As a followup to my earlier post, Warning: this bible is loaded, I would like to draw attention to a marvellous paragraph from a piece by William G. Wittwith obvious relevance to the issue of biblical authority:
There is a danger that discussions about the authority of Scripture may turn into exercises in exegetical casuistry. We can use Scripture in the way that lawyers use case precedents either to vindicate or convict a defendant. The focus of concern can become: What can I get away with? What meaning will the text bear? Can it be read to further my cause? A “minimalist” interpretation of Scripture can be as guilty of this as is a Puritan tendency toward “maximalism.” There is a danger of focusing on the texts as documents, and forgetting that the Scriptures are not self-referential. They speak of a reality beyond themselves, namely, God’s creation and redemption of the world and humanity in Jesus Christ. The purpose of exegesis is not only to decipher the grammatical meaning of the text or to find precedents for permissible or impermissible behavior, but to allow oneself to be formed and transformed by the reality to which the Scriptures refer so that one can find oneself within the Bible’s story of creation and redemption. But in order to do this, one must be willing to hand oneself over to the world of the text, to allow oneself to be challenged and even changed by it [emphasis mine].
Very well said. Witt is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Readers can follow his writings and sermons at his website.
June 8th, 2012 | 1:31 am | #1
“The purpose of exegesis is not only to decipher the grammatical meaning of the text or to find precedents for permissible or impermissible behavior, but to allow oneself to be formed and transformed by the reality to which the Scriptures refer so that one can find oneself within the Bible’s story of creation and redemption. But in order to do this, one must be willing to hand oneself over to the world of the text, to allow oneself to be challenged and even changed by it…”
What does this say about the fact that people read scriptures, all have their own unique Christian experiences, and still come to different conclusions on the text?
June 11th, 2012 | 10:50 am | #2
As a linguist this is an interesting topic. Because a lot of people forget to take into account how their own cultural worldview colors their experience of interpreting the world and therefore the Bible as result. In both China and Japan I have had fellow believers scratching their heads in disbelief when I have told them of American Christianity’s debates about certain things like birth control and alcohol. They can’t figure out how we interpreted this from that. The Chinese Bible certainly doesn’t seem to say this – so where does it come from?
In absence of cultural understanding, we interpret through our own cultural lenses, which cloud our understanding of the text. This happens all the time in diplomatic relations, which makes it quite difficult then to reach agreement – it is no wonder there are so many interpretations – likely each cultural group, applying it to themselves will have similar difficulties.
June 11th, 2012 | 7:14 pm | #3
“Because a lot of people forget to take into account how their own cultural worldview colors their experience of interpreting the world and therefore the Bible as result.”
While true, I’ve had the joyful edification of sitting under great preaching and teaching from pastors and teachers who illuminate and lift Biblical truths which transcend our cultural influences and experiences.
June 12th, 2012 | 2:34 am | #4
TUAD,
Right, but there is no Cartesian person. All pastors necessarily bring their own cultural influences into preaching; there isn’t a person devoid of them.
June 12th, 2012 | 1:18 pm | #5
Nikolai Volk: “All pastors necessarily bring their own cultural influences into preaching; there isn’t a person devoid of them.”
It’s easy to see why you believe that given your support for women’s ordination and same-sex marriage.
June 12th, 2012 | 1:48 pm | #6
Nikolai,
We agree that no pastor (or interpreter of any text for that matter) is “devoid” of cultural influence. But (reading between the lines) I wonder if you don’t really mean in some sense “captive to” or “controlled by” culture and its influence?
With that I cannot agree. As a pastor who is called upon weekly to interpret and proclaim the Scriptures I take very seriously the exegetical task, a significant part of which is to understand the text in ~its own~ culture and context in a disciplined manner. Part of that discipline is to try and remove, insofar as is possible, my own cultural prejudices and concerns. It’s not always easy, but it is a conscious part of doing the task well. It’s one of the first things one learns in being taught to do exegesis responsibly/faithfully.
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