remember, today, April 29 through Friday, May 4. A gospel meeting with the Danville
church of Christ. The times will be 7:30 each weeknight, Monday through Friday. But for this
afternoon only we will have a special song service at 2:30 P.M., followed by our evening
worship at 3:30 P.M. I hope to see you at our gospel meeting, beginning today, April 29 and
continuing through Friday, May 4.
B. Also, let me remind you of our web page. Check out our web site on the Internet if you have
access. Our web address is www.danvillechurchofchrist.org. When you log on you will
discover that we still have some things under construction, but there are plenty of things
available to you, so check us out. Also, you can contact me by way of Email though our site.
C. One of the most frequent comments made about some particular bible doctrine is -“That’s
just your interpretation.” Regardless of the doctrine - regardless of the issue being discussed -
and regardless of the conclusions reached, someone will invariably say, “Well, that’s just your
interpretation.” However, my friends, this comment is not made in an isolated setting. There is
always an underlying reason the statement is made. That is, it isn’t said without first reaching the
conclusion that people just cannot understand the bible alike. Ladies and gentlemen, before one
can conclude that there may be many interpretations of the bible, he must first conclude that it is
impossible for everybody to understand the bible alike. Frankly, the reason there is sundry and
diverse interpretations of the bible is because so many have unhealthy attitudes toward the bible.
Far too many people accept - as fact - the adage that says, “It is impossible for people to
understand the bible alike.” Maintaining a healthy respect for the scriptures is crucial if people
are going to understand the bible alike - and resist the temptation of placing their own so-called
interpretation upon a text. For example, if you have read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John) then you are keenly aware that there were countless opinions about Jesus. That is, people
could not agree upon who Jesus was. You might remember from Matt. 16:14, that many
believed him to be either John the Baptist, or Elijah, while others believed Jesus to be Jeremiah
or one of the other prophets. However, this was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Some had
the opinion that Jesus was in a league with the devil. For example, in Matt. 12:24, after
witnessing Jesus cast out evil spirits some said, this fellow does not cast out demons except by
Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. Then, we can also read of those who believed Jesus to be a
filthy sinner. These said in Matt. 11:19 that Jesus was a glutton and a wine bibber. And, also,
there were those who simply perceived that Jesus was a stereotypical phony. The bible says in
Matt. 27:63 that after the death of Christ he was still thought of as a fraud. Some were saying to
Pilate, sir, we remember, while he was still alive, how that deceiver said, after three days I will
rise. Pilate’s wife - on the other hand - concluded that Jesus was a godly, devout man. She told
her husband in Matt. 27:19, have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many
things today in a dream because of him. Ladies and gentlemen, we could cite other opinions
that people in the first century had about Jesus, but these should be enough to let us know that
not everyone believed Jesus to be the Christ - the Son of the Living God. As a matter of fact,
many people - especially those who led the demand for his crucifixion - were ignorant of whom
Jesus was. The apostle Peter said in Acts 3:17, yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in
ignorance, as did also your rulers. But, this ignorance did not come about, because the teaching
of Jesus was unclear or hazy. To the contrary - the teaching of Jesus was clear and easily
understandable. For example, once when Jesus was asked to say plainly if he was the Christ. He
responded in Jn. 10:25 with I told you, and you do not believe. My friends, listen to me
carefully. The reason there were so many opinions as to whom Jesus was, wasn’t because of the
Lord’s teaching. Instead varied opinions resulted from improper attitudes. Jesus made a most
profound observation, which is recorded in Jn. 7:17, when he said, if anyone wants to do his
will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my
own authority. This cuts to the heart of the matter. That is, before anyone can understand the
teaching of Christ - before anyone can understand the bible, he must first be willing to
understand it and be equally willing to do what it says. The reason that there is so many opinions
and interpretations of the bible is because there are many - many people maintaining improper
attitudes about the bible. The reason you hear people saying, “That’s just your interpretation,”
isn’t because they are stupid or dummies of some kind. Nor, is it because they are always
dishonest; some are, but not all. Often, I believe that when we discuss - on this program, things
about which you and I may differ. You might conclude that I am impugning your honesty or
your intellect. Neither is the case! I am simply calling on each of us to have the proper attitude
toward the scriptures, and if we do, then we will understand them alike. This is because the bible
has not been given to us in order to become subject to our capricious whims and fantasies.
Contrary to the opinions of the majority of denominational preachers, the bible is an
understandable book. You and I can understand it alike.
