Fundamental Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Seldom has a series of articles been secured for The Ministry offering greater spiritual stimulus or richer returns than these studies on the wonders of the atonement. Chosen to be the last-day exponents of the sanctuary message—which constitutes our one distinct contribution to the complete and perfect system of revealed truth—we are admonished to dig as never before into the mine of inspiration to gather out its exhaustless treasures regarding the atonement. We must tie all our presentations to the cross and the priestly ministry of Christ as the central verity of the gospel, vindicating the justice of God and establishing the immutability of His law. We must stand forth as the supreme exponents of this heavenly blending of justice and mercy, law and grace, truth and love, that will ever remain the wonder of time and of all eternity.— Editor.
Widely different theories of the atonement are held by Christian bodies. Some hold that the atonement was made on the cross. Others hold that on the cross provision was made for atonement, but that no atonement was made as such; still others hold that what was done on the cross had significance as a demonstration only, and had no atoning value, It is not our intention to discuss all the points that might be raised, nor indeed to discuss exhaustively any one point. There are some things, however, which we may consider with profit.
There is no question of greater importance than that of the atonement. Some take the position that it is enough for us to know that Jesus died for our sins, and that we need not delve further into the matter. They doubt that any good can come from a theoretical study of what Christ has done for us and the way it was done. Yet, if it be considered appropriate to study the state of the dead, might it not also be appropriate to study the death of our Substitute? If scientists spend a life-time studying beetles and worms, may not Christians consider it profitable to study the deeper aspects of salvation?
As surely as there is a science of the natural world, so is there a science of salvation which can profitably employ the minds of those who are to be heirs of God. The true minister will ever be studying and learning, and no field will be neglected which will aid him in a better understanding of the plan of God.
Not only have we a right to study the atonement, but years ago a reproof came to us through the Spirit of prophecy for not studying it. (Mrs. E. G. White is the author of each of the quotations used in this article, and in each case the italics are mine.)
"The mediatorial work of Christ, the grand and holy mysteries of redemption, are not studied or comprehended by the people who claim to have light in advance of every other people on the face of the earth."—Review and Herald, Feb. 4, 1890.
The question may be raised whether there is any possibility of understanding these mysteries. Note this statement:
"The idea that certain portions of the Bible cannot be understood has led to neglect of some of its most important truths. The fact needs to be emphasized, and often repeated, that the mysteries of the Bible are not such because God has sought. to conceal truth, but because our own weakness or ignorance makes us incapable of comprehending or appropriating truth. The limitation is not in its purpose, but in our capacity."—Signs of the Times, April 25, 1906.
If there are things that we do not understand, we are not always justified in believing that God has hid them from us. It may be that "our own weakness or ignorance makes us incapable of comprehending or appropriating truth." This should cause all of us to do some serious thinking. God does not want us to pass by certain portions of Scripture because we think they are hard to understand.
"Of those very portions of Scripture so often passed by as impossible to be understood, God desires us to understand as much as our minds are capable of receiving. 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' that we may be 'thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' "—Ibid.
"No one can search the Scriptures in the Spirit of Christ without being rewarded. When a man is willing to be instructed as a little child, when he submits wholly to Christ, he will find the truth in His word. If men would be obedient, they would understand the plan of God's government. The heavenly world would open its treasures of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would be altogether different from what they are now; for by exploring the mines of truth, men would be ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they are now, vague in our minds. They would be, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated."—Id., Sept. 12, 1906.
Proper Spirit of Approach
Theology must not be studied in cold blood. Only he who is aglow with the love of God, only he who feels .the warmth of human personality, only he who has himself been touched with the celestial fire, should either study or teach it. Such a vital subject as the atonement loses its appeal and power when considered without reference to personal application. On the other hand, "if men would be obedient, they would understand." "Treasures of grace and glory" would be opened to them, and the deep things of God, such as the "mystery of redemption, the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they are now, vague in our minds."
The subject of the incarnation is probably as deep a study as can engage the mind. Yet we are told that "the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth."—Youth's Instructor, Oct. 13, 1898.
