Principles of Biblical Interpretation Since the Bible is a propositional revelation, then these hermeneutical principles are expected: Since the Bible is a propositional revelation, then these hermeneutical principles are expected: – DIRECT STATEMENTS Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. – IMPLICATION Non-trivial statements imply something. Non-trivial statements imply something. To say “no” begs the question. To say “no” begs the question. – ACCOUNTS OF ACTION IN HISTORY God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology. – EXPEDIENCY No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency In order to carry out the Christian’s obligation from direct statements, implications and accounts of approved action, there is the area of expediency. In order to carry out the Christian’s obligation from direct statements, implications and accounts of approved action, there is the area of expediency. An expedient is that which: An expedient is that which: – Expedites – Aids – Assists – Helps – Benefits – Is inherently advantageous in carrying out obligations or options (not forbidden) – Is in harmony with the Scriptures

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Some criteria in choosing expedients: Some criteria in choosing expedients: – Expedients benefit authorized actions (Col. 3:17). What we do must be authorized. Ex: baptize in water What we do must be authorized. Ex: baptize in water – Expedients must not add to authorized actions. There’s a difference between “benefitting” & “adding.” There’s a difference between “benefitting” & “adding.” – Expedients are essential to carry out authorized actions. Ex: Command to assemble makes a place & time essential. Ex: Command to assemble makes a place & time essential. – The type of expedient is optional. Assembly in a tent, on beach, in building. Rent, buy, in a home. Assembly in a tent, on beach, in building. Rent, buy, in a home. – Expedients must truly be beneficial (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23). May not be helpful even if lawful May not be helpful even if lawful – Expedients must not be enslaving (1 Cor. 6:12). Some traditions fall into this area. Some traditions fall into this area. – Expedients must be edifying (1 Cor. 10:23). The order of worship is an expedient but should not be confusing. The order of worship is an expedient but should not be confusing. – Expedients must be done in love (1 Cor. 16:14).

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency There is a difference between an “expedient” (an aid) and an “addition.” There is a difference between an “expedient” (an aid) and an “addition.” – Anything which is not authorized by Scripture, but which is nonetheless employed, is an addition. – A true aid, an expedient, is authorized by the Scriptures.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: – Command: “Go into all the world and preach…” We could go by WALKING; we can go by RIDING (2 diff options). We could go by WALKING; we can go by RIDING (2 diff options). These 2 options have a direct relationship to the obligation (“Go”) but no particular relationship to each other. Walking is not an aid (expedient) to riding, and riding is not an expedient to walking. These 2 options have a direct relationship to the obligation (“Go”) but no particular relationship to each other. Walking is not an aid (expedient) to riding, and riding is not an expedient to walking. A walking stick, used while walking, would be an expedient/aid. A walking stick, used while walking, would be an expedient/aid. – Simple illustration – the area of perception We perceive by HEARING; we perceive by SEEING (2 diff ways). We perceive by HEARING; we perceive by SEEING (2 diff ways). Hearing is not an expedient to seeing, nor seeing to hearing. Hearing is not an expedient to seeing, nor seeing to hearing. These are definite, distinct ways of perceiving = co-ordinates These are definite, distinct ways of perceiving = co-ordinates Either one can be done without the other. Either one can be done without the other. Eyeglasses would be an expedient/aid to seeing. Eyeglasses would be an expedient/aid to seeing. A hearing aid would be an expedient/aid to hearing. A hearing aid would be an expedient/aid to hearing.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: – What about “making music” in worship to God? We make music by SINGING; we make music by PLAYING. We make music by SINGING; we make music by PLAYING. Singing & mechanical instruments are two different ways of making music = co-ordinates. Singing & mechanical instruments are two different ways of making music = co-ordinates. Either one can be done without the other. Either one can be done without the other. Singing is not an expedient/aid to playing. Singing is not an expedient/aid to playing. Playing is not an expedient/aid to singing. Playing is not an expedient/aid to singing. The songbook is an expedient/aid to singing. The songbook is an expedient/aid to singing. Having someone lead the congregation is an expedient/aid to singing. Having someone lead the congregation is an expedient/aid to singing. When we use the songbook in our singing, we are JUST SINGING. We are NOT SINGING AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE. When we use the songbook in our singing, we are JUST SINGING. We are NOT SINGING AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE. When God commands us in the NT to sing in worship to Him, to play an instrument is to ADD to His Word. When God commands us in the NT to sing in worship to Him, to play an instrument is to ADD to His Word.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Expediency increases the practicality, endurance & far- reaching application of God’s revelation. Expediency increases the practicality, endurance & far- reaching application of God’s revelation. It is through expediency that we have and can defend: It is through expediency that we have and can defend: – Our church buildings – Our baptistries – Our teaching in simultaneous Bible classes, adults & children – Our song books – Our song leaders – Our invitation songs – Our individual communion cups – Our contribution baskets – Our prayer leaders in the assembly – Our chalkboards, white boards, PowerPoint projectors, etc. – Our public address systems, video recording, etc.