I. Consider, Eph. 5:17, that says, therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of
the Lord is. My friends, the word used by the Holy Spirit in this verse that is translated
understand is the Greek word suniemi, which means, “To put together, that is, mentally to
comprehend.” There you have it! The will of God [the bible - the teaching of God] is to be
mentally comprehended (put together in the mind) by everyone. That is, everyone is to
understand the teaching of God. And, if we understand the teaching of God - then, without a
doubt, we all will understand it alike. There will be no different so-called interpretations. There
couldn’t be, because to understand would necessarily imply that we all understand the scriptures
alike. And when this is done - there is no room for various and diverse interpretations. Think
about this for a moment - my friends. God calls on us [No! Perhaps it is more accurate to say,
that God commands us] to understand his will - the bible. Furthermore, he commands for us to
be one [united] in our beliefs. Remember, it was the apostle Paul who wrote in 1 Cor. 1:10
saying, now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Taking these two verses together
(that is, Eph. 5:17 and 1 Cor. 1:10) we can immediately learn that God is telling us to
understand his will, and in understanding it we will see it alike. All bible believers are to speak
the same thing, and all are to be perfectly joined together in the same mine and judgment. And
this is only possible when we understand the will of God, and understand it alike. It is manifestly
possible to have no divisions whenever we understand the will of God, because to understand it
is to understand it alike. It’s shocking to hear people say that we can’t understand the bible alike.
It is equally appalling to hear people say that the bible is a book that is subject to everyone’s
private interpretation - regardless of how outlandish that interpretation might be. If the bible is
not an understandable book, then one of two things must be true. Either God deliberately gave
the world a book he knew could not be understood, or he was incapable of giving us a book we
could understand. Now, those of you who contend that men can’t understand the bible alike,
which of these two positions do you take? That is, those of you who believe all biblical
understanding is contingent upon one’s private interpretation. Do you believe that God could,
but did not give us an understandable book? Or do you believe that God was merely unable to
give the human family a bible that could be understood alike by all who read it? If you genuinely
believe the bible is subject to each one’s own private interpretation, then you have to choose
which of these makes that so. Either God couldn’t or he wouldn’t give us a bible we could
understand.
II. My friends, the breakdown in understanding the bible is not with God; it’s with men and
women. God has given us a book that can - and must be understood alike by all who read it. The
explanation for the reason men and women are not understanding it - the reason men and women
are subjecting it to their own private interpretations - is because of the attitudes they bring with
them. Let’s consider, for example, some faulty attitudes’ people have developed which hinders
their understanding of the scriptures. In the first place, there are many people who plainly deny
that the bible is an inspired book. That is, many people may view the bible as a book of
antiquity, but they also view it as a book of purely human composition. Many people like to read
the bible - but they believe the bible is of human origin, and that God is not the author of it.
Many examine the bible as they might examine the works of Shakespeare or Chaucer, or they
might read the bible like they read Dickens or even Mark Twain. When the writings of those
men are read and analyzed it isn’t uncommon to hear of various interpretations people place
upon what these men have said. For example, whenever English Literature classes study, let’s
say “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which is a romantic comedy written by William
Shakespeare in 1595, there will be many different interpretations placed upon what the students
thought Shakespeare was trying to say. This, however, is not how we are to approach the bible!
The bible unlike any other book has as its author - Almighty God. The human writers of the
bible were miraculously directed and guided by God. 2 Tim. 3:16 says, all Scripture is given by
inspiration of God. This word inspiration does not mean what many suppose the word to mean.
It does not mean exhilarated and provoked by things like a beautiful sunset. It does not mean
stimulated by an excited imagination to write some great story or poem or sonnet. Inspiration
means, “God breathed.” The bible is breathed [or animated - or given life] by the mouth of
Almighty God. The bible contains the very words that have come from the mind and mouth of
God. Jesus said in Matt. 4:4, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God. This sets the bible apart from all other books. It has proceeded
from the mind and mouth of God. Paul wrote in Gal. 1:11-12, but I make known to you,
brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither
received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Here we are being told that Paul [as well as the other writers of the New Testament] did not learn
what they were preaching and teaching from men. That is, it was not of human origin, instead it
came from God. The reason, my friends, that you hear people say the bible is filled with
mistakes is because they are assuming it has a human beginning. When we assume that the bible
is a book composed solely by mere man, then we will believe it must contain errors. If we think
it contains historical inaccuracies, then it’s no small thing to believe that it has doctrinal mistakes
as well. Also, if we believe the bible is scientifically incorrect, then we will easily believe it’s
incorrect in what it says about Jesus or salvation or the church. My friends, there is no middle
ground. Either the bible is the inspired [God-breathed] will of our Creator, or it is a fraud and
filled with mistakes, inaccuracies or outright lies. We can’t have it both ways, but this is what
those who believe it is merely a good book of human origin are trying to do; have it both ways.
