God-Centered Biblical Interpretation by Vern S. Poythress

Author:Vern S. Poythress
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion, Biblical Criticism & Interpretation, General
ISBN: 9780875523767
Publisher: P&R Publishing
Published: 1999-01-01T07:31:25+00:00

God’s truthfulness

Consider next the perspective that focuses on the time of origin of biblical words. In this case, we consider God’s truthfulness and holiness. His word, not ours, is authoritative. This reality presses on us the importance of attending to what he said in its original circumstances. Not every word claiming his sanction actually has it (Jer. 28). He calls us to trust in him and not in man (Ps. 146:3). His word vindicates his holiness by testifying against the people (Deut. 31:26). In the Old Testament the worship of Molech, Baal, and Ashtoreth demonstrates the possibility of radically false religion. The corruption of the priesthood and the appearance of false prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord demonstrate the possibility of enormous confusion. In the New Testament the scribes, the Pharisees, and Christian heretics show the same danger. Even genuine Christians can succumb for a time to the temptations of false doctrine (1 Cor. 15; Gal. 1:6; 3:1; 5:10).

Hence, the holiness of God calls us to sift and reject human tradition by listening again to God. God is the standard, and his word is the standard by which we test the prophets (Deut. 13; 18; 1 John 4:1-3). But how do we identify God’s word? The word, we have said, dwells among Christians, but how do we drive deeper in discernment of what is and what is not this word? We need access to the word of God uncorrupted by sinful distortion. That is, we need that word deposited to testify against the people as well as (sometimes) on their behalf. In other words, we need the canon of Scripture. God so loved his people throughout the ages that he gave them clear instruction. He declared not only that Moses was his spokesman (Deut. 5:22-33), but that later spokesmen could be identified through the canon of Moses’s words (Deut. 18:17-22). This word cannot be broken and remains with perfect reliability to the end of time (John 10:35).

The canon of Scripture is now complete. It is the standard by which all modern communication is judged. But it is not only a standard. It expresses the inexhaustible fullness of what God communicates to us in redemption, for in it the Holy Spirit unfolds that full revelation of Jesus Christ, the one in whom “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As Hebrews says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe” (Heb. 1:1-2).

Of course we still have much to learn from the Bible. And we can learn much from the world that God governs. God can teach us in ordinary or in extraordinary ways. But the heart of wisdom is in knowing Christ. Those who lust after “further revelations” make a great mistake, because they are deficient in love for the Person revealed in this one great completed redemption.

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