- Jer 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Our assumptions about scripture and the rules we use to guide our interpretation effect the ultimate meaning that we get from scripture. It is important to evaluate those assumptions and rules to ensure that they permit the scriptures to speak for themselves rather than permitting us to impose our own meaning upon them.
My assumptions and convictions are these:
- 1. The Bible is the word of God which has been protected for us in such a manner that it is considered infallible in every jot and tittle. [1]
- 2. It is acknowledged that there are variant texts in existing manuscripts. By using the proper methods of interpretation, as taught by the apostles, errant manuscripts may be discerned by the 'security paper' of the mystery. [2]
- 3. The meaning of the Bible is contained in multiple layers as described by the church from the earliest days [3], as a literal and a spiritual layer. These layers are in complete agreement with each other in every way. Apparent contradictions are intentional riddles describing two sides of the issue. [4]
- 4. The hidden spiritual layer is discerned using methods taught by the apostles in the New Testament. It is called the meat of the gospel, whereas the literal meaning is called the milk of the gospel. The milk is sufficient for salvation. The meat provides the spiritual nourishment to enable a mature faith and walk.[5]
The rules are discerned using the same methods as discerning the mystery, so it should be expected that those practicing literal methods may disagree with how the rules are determined. That doesn't matter. The mystery needs to be evaluated to see if it is self-consistent as well as if it produces verifiable, meaningful, and orthodox [6] results.
Consequence of not doing self-examination:: The measure of truth becomes the individual and the standard changes to meet your own goals.
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