thoughts ponderings
The Science of Interpretation
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In my next
article I will
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continue with more
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methods of biblical
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interpretation.
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E-mail (approx. 100
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greenebt@montreat. edu
by Tyler Greene
With the last few articles I
have attempted to show you the
necessity for studying the Scrip
tures. I believe most people at
Montreat understand this and so
I thought it would be helpful to
go over some of the methods of
interpreting the Scriptures in the
next few articles.
The first and most important
one is called “the analogy of
faith.” It is most commonly
known as “Scripture interprets
Scripture.” What it teaches is
that since the Scriptures are,
without error, we may use them
to interpret them.
For example, if, while we
are reading Scripture, we come
across a perplexing passage that
seems to teach two different
things, one consistent with the
other parts of the Bible and the
other inconsistent, then we know
that since “the Scriptures never
err” (a saying of Martin Luther)
we must go with the one that is
consistent. The reason this is
helpful is that not all parts of the
Bible speak with the same clarity
on any given topic. Therefore,
we must understand the less
clear passages in light of the pas
sages which are clearer.
The Westminster Confession
of Faith puts it this way: “The
infallible rule of interpretation of
Scripture is the Scripture itself:
and therefore, when there is a
question about the true and full*
sense of any Scripture (which is
not manifold, but one) it must
be searched and known by other
places that speak more clearly”
(WCF 1.9). This, of course, does
not guarantee success to the
interpreter because of possible
misunderstanding on their part.
Nonetheless, this is the most
important interpretive method.
A second helpful interpretive
method is interpreting the Bible
literally. This has, in recent
church history, been misun
derstood in a number of ways,
thus leading to many problems.
Theologian R. C. Sproul writes,
“One of the most significant
advances of biblical scholarship
during the Reformation was
gained as a result of Luther’s
militant advocacy of the second
rule of hermeneutics: the Bible
should be interpreted according
to its literal sense....To interpret
the Bible literally is to interpret
it as literature.
That is, the natural meaning
of a passage is to be interpreted
according 4o the normal rules of
grammar, speech, syntax, and
context.” What Sproul is stress
ing is that we should interpret
the Bible in the same way we
would any other book. The Bible
was written with the intention
of being read literally, but it is
important for us to understand
Dear Counselor,
1 have a friend who is NEVER sick. When I asked her how she keeps from getting sick, especially during cold and flu season, she said
she just thinks herself well. This sounds crazy to me, but she is really healthy. What do you think? Sick of being Sick
Dear SOS: It may not be as crazy as it sounds. We are finding out more and more about the connections with mental/emotional and
physical health. Keeping ourselves physically healthy helps us deal better with stress. Likewise, it appears, when we keep a positive
attitude, our bodies are more resistant to'disease and/or recover from disease more quickly.
Some habits to develop that will contribute to a healthy life include:
- eating a balanced diet—avoiding fatty foods, high in sugar and salt
- avoiding alcohol and drinking adequate amounts of water each day, restricting caffeine intake
- thinking positively, focusing on pure thoughts, concentrating on the future, thinking more about solutions than problems and yes,
laughter is great medicine
- keeping things clean—especially your hands
- getting enough rest—8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is usually a minimum for good health
Developing these habits early should contribute to a healthy lifestyle that will serve you, well.. .well. Cassie
To learn more about this or other mental/emotional health issues, contact The Counseling Center at Montreal College ext. 3538 or one
of the counselors at cpavone@montreat.edu or ccopenhaver@montreat.edu. The Counseling Center is located in the lower level of
the Bell Library.
Missions Team Fundraises for L.A. Spring Break Trip
by Kortney Blythe
Valentine’s Day Bags of Love:
Those decorated bags stuffed with
goodies galore were compliments
of Bill Cain and the missions team.
They sent out letters to parents
asking for donations and a Valen
tine’s Day letter for their student.
Montreat staff and faculty baked the
homemade goodies for the bags.
Penny Drive: This annual fund
raiser will involve dorm competi
tions between floors. The goal is to
get as many pennies in your floor’s
jar but to put silver coins in oppos
ing floor’s containers because pen
nies mean points and silver coins
subtract points. The floors that raise
the most money win a nice surprise.
Chapel Band CD: The Montreat
chapel band made a CD of favorite
worship songs and will sell it for S8
beginning Febmary 26.
The Passion Of The Christ. The
$2 you paid to see the sneak preview
of The Passion, Mel Gibson’s con
troversial movie on the cmcifixion
of Christ, went to support this year’s
spring break mission trip.
The following groups also sent
gifts: The Presbytery of Western
that the Bible uses different lit
erary devices such as narrative,
didactic, poetry, apocalypse, and
parable, and we must recognize
their differences.
We should not read poetry as
if it were narrative. Otherwise,
for David, spending one day in
God’s courts was better than
exactly 1,000 days . elsewhere
(Ps; 84:10) (instead of under
standing 1,000 as poetic number
meaning many). So, even
though the Bible uses different
literary forms, which must be
read in light of their styles, the
Bible is meant to be interpreted
literally.
A good .understanding of
these two rules of interpretation
should provide a solid founda
tion by which someone can
build a healthy understanding of
Scripture. In the next issue I will
continue with more methods of
interpretation.
Crea^ve
Writip^
North Carolina, the Calvin Thiel-
man Fund (initiated by Montreat
Presbyterian Church), Black
Mountain Presbyterian, and
Montreat Presbyterian.
Keep all those involved in your
prayers! Check out the next Whet
stonefor more LA. Spring Break.
Missions Trip info!
“Owed" to Bob
There once was. a guy named Bob
Who was anything but a snob.
Alumni affairs was his game
For which he received much
acclaim.
According to those who knew him.
He often went out on a limb
Taking the part of a student.
Even if not always prudent.
At many events he was found.
Most often, running around
In directions profuse
Like a lion let loose.
With laughter contagious
And humor outrageous.
He stayed among us a while
Sharing his own kind of style.
No matter the need or the plan.
It was always, “Bob, you’ie da man!”
What more can I say?
At home, work or play.
There once was a guy named Bob
Who was anything but a snob!
Anne Ownbey
January 28, 2004
On the occasion of Bob Gra
ham’s leaving the position of
Director of Alumni Affairs.
Feb. 27,2003, Page 3
The Whetstone