1. INTRODUCTION AND PLAN

Like many Christians, I have read and pondered and studied the Bible almost daily for more than 40 years. But no matter how much study any of us do, Christians come to different conclusions about how to interpret these scriptures. How to interpret the Bible is a major issue, probably THE major issue, for Christians across the world today. So we must keep the conversations going…

THE BIBLE is the main authority we turn to when we ask questions about how we should live. Many Christians think of the Bible as the ONLY authority. Certainly, without it we would be lost, not least because we’d know very little about Jesus’ life and teaching.

The Bible doesn’t exist in isolation, though. There is already a long history of interpretation which can help (and which may also need challenging). This is sometimes called TRADITION.

And we do this work of interpretation together, not as individuals (though of course individuals contribute), but as THE CHURCH, challenging and encouraging one another and trying to come to a common mind. THE CHURCH is ultimately Christ’s Church, all believers. So, while CHURCH will start with our local fellowship, it includes the Church everywhere: those nearby from different denominations, and Christians across the world. The potential for challenging one another and enriching one another is brilliant. But so is the potential for misunderstanding, disagreement and division.

Crucially, we do our exploration of every issue prayerfully listening, trusting God to guide us by his Spirit, THE HOLY SPIRIT, the source of all inspiration for Scripture and the unseen one who is alongside us always. Jesus is recorded as saying that the Holy Spirit would lead his followers into all truth.

These four sources of authority (THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE BIBLE, THE CHURCH and TRADITION) are all intertwined and inseparable.

The Bible as we know it didn’t drop from heaven. The contents of both Old and New Testaments were eventually agreed at Church councils in the 4^th Century, although disagreement between Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Churches continues to this day about which books to include in the Old Testament (OT). And a few passages in the New Testament (NT) are thought to be later additions and are usually included in our Bibles with a note to say this.

The 27 documents which comprise the New Testament were chosen because they were regularly used and trusted for teaching the faith. Thus, they were the product of TRADITION, and then agreed on by THE CHURCH, in the belief that they were acting under the guidance of THE HOLY SPIRIT.  Most of the writings included in the Bible were well accepted and non-controversial but several were strongly contested, and some still are.

In the next few posts, I’ll try to record some of the key issues which help me interpret the Bible today. They are waymarks on my journey of ‘faith seeking understanding’ (to use the simple and wonderfully helpful words of St Anselm who was a theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury in the 12^th century).

The posts will (hopefully) run as below. There is some logic to the order, but feel free to pick and choose!

1. Introduction to Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (this one!)
2. Some Pointers which help us handle Scripture wisely.
3. Our Relationship with God has Priority over Obedience to the Law
4. Using the phrase ‘God’s Word’
5. A selective Introduction to the Old Testament
6. A selective Introduction to the New Testament
7. A Spectrum of Truth (1)
8. A Spectrum of Truth (2)
9. The Bible is an Inclusive Book
10. The Bible is a very Human Book (1)
11. The Bible is a very Human Book (2)
12. The Bible as a Window on God
13. Our Insecurity can Blind us
14. A Canon within the Canon
15. The ‘Ten Words’ or Ten Commandments
16. Some Concluding Thoughts about Interpreting the Bible Today