How should we interpret the Bible?

I was just thinking that it would be good for us to go over some basic principles for interpreting the Bible before we press on. It is often said that there are as many interpretations of the Bible as there people who try to interpret it. In reality, there is only one correct way in which the Bible should be interpreted, and that is according to the interpretation of the One Who wrote it. It really is a sad commentary on Christianity that we have so many denominations and sects. When I think of all the divisions that exist between us, I come to the conclusion that they have all originated from our lack of understanding of the truth. We often misinterpret, misapply, and mishandle the scriptures. We do this many times from our own selfish natures, but there is still room to lay some blame on our great enemy for this mass of confusion. So, I thought I would let you know how I go about studying the Bible. I thought I'd give to you some of the keys that have been given to me over the last 15 years, whereby the Bible has stopped being a scramble of unconnected stories that seem to contradict, and has become the living, breathing, Word of God.

1.) The very first thing that must be settled in your heart to properly understand the Bible is that it is the infallible Word of God. I know that it may seem a small point, but the Bible does say some pretty outrageous things at times. It asserts things that seem more like science fiction than anything that has really occurred. The problem with leaving this unsettled is that God tends to leave us in the dark about deeper truth if we reject the truth He has already supplied to us. He takes it personally when we don't take Him at His word.

2.) It is also important to understand what the Bible has been written for. The Bible is not a scientific text, but when it speaks to scientific matters, it is correct. We should never try to use science (or archeology, or philosophy, etc.) to prove the Bible, the Bible should be used to prove/disprove science (etc.). The Bible was written with the goal of salvation of the entirety of man's being (spirit, soul, and body) through a personal relationship with God Almighty (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

3.) The first mention principle is a valuable tool for interpretation. Simply stated, when a concept is first mentioned in the Bible, its meaning is set throughout the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. If God makes any changes in the meaning, it is very evident.

4.) The Bible will interpret itself. If you don't understand a portion of the scriptures, then keep reading. God wants us to understand His word. He won't leave us in the dark if we want to walk in the light.

5.) When God repeats Himself in His word: LISTEN. He is trying to get across a point to us. His word is His mind on the subject, and if He repeats Himself, it isn't to "hear His head roar," so-to-speak.

6.) Every part of the Bible is important... yes, even the genealogies. Some of the most precious gems are mined from some of the most boring parts of the Word.

7.) Read the Bible with an open mind. Don't allow traditions from your family, or your denomination, dictate to you what the Bible says. Honestly, I think that the majority of the time God has to deprogram us from what we've heard others say that the Bible teaches in order for us to learn what He really is teaching us.

8.) Don't separate what God has joined in the Bible, and don't join what God has separated. For example: spirit and soul are not the same thing. God makes a clear distinction between the two. Another example: Israel and the Church are not the same thing. Christians are not Jews, but they are not Gentiles either.

9.) Always take a passage of scripture in its context. The majority of the Bible has been written to saved individuals about how to live a Godly life. Some of the Bible is written for the salvation of unbelievers. Some of the Bible is addressed to the Jews, some of it is addressed to Christians, and some of it is applicable to everyone. Learn how to distinguish. God usually states who He is addressing in the context of the passage. For example, I am not living in sin because I don't go up to Jerusalem three times a year to sacrifice to the Lord. Similarly, it is okay for me to wear clothing that has mixed fibers in it. A Jew living under the Law could face death for these offenses. With that said, don't throw away the Old Testament, because it still has something to say to us.

10.) God hasn't always dealt with mankind in the same fashion. His dealings with mankind have varied. Thus, there have been different dispensations (God's management of the household) throughout history. Most people at least see Law and Grace. I see more like seven different dispensations as follows: Innocence (in the Garden of Eden), Conscience (Adam and Eve after the fall through to the Flood), Human Government (Flood to Tower of Babel), Promise (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, through to the giving of the Law at Sinai), Law (Sinai to the Cross), Grace (Cross to the Rapture), and Kingdom (1000 year reign of Christ). You could also divide the history of mankind in another way: when God dealt with mankind as a whole (Adam and Eve through to Tower of Babel), when God dealt with mankind through the Jew (Abraham to the Cross, and during Tribulation), and when God dealt with mankind through the Church (Cross to Rapture).

11.) Word studies are a wonderful tool. A word study is where you take a word or short phrase in the Bible, look up all its occurrences, and find the meaning behind the word through the context and a good Hebrew or Greek concordance. It does little good to read a book that you don't understand what the words mean that make it up. This also relates to the first mention principle, you can see what God has intended a particular word to mean just by looking at its first mention in the Word and applying it throughout. For example, "Leaven" is mentioned in a negative sense in the Old Testament. We shouldn't suddenly give it good connotations when God uses the same word in the New Testament.

