God's word is eternal, authoritative, absolute truth. Yet, in every generation and culture, sincere Christians argue for contradictory interpretations. How can we be confident that we know what God said, how we should obey him, or even figure out how we should answer these questions?
God's word is eternal, authoritative, absolute truth. Yet, in every generation and culture, sincere Christians argue for contradictory interpretations. How can we be confident that we know what God said, how we should obey him, or even figure out how we should answer these questions?
To develop a reasonable, humble, and Christ-centered confidence as we interpret and honor God's Word together.
If I open Google Maps and search for "church," I can find dozens of options within a few miles of my home. Yet immediately I'm confronted with a challenge: each one uses a different translation of the Bible, teaches different doctrines, and emphasizes different priorities. So, where should I go to church?
The differences are not just geographical, but biographical. I grew up as a member of The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip. The Cathedral is where I was baptized as an infant and first experienced the love of God. After college, I joined North Point Community Church, led by Andy Stanley. He taught that baptism was for adults, and so, I got baptized again at their church!
So, who's right? The Episcopal Church of 1980 or 2025? The Southern Baptist Church of 1950 (which defended segregation) or of 2025 (which officially condemns racism)?
Let's assume we sincerely want to know the truth about God, and not believe whatever our "group" already believes. From dinner tables to denominational synods, from ancient councils to online forums, Christians have debated an uncountable number of questions. Who's right? How do we know?
If God's Word is a lamp unto our feet, then why does it seem to illuminate different, even contradictory paths?
Depending on how you count, there are tens of thousands of different Christian denominations. They disagree about baptism, church governance, spiritual gifts, sexual ethics, political allegiances, and a multitude of other issues. If pastors, scholars, and entire denominations can't agree, what hope does an individual Christian have of correctly understanding God's will?
The fear can creep in: no one really knows. Everyone has an opinion, but no one has the answer. When so many claim to represent God, how can we discern his voice?
We proclaim that God is love (1 John 4:16). But our friends, neighbors, classmates, and family point out that parts of the Bible don't seem to portray God in a very good light.
How could a good God use a flood to kill everyone but Noah and his family? Send a plague on all the firstborn of Egypt? Command warfare against the Canaanites, to drive them out of their land?
For others, a pastor used their authority, and the claims of Scripture, to take advantage of them financially, sexually, or otherwise. After these experiences, it's challenging to trust anyone's preaching.
Perhaps one reason for all the division is the challenge of applying a text that was written two or three thousand years ago to contemporary questions. The Bible doesn't directly address electricity, the internet, social media, artificial intelligence, or CRISPR gene-editing, because none of those had been invented.
These issues—constant disagreement, hurtful doctrines, and interpretative challenges—are not experienced in isolation. Often, we're wrestling with all three of them at the same time! So, how can we gain confidence to read the Bible?
Matthew 22 records how an expert in the law came to test Jesus. With absolute mastery, Jesus perfectly summarized the essence of God's revelation: Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor as yourself. Then he adds the kicker: "All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands" (Matthew 22:40, CSB).
Therefore, it's on the authority of Jesus that we know how to interpret every verse in the Bible. God was always guiding us to love him and love others. So whenever it seems that a passage contradicts this foundation, keep researching.
But immediately, we have to ask: what does it mean to 'love'? Thankfully, Jesus not only talked about love, but put it into action. He didn't offer generic niceness, but gave his life on the cross. So, to love is to purposefully sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of others.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he famously appeared to two dejected disciples who were walking to Emmaus. In this conversation, Jesus, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets...interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27).
This gives us a second principle for reading the Bible: how does this passage point to Jesus? We need to learn, as the disciples did in their day-long seminar with Jesus, how to see how each part helps us to know him better.
How would you feel about seeing a man standing over you with a knife, his eyes gleaming with confidence, as he prepares to cut you open?
Well, are you in a hospital or a battlefield? The answer to the question depends on the story you're in.
The Biblical narrative offers an entirely different trajectory. It develops in four major acts:
**Creation**: God perfectly creates everything and everyone good. He forms humanity in his image to represent his interests, and steward his creation.
**Fall**: We rebelled against God, introducing sin, death, and disharmony into every interaction. This evil is the fundamental problem in our world.
**Redemption**: In love, God graciously reveals his plan to rescue and restore. This plan finds its fulfillment in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.
**New Creation**: Soon, God will fully realize the ultimate hope of his kingdom. All things will be made new, all evil will be eradicated, and God will dwell with his redeemed people.
So, as we interpret the Bible, we ask: How does this fit into God's plan to redeem all things?
As we weigh which authorities to trust, one critical test is the quality of their lives. Though we need God's forgiveness and are saved by grace alone, we are called to discern the work of God in transforming us. Instead of prioritizing charisma, eloquence, or physical appearance, it is far more important that we look for shepherds who are humble and holy.
We need the help of Biblical scholars, theologians, ethicists, and other professionals who dedicate themselves to formal training, extensive study, and careful reflection on these difficult questions.
As I have sought to find firm theological grounding for how to read the Scriptures, I turn to The Nicene Creed and The Cape Town Commitment. In particular, The Cape Town Commitment is structured to help us love God and love others, centers our attention on Jesus, connects contemporary issues to the Biblical story, and guides us to imitate Christ.
Most likely written by Robert Keene, this hymn is beloved for reminding us that God is with us, in all our trials, to refine us and prepare us for eternity.
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word! What more can be said than to you God hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"
Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him... He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn't it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures... Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
What clues does Luke give us to the emotional state of Cleopas and his companion?
What Old Testament passages might Jesus have referenced?
Jesus rebukes them for being 'slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken.' What are some reasons we resist believing the teaching of the Scripture?
The disciples recall that their hearts were burning within them while they talked to Jesus. Has studying the Bible ever given you a similar experience?
The disciples only recognize Jesus when they welcome him to stay with them. How does knowing Jesus change how we read the Bible?
God, thank you for the gift of the Scriptures. Forgive us for how we have twisted it to justify loving ourselves and taking advantage of others. Forgive us for our pride, our tribalism, our self-righteousness, and our arrogance. Forgive us for wanting to feel right more than to be right. We need you to give us humility so we can learn from you and others.
Jesus, you are the living Word of God, the ultimate revelation of God. Thank you for understanding our weaknesses, teaching us to read the Bible, and showing us what it means to love. Your death on the cross for our sins, and your resurrection from the dead, have changed everything for us. Teach us to follow you.
Holy Spirit, you are the Spirit of Truth. Lead us into all truth. Protect us from error and empower us to obey. When we are divided over how to read the Bible, help us to love each other, to seek the truth together, and to live with the holiness you call us to demonstrate.
What's one doctrinal belief you've changed after studying the Bible? Why?
How often do you read the Bible?
Describe a time you disagreed with a friend on how to interpret the Bible. What did you do well? What do you wish you'd done differently?
What helps you to understand what you read? Why do you trust that resource?
What makes it hard for me to understand the Bible?
What's one thing I learned in this lesson that will help me going forward?
What's one area of my life that I know is not aligned with loving God and my neighbor?
Develop a plan for reading, understanding, and applying the Bible to my life.
Ask a friend to join me in this plan (or consider joining their plan).
Review your life plan. Are you fitting God into your story, or placing your life in God's story?
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