If, however, the bible is the inspired will of God, then it contains neither mistakes nor
corruptions. And anytime you approach a study of the bible, you must begin with a reverent
attitude toward it, or else you will not understand its teaching. Others, however, struggle to
understand the bible because they have been lied to. I know this sounds harsh and unkind, but
there are men and women - purporting themselves to be men and women of God - who are
dishonest and they will mislead you. If you doubt this, then answer this question. Why did Paul
write let God be true but every man a liar in Rom. 3:4? It’s because God alone is the source of
truth. Paul also wrote that God cannot lie, in Titus 1:2. God is the fountainhead of truth, what he
says is true, and it will always be true. Man - on the other hand - can and will lie to you. Men,
even religious men, will lie, if it suits their agenda. Consider what happened in 1 Ki.13. That
chapter reveals to us the account of God speaking to a prophet, telling him to prophesy against
Jeroboam in the city of Bethel. God gave that prophet some unique and specific instructions.
For example, God told him that after his work was completed he was to not eat bread, nor drink
water, nor return by the same way [he] came, according to 1 Ki. 13:9. The text conveys to us
that he clearly understood this warning because he told King Jeroboam that he could not come
into the palace and eat with him. However, upon his return he was met by another prophet, who
said that God had spoken to him and said it was okay to disregard the previous command of
God. He was told that he could - in fact - go into this prophet’s home to eat with him. So
disregarding what he knew to be God’s truth, this man went into the home of this prophet who
came out to him. But, ladies and gentlemen, the bible tells us that the first prophet should have
listened to the voice of God and not the voice of the second prophet. And the reason is clear.
Verse 18 says that the second prophet lied to him. Consequently, upon leaving the home of the
second prophet, the first man was killed by a lion. This was because of his disregard for what he
knew to be the truth of God. “But,” you might be saying, “this is not fair - he was lied to.”
Sure he was lied to, and that’s the point. He knew what God had said to him. Remember, let God
be true and every man a liar. You can read the bible and understand what God has said to you.
Therefore, you better not listen to someone who tells you something different. I don’t care how
pious someone seems to be - he can and often will - lie to you. Especially if he has some
monetary interest in doing so. Let me show you how easily this can work. Take, for example, the
words of Christ in Mk. 16:16. There the Lord says clearly, he who believes and is baptized will
be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. By reading this verse, you can know
what Christ says is essential if one is to be saved. The Lord says that it takes both belief and
baptism to result in salvation. However, someone might say to me after I read this verse, “But
that’s just your interpretation.” My friends, I have not put an interpretation upon the verse. I
have merely read it. The verse is neither difficult to read nor understand. The reason many
people, however, is not understanding it is because they have been lied to by some preacher or
priest. Someone has said to them, like the prophet in the story we considered a moment ago -
you can ignore what God has said, and listen to them, when they tell you that belief without
baptism results in salvation. I’ll tell you what the truth is on this matter, my friends. If we would
just lay aside what men have said and consult the teaching of God - then we would begin to
understand that teaching, and we would understand it alike, which is what God requires. But a
third reason for placing one’s own private interpretation upon the scriptures is this. “Well - you
know - times have changed since the bible was written. And because times have changed, we
cannot be expected to understand it as it was first written.” Ladies and gentlemen, I would
summarily lose my credibility with you if I told you there had not been many changes since the
bible was written, because there have. As a matter of fact the world has seen more changes in
the last [or twentieth] century than in its entire history. But, my friends, let me ask you this. Just
because a man today can travel by supersonic jet today instead of by horseback - has that
changed the teaching of God? If you say that it has, then - why? Why would a change in man’s
mode of transportation change the meaning of God’s word? And, consider this. Does just
because a family today can live in a 5000 square foot brick house instead of living in one room
cabin with a dirt floor and a thatched roof somehow change the teaching of the bible? If you say
it does, then be prepared to tell us why. Also, since a man dresses in a suit and tie today instead
of a flowing robe - does this mean the bible has changed its teaching? My friends, things might
be different today, but the teaching of God has not changed. This is true for two reasons. One is,
because God and his teaching will never change. This is something we are assured of in the
bible. Psa. 15:4 tells us that God does not change. Therefore, it stands to reason that the
teaching of God has not changed, regardless of any social changes that may have occurred. Peter
wrote in 1 Pet. 1:24-25, all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. Now
this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. Notice, my friends, the bible tells us
that the word of the Lord endures forever. This means it is solid, unmovable and unchangeable.
