How Should Christians Interpret The Bible?

Question:  

How should Christians interpret the Bible?

Answer:

There are countless steps that are set forward to ensure accurate Biblical interpretation.  We are called to study the original languages, the context, the syntax, the historical background, etc...  This is all wonderful and excellent, however, there is one thing that is much deeper and deserves a great deal of our attention, "Just what is the main theme of the Bible?"  It sounds simple enough, but it is really the starting presuppositional point of good Biblical interpretation.  The reason being, the way we answer this will directly impact 'how' we approach and read the Bible.

For example, if we approach the Old Testament primarily as a collection of stories to make us more moral, we are severely missing the whole point of the Old Testament.  If we approach the New Testament primarily as a collection of prophecies predicting the end of the age, we are severely missing the whole point of the New Testament.  

So, what is the main theme of the Bible?  In the story of Jesus dialoguing with two individuals on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:27[1] it says, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."  As we can see, Jesus interpreted the scriptures to the two individuals by showing them that the Old Testament was all about Him.  What this means for us is that our interpretive lens for the Old Testament is simply... Christ. 

As we look to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we see four books that are essentially the biographies of Jesus Christ.  Then as we travel to the epistles (i.e. Paul's letters to churches) we see that Paul talks to the churches about Jesus.  Like the Old Testament, the New Testament scriptures are also about Christ.   

So, "just what is the main theme of the Bible?"  We can simply answer this saying, "the whole Bible is a book about.... Jesus!" 

Now, can our Biblical interpretation stop here?  Understanding that the Bible is about Jesus is a great start to approaching the scriptures, however, the question that needs to be raised next is, "who do we say Jesus is?"  In other words, our Biblical interpretation is not only governed by how we approach the Bible but also by the way we answer the question of, "who is Jesus or what is Jesus to us?" 

The reality is that much of our Biblical interpretation has already been predetermined for us depending on the way in which we approach scriptures and how we understand the person of Jesus Christ. 

Is Jesus our mascot?  Is Jesus our moral or mystical spiritual example?  Is Jesus our motivational life coach?  If we view Christ in any of the previous ways we are severely misconstruing the mission and person of Jesus Christ and thus interpreting the rest of the scriptures incorrectly.    Listen for a minute on how Jesus defines himself:

• For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13b)
• For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
• I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall live (John 11:25)
• I and the Father are one. (John 10:30)
• I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
• I am the way, and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
• I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  (John 15:5)

Very simply put, we need to interpret scriptures on the basis of what Jesus says about Himself and how the scriptures define Him.  For when we make Jesus into a moral coach, a mascot for Christianity or a helper/encourager of those struggling with self-esteem we are not seeing ourselves or Christ rightly.  As previously mentioned, this incorrect view of Christ skews the way in which we approach, read and interpret the rest of the scriptures.

It is very common to hear people define themselves and their interpretation in the following way, “we are Christ-centered and we preach Christ crucified.”  What this is essentially saying is that a person of this presuppositional stance sees the Bible, both Old and New Testament, through the central message of Christ.  Furthermore, the phrase “Christ Crucified” also communicates one’s understanding of Jesus, that they read the scriptures through the lens of seeing Jesus as the divine Messiah and Savior; being crucified for helpless and spiritually dead sinners.

So, "who is Jesus or what is Jesus to us?"  We can answer this simply by saying, "Jesus is the Messiah and Savior who came into the world to serve sinful humanity with redemption and forgiveness.  He came for me, a sinner, so that I might abide with Him and have the blessed assurance of eternal life with the Father."

As we continue in Biblical interpretation may the centrality of Jesus and Him crucified bless us in our interpretive endeavors.  May we be continually blessed that the scriptures don't speak of Jesus as a mere moral example, mascot or motivational inspiration but rather the Majestic, Divine, Savior and Messiah of the world.  A Messiah who redeemed mankind from the consequences of their self-chosen life to sin and freed mankind from the condemnation and wrath of God. 

Christ-centered, Christ-crucified... these are the interpretive values and message of the Bible for us.

---

[1] See also John 5:39; Romans 1:2; John 1:45; and Romans 3:21.