The four characteristics of Scripture: Clarity (Pages 105 -115)
Some parts of the Bible are easy to understand....and some are not.
"So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. there are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures." 2 Peter 3:15-16
But most things are clear and easy to understand in the Bible.
As lay Christians, we should obey what Moses says of the scriptures, and "teach them diligently to your children, talk of them when you sit in your house," Deutoronomy 6:6-7
It was never assumed that Christians should just listen to or memorize scripture, but rather that they should delve into scripture!
"The clarity of Scripture means that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God's help and being willing to follow it."
Why do people misunderstand scripture?
"There were also times when this was due to their own lack of faith or hardness of heart."
IN order to help people avoid making mistakes in interpreting Scripture, many Bible teachers have developed "principles of interpretation" or guidelines to encourage growth in the skill of proper interpretation. (i.e. hermeneutics and exegesis)
We believers will not agree on all the teachings of Scripture, but keep in mind:
"THE PROBLEM always lies not with Scripture but with ourselves."
Sometimes, "we are seeking to make affirmations where Scripture itself is silent."
And on the other hand, "it is possible that we have made mistakes in our interpretation of Scripture."
Despite our disagreements, "we must not forget that there has been an amazing amount of doctrinal agreement on the most central truths of Scripture throughout the history of the church."
Closing questions from Wayne Grudem:
1. If the scripture has so much clarity, why does there seem to be so much disagreement among Christians about the teaching of the Bible?
2. What would happen to the church if most people gave up reading the bible for themselves and only listened to teachers? Do we already do this?
Some parts of the Bible are easy to understand....and some are not.
"So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. there are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures." 2 Peter 3:15-16
But most things are clear and easy to understand in the Bible.
As lay Christians, we should obey what Moses says of the scriptures, and "teach them diligently to your children, talk of them when you sit in your house," Deutoronomy 6:6-7
It was never assumed that Christians should just listen to or memorize scripture, but rather that they should delve into scripture!
"The clarity of Scripture means that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God's help and being willing to follow it."
Why do people misunderstand scripture?
"There were also times when this was due to their own lack of faith or hardness of heart."
IN order to help people avoid making mistakes in interpreting Scripture, many Bible teachers have developed "principles of interpretation" or guidelines to encourage growth in the skill of proper interpretation. (i.e. hermeneutics and exegesis)
We believers will not agree on all the teachings of Scripture, but keep in mind:
"THE PROBLEM always lies not with Scripture but with ourselves."
Sometimes, "we are seeking to make affirmations where Scripture itself is silent."
And on the other hand, "it is possible that we have made mistakes in our interpretation of Scripture."
Despite our disagreements, "we must not forget that there has been an amazing amount of doctrinal agreement on the most central truths of Scripture throughout the history of the church."
Closing questions from Wayne Grudem:
1. If the scripture has so much clarity, why does there seem to be so much disagreement among Christians about the teaching of the Bible?
2. What would happen to the church if most people gave up reading the bible for themselves and only listened to teachers? Do we already do this?
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