Two Steps

There are two steps in interpreting scripture. The first is seeing what it meant then. The second is applying that today. When we rush over step one, to piously (devotionally, pragmatically) get to step two, we corrupt the gospel message and bring others into bondage to religion. The other pitfall is not getting to step two at all. We must get the true gospel and then apply it to today.

When the Old Testament was written it was not written to us, but to those under the law. John the Baptist and Jesus did not speak to 21st Century Pentecostal/Evangelicals, but to 1st Century Jews. When Paul wrote his epistles he wrote to the Jewish/Hellenist world of his time. Understanding that day is vital in understanding the message.

Some claim that understanding the Bible is just a matter of having the right attitude of heart, loving Jesus, praying and being led by the Holy Spirit. These are necessary, but they do not replace the need to read the Bible properly. God in His love gave a message to people when the Bible was written. But if we misinterpret that message, then it has lost its intended value for us.

It is when we have the original meaning that we can move to the second step – applying the original message to our own life and circumstances today. Application, or practical theology, comes second. An honest, open and thorough biblical study comes first.