God does not change and neither do the words of God. And Peter said that this unchangeable
word of God is contained in the gospel. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached
to you. My friends, this should cause us to remember the assurance of Paul in Rom. 1:16, when
he said, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for
everyone who believes. And, the gospel is God’s power to save whether a man drives a BMW or
rides a donkey; whether he wears designer clothes or a robe and tunic. But, there is a second
reason why the teaching of God has not changed. And that is, because the nature of man has not
changed. Solomon said in Eccl. 1:9-10 that which has been is what will be, that which is done
is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it
may be said, see, this is new? It has already been in ancient times before us. The bible teaches
us that man is a sinner. Rom. 3:23 says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
And this has not changed, nor will it ever change regardless of all the changes that the world
may experience. The teaching of God remains the same, because God is the same and man’s
needs and nature has not changed, Man is a sinner and man needs saving. But, another reason
that many place their own private interpretation upon the scriptures is because they believe they
need further revelation to augment [or support] the bible. This is the opinion of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; The Mormon Church. The Mormon Church believes and
teaches that an additional gospel is needed. They believe that the book of Mormon is that added
gospel. Often you see representatives of the Mormon Church on television advertising the book
of Mormon as a companion to the gospel of Jesus Christ - the New Testament. Those, like the
Mormons, who believe the gospel of Christ is incomplete, and that more revelation is needed are
ripe for adopting the idea that the bible is subject to one’s own personal interpretation. This is
because they believe, it’s imperfect in the first place. But, the Mormon position, in practical
terms, is no different from those believing that they need the personal influence of the Holy
Spirit before they can understand the bible’s teaching. Many of our listeners are members of
churches where it is being taught that the Holy Spirit must come upon them in a personal and
direct way informing them of the true meaning of what the bible is saying, before they can
understand it. I can remember discussing the scriptures with those who call themselves
“Pentecostals” or “Full Gospel Christians.” These people conclude that the Holy Spirit is
actively telling each individual the true meaning of the scriptures. What this means is that -
whatever doctrinal position one takes - it is because he or she was told to take this position
directly by the Holy Spirit, regardless of what the bible says. The problem with this position is
threefold. One, the bible informs us that it consists of all the truth of God. Jude 3 says, beloved,
while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it
necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints. Here, we are told the faith has already been delivered, and that
believers are to earnestly contend with those who would pervert its purity. And, two as we have
already noted - this truth; this revealed body of faith is understandable. Paul says in Eph. 3:4,
when you read, you may understand. He did not say when you read that the Holy Spirit will
enlighten you - enabling you to understand the bible’s meaning. He said when you read the bible
you will understand it. But, the third thing wrong with the idea that it takes the Holy Spirit to
explain scripture before it can be understood is this. That makes all the conflicting doctrines the
responsibility of God and not man. That is, if the Holy Spirit tells one group that the bible
teaches that the Godhead is composed of only one person, namely Jesus. But then he tells
another group that the bible teaches that the Godhead consists of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit; three separate and distinct persons. Then you have God lying at worst and mistaken
at best - and causing total chaos. This would mean that God has told the Baptists that immersion
is scriptural baptism - while telling the Catholics and Methodists that sprinkling is scriptural
baptism. This makes God the architect of religious pandemonium. And we know according to 1
Cor. 14:33 that God is not the author of confusion.
CONCLUSION:
A. My good friends, the bible is not some loose-leaf notebook, which allows for you and me to
add to it or remove from it as we please. We are not permitted to place on the bible any
interpretation we might personally choose. We must read it as it is written, and abide within the
confines of its teaching. Jesus said in Jn. 12:48, he who rejects me, and does not receive my
words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
When Jesus used the word he, the Lord was referring to you and to me. He was referring to all
mankind. That is, it will be the words of Jesus that will judge us at the last day. Therefore, it is
imperative that you and I read them, and that we understand them, and that we obey them.
B. And with this I will close for today. I hope to see you during this week’s gospel meeting.
Stay tuned for some closing announcements and please join us again next week as we Search
the Scriptures. Until then, this is J.R. Bronger saying goodbye for now.