12.) Where the Bible is silent, we should be silent. Where the Bible speaks, we should speak. In other words, don't try to force your own convictions or traditions into the interpretation. Only use what the Word of God actually teaches to prove your point. Use the Word to do your talking.

13.) Always interpret the Bible literally, unless the context requires allegorical interpretation.

14.) Always pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you His word. Ask Him to reveal to you the person of Jesus, and His plans for you and the world.

15.) Types will open up the word of God. Most people don't know what a type is. There are three Greek words in the New Testament that can be used to indicate a "type."

tupos (Strong's # G5179) - a die (as struck), i.e. a stamp or scar, a shape, i.e. a statue, or resemblance; a sampler (type), i.e. a model or instance.

This word is translated several ways: 1.) Print (John 20:25), 2.) Figure(s) (Acts 7:43, Romans 5:14), 3.) Fashion (Acts 7:44), 4.) Manner (Acts 23:25), 5.) Form (Romans 6:17), 6.) Example(s) (1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Timothy 4:12), 7.) Ensample(s) (1 Corinthians 10:11, Philippians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Peter 5:3) and 8.) Pattern (Titus 2:7, Hebrews 8:5).

hupogrammos (Strong's # G5261) - an underwriting, i.e. copy.

This word is translated as example (1 Peter 2:21).

hupodigma (Strong's # G5262) - an exhibit for imitation or warning.

This word is translated several ways: 1.) Example (John 13:15, Hebrews 4:11, 8:5, James 5:10), 2.) Pattern(s) (Hebrews 9:23), and 3.) Ensample (2 Peter 2:6).

The primary word used for "type" is "tupos." In fact, this is the place that the English word "type" comes from. Simply put, a type is an example. It is a representation of a truth that God desires for us to learn. God recorded in His word the events in the Old Testament and New Testament for the purpose of revealing His truth to us. These types show us about Jesus, the central figure of scripture, about prophesy, and about how we should live.

"Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25-27

For example, in the story of the fall, God killed an animal to make Adam and Eve coats of skins to clothe them. The animal is a type of Christ. Consider the following:

Animal (Type of Christ)

1.) The animal's identity was "unknown."

2.) God killed the animal.

3.) The animal's blood was shed.

4.) The animal was a substitute for Adam and Eve.

5.) The animal was innocent.

6.) The animal was used to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness (sin).

7.) God moved on behalf of Adam and Eve in response to their faith.

8.) Adam and Eve had no work to perform, God did it all.

Jesus Christ (Antitype)

1.) The world did not know Jesus when He was in it. (John 1:10)

2.) God gave His only begotten Son. The Son laid down His life, no man took it from Him. (John 3:16, 10:17-18)

3.) It is obvious that Jesus' blood was shed. (Revelations 1:5)

4.) Jesus was killed for us. He bore the punishment that was due us. (Romans 3:25)

5.) Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God. (Hebrews 4:15)

6.) Jesus Christ's blood not only covers, it cleanses us from our sin. (Hebrews 9:7-14)

7.) Jesus died on our behalf. When we believe in faith, He saves us. (Ephesians 2:1-9, Romans 5:8)

8.) Man has no work to perform. God does it all. (Ephesians 2:1-9)

There are many more examples throughout scripture of types. There are types of Christ, types of Christians, types of the Children of Israel, types of God the Father, types of the Holy Spirit, types that illustrate God's plan for mankind, etc. These types will help you understand the word of God, and have a proper interpretation of it. Types also build upon one another. They give a progressive illumination of the truths of God. For example, the animal sacrificed by God in the Garden builds upon the truth revealed to us in the restoration of the Earth. In the restoration of the Earth, we learned that it is God that moves to restore a ruined creation, but we learn nothing about the need for the shedding of blood, or the need for a substitute. God has carefully designed His word so that He can use it to build us up into a mature knowledge of Him. He has recorded exactly what He wants us to know, and He has recorded it in the order He wants us to learn it.

16.) Begin studying the Word of God where He began it - in Genesis. End where He ends - in Revelation. You can't understand Revelation until you have some understanding of Genesis. Genesis is more fully explained by Revelation than it is when looked at alone. The Bible is a progressive revelation, but it is also a cohesive whole.

17.) Numbers and colors are also pretty important in scripture. For example the number 6 is the number of man. On the 6th day man was created. Blue is the color of heaven. Numbers and colors do have significance.

I am sure that I have left out something that I use as a guideline, but the ones that I have listed will get you pretty far. These are the guidelines that I use, and I have found them to be a necessary help to properly interpreting scripture.