Two Ways to Look at the Question of Authority The Bible is a document to be praised and held on to, but one to be amended on occasion. The Bible is a document to be praised and held on to, but one to be amended on occasion. – We are not limited by what Scripture teaches, affirms or commands. The Bible is a document to be praised and held on to. The Bible is a document to be praised and held on to. – What the Bible affirms, the church believes. – What the Bible commands, the church obeys. – What the Bible prohibits, the church avoids. – What the Bible authorizes, the church goes not beyond.

Generic & Specific Authority Generic AuthoritySpecific Authority “SHOES” Includes all authorized “NIKE” Excludes all not authorized Reebok, Adidas, K-Swiss, etc. “JEWISH MAN” Includes all authorized Tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, etc. “JEWISH MAN OF THE TRIBE OF LEVI” Excludes all not authorized Tribes of Reuben,Simeon, Judah, etc. “MUSIC” Includes all authorized Sing, Play “SING” Excludes all not authorized Play Hebrews 7:13-14 Ephesians 5:19

Common Sense & the Relation of Generic/Specific Authority and Inclusive/Exclusive Physician to Pharmacist – “Give the patient whatever antibiotic you have.” Physician to Pharmacist – “Give the patient whatever antibiotic you have.” – GENERIC (ANY antibiotic) and INCLUSIVE (penicillin, etc.) – GENERIC (ANY antibiotic) and EXCLUSIVE (antacids, etc.) Physician to Pharmacist – “Give the patient 250mg of tetracycline 3 times a day.” Physician to Pharmacist – “Give the patient 250mg of tetracycline 3 times a day.” – SPECIFIC (tetracycline) and INCLUSIVE (various drug companies manufacture specific brands) – SPECIFIC (tetracycline) and EXCLUSIVE (all other drugs/dosages) God to Man – “Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). God to Man – “Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). – SPECIFIC (sing) and INCLUSIVE (songbook, tuning fork, etc.) – SPECIFIC (sing) and EXCLUSIVE (playing)

The Bible Teaches (Authorizes) Explicitly & Implicitly EXPLICITTEACHING EXPLICITLY AUTHORIZED (OBLIGATION) EXPLICITLYUNAUTHORIZED (FORBIDDEN) SingGive AssembleLord’s Supper PreachPray AdulteryStealing MurderGossip LyingBitterness IMPLICITTEACHING IMPLICITLY AUTHORIZED (OPTIONAL EXPEDIENTS) IMPLICITLYUNAUTHORIZED (FORBIDDEN) Song Books Class Literature ContributionBasket Communion Tray Church Building Burning Incense Counting Beads Sprinkling Infant Baptism InstrumentalMusic

Obligatory & Optional Matters In obligatory matters, there must be unity. In obligatory matters, there must be unity. In optional matters, there must be liberty. In optional matters, there must be liberty. In all matters, there must be love. In all matters, there must be love. We must not treat obligatory matters as if they were optional (Rom. 10:17). We must not treat obligatory matters as if they were optional (Rom. 10:17). We must not treat optional matters as if they were obligatory (Gal. 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-5). We must not treat optional matters as if they were obligatory (Gal. 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-5).

A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Affirming that the Bible is the Word of God By Affirming that the Bible is the Word of God – The Bible (every word of it) is the result of the verbal, plenary inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17) By Acknowledging It Can Be Understood Alike By Acknowledging It Can Be Understood Alike – Understanding the Bible is not only possible, understanding the Bible IS EXPECTED! – Understanding it at all IS TO UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE! That’s the only way to understand it. That’s the only way to understand it. There’s no such thing as understanding differently. There’s no such thing as understanding differently. – We understand it ALIKE UNTIL we get in the way!

A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Distinguishing Between the Old & the New By Distinguishing Between the Old & the New By Accepting That the Bible Is All-Authoritative, All- Sufficient & All-Delivered By Accepting That the Bible Is All-Authoritative, All- Sufficient & All-Delivered By Making Proper & Necessary Distinctions By Making Proper & Necessary Distinctions – The Merely Reported & the Authorized – Circumstance & Condition – The Temporary & the Permanent – Faith & Opinion – Custom & Law

A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Properly Interpreting the Bible By Properly Interpreting the Bible – First – Gather All the Relevant Evidence on a Biblical Question or Subject – Second – Handle the Evidence Correctly – Third – Draw Only (and All) Such Conclusions As Are Justified (i.e., Warranted, Demanded) By the Evidence. By Knowing How the Bible Authorizes By Knowing How the Bible Authorizes – The Necessity for Authority in Religious Matters – God Demands Biblical Authority for All That We Do – God Will Not Tolerate That Which Is Not Authorized – We Must Know How God Does Not Authorize

A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Knowing the Bible Authorizes By: By Knowing the Bible Authorizes By: – Direct Statement – Implication – Accounts of Approved Action – Expediency By Understanding Generic & Specific Authority By Understanding Generic & Specific Authority