With this in mind, study the following message:
"Salvation depends upon our knowledge of God's will as contained in His word. Never cease asking and searching for truth. It is God's will that you shall know what He has said to you. But you must exercise faith. As you search the Scriptures, you must believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
"Search, O search the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food. Dig into the Word as the miner digs into the earth to find the veins of gold. Do not give up your search till you have ascertained your relation to God and His will concerning you.
" 'Search the Scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.' To search means to look diligently for something. Search for the hidden treasures in God's word. You cannot afford to be without them. Study the difficult passages, comparing verse with verse, and you will find that scripture is the key which unlocks scripture. Those who prayerfully study the Bible go from each search wiser than they were before."—Signs of the Times, Sept. 5, 1906.
Let these phrases sink deep into the consciousness of all: "Salvation depends upon;" "never cease asking ;" "it is God's will;" "search, O search ;" "do not give up ;" "you cannot afford;" "study the difficult passages;" "go from each search wiser."
Basic Principles of Investigation
In the study of any subject we would warn against the too-common error of drawing conclusions based upon insufficient knowledge. As far as possible all available facts upon a given subject should be collected and assimilated before an attempt is made to form an opinion. It is not safe to pronounce finally upon a matter until all the evidence bearing upon the case has been examined. Whether it is the Bible or the teachings of the Testimonies that are under consideration, it is unsafe to ignore any phase of the subject and form judgment from partial, incomplete facts. There must be thorough and unbiased investigation. The conclusions reached must be in harmony with a fair and honest evaluation of all known factors.
It is taken for granted that the earnest student of the Word has a sincere desire to know the truth for the purpose of doing it and sharing it with others. The sincere student is a praying student, a consecrated student, a working student. Given such a student, the next requisite is proper procedure in the search for truth. The following rules from a well-known work will guide. A disciplined mind, consecrated to the service of God and humanity, is needed for the study of the vital things of God. Only such a mind can—
1. Patiently gather all available facts.
2. Hold in its grasp many facts at once.
3. Educe by continuous reflection their connecting principles.
4. Suspend final judgment until the conclusions reached are verified by Scripture and/or experience.
First, there must be a patient gathering of all available facts. This will often demand taxing labor, and not all are willing to do this. Some are satisfied with letting others do this for them while they benefit from the results. This may be done in some cases, but ordinarily it is not a satisfactory procedure. In a matter as important as that of salvation, it is unsafe to rely solely upon the findings of others. The command of the Master to search the Scriptures applies to all. Especially must teachers and ministers have good reasons for neglecting that which God has commanded them to do. They are handling the Word, and they should beware of accepting secondhand that which they might obtain firsthand. The Bible and the Testimonies are filled with admonition to study the Word. There is danger that in our constant activity for God, we shall forget that it is as serious to break the command of Christ to search the Scriptures as to violate any other of God's commandments. Our effort to get people to keep the commandments of God must be buttressed by our own keeping of them.
After having patiently gathered the facts, it is necessary for one to keep all the facts in the mind at once. Children ordinarily can do only one thing at a time, and are not able to hold more than one thing in the mind at once. The intelligent student will need to practice in order to hold many facts in the mind at once. Stress must not be placed on one set of facts to the exclusion of other facts. This matter is important. Most heresy and departure from the truth come from an inability to hold many facts in the mind at once. Some get hold of one fact, and do not balance this fact against other facts. The fact or facts they dwell on become increasingly more and more important to them. They lose perspective. They lose balance.
That which may be right in itself can easily be distorted out of all proportion. When men lay all the stress on one or two facts, they are unable to consider the larger aspects of the question, and cannot balance such facts as they have against other known or available facts. They set aside, refuse to consider, or are mentally incapable of a balanced consideration of all known factors, and so arrive at a biased conclusion. Such people are ordinarily unable to see wherein they come short. If they had a disciplined mind, they would be able to hold many facts in the mind at once, and would dispassionately consider them in their right perspective.
_______ To be continued in May
