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| Q: | I had a question regarding interpretation of the Bible. In the "This We Believe" essay, the authors clearly state that "Scripture is a unified whole, true, and without error in everything it says... (p.5, part 8)." Why then, does the church fail to practice, or outright reject, particular sections of the Bible? This case is very clear in the Old Testament. As just one example, refer to Deuteronomy 22:22. Basically the passage says that a man and a woman who commit adultery must be put to death. The verse is very clear. Adulterers must be executed. Yet your church does not endorse this law. Why? Why are you not outraged at the current laws regarding adultery? Would you kill those who commit adultery if the law allowed it? Please respond to my question of why some passages are accepted, and other ignored. Thank you. | ||||||
| A: | Scripture remains, in its entirety, true and without error. You correctly identify that as our doctrine and conviction. That is good. What you fail to do is take a look at these true and trustworthy Bible statements in their context, noting who was speaking, who was being addressed, the nature of the message being revealed by God, etc. On the Deuteronomy passage you cite, for example, the context clearly tells us that the Lord is addressing (through Moses) the new generation of Israelites, giving them civil laws to govern them as they enter the promised land of Canaan, and reminding them that their social conduct was to reflect their relationship with him through the Mosaic (Sinaitic) covenant. Beyond those people, that nation, the words have no divinely mandated application for the rest of mankind, even though the words were true and accurate as given in the Bible. Remember that God spoke his (true and authoritative) Word to a variety of people and nations in the Bible. Some of these (equally true and inerrant) messages applied only to some people and some only for a certain period of time (for example, until Christ came to fulfill many of the promises). Some of these words of God are words that give specific but temporary applications to more general and perpetual principles. The passage dealing with taking the life of adulterers was a civil law for the nation of Israel, was never said by God to apply to all nations and people, but was a specific application of a moral principle that does apply to all people ("You shall not commit adultery" in the Decalog). The New Testament emphasizes the sin of adultery but not the capital punishment once connected to it. Alert Bible readers will note these distinctions that the Bible itself makes. Reading the Bible in its God-given context allows the Bible to interpret itself, to indicate to readers what applies specifically to us or not, and will teach us to avoid a mechanical and artificial use of Bible words that misses some very important distinctions. I invite you to get a copy of a good book that will guide you through basic principles of Bible interpretation, principles that will safeguard the Bible's explanation of itself. Available from our publishing house [www.nph.wels.net] is "Biblical interpretation: the only right way" by Professor David Kuske. Blessings on your study of these important issues! | ||||||
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