Common Errors of Biblical interpretation - Southern Nazarene ...

Allegory:A sustained metaphor– characters and actions representsomething else– meanings are hidden behind a story. . . Or to put it another way . . .

Instead of concentrating on clear andobvious meanings, we look for thereal meaning beyond or behind thetext• “This stands for . . . . This stands for . . . . ”

Allegories in ScriptureThe Prophet Nathan’s story toDavid (II Kings 12)Jesus’ parable of the Sower

Stories people like toturn into allegoriesGood SamaritanJonah

When is it permissible?

Error #2:DecontextualizingIgnoring a passage’s cultural,historical and literary setting

Context is important• Words carry meaning in sentences. Forthe most part, biblical sentences buildtheir meaning as they relate topreceding and succeeding sentences.• My own Lord’s Supper experience

Context andcontradictions• Those who claim the Bible is full ofcontradictions often find them becausethey haven’t read the passages incontext.

Error #3: Selectivity– Choosing specific words andphrases while ignoring others– Danger: may miss the overallsweep of a passage– “Missing the forest for thetrees”

Error #4: FalseCombinationTakes phrases and verses from here andthere and makes a point out of theresulting mixture, a point that would notbe valid if the passages wereconsidered separatelyFor example . . .

Example of FalseCombination:Psalm 23 must mean one’s realenemies are in the church ratherthan outside the church

Ridiculous example ofFalse Combination:– Matthew 27:5 and Luke 10:37“Judas went away and hanged himself . .. Go and do likewise.”

Error #5: RedefinitionWhen plain mean of a text leaves uscold or it says something we donot want to hear, we re-word it.So, give me an example . . .

Our scientific mind-set pushesus toward re-definition• Explanations that fitwith our currentscientific theoriesand understandingsare offered for thoseBiblical events whichseem to be miracles

Sermon on the Mount phraseswe want to redefine• Turn the other cheek . . . “Well, youreally can’t do that literally.”• Matt. 5:42 -- “Give to the one who asksyou, and do not turn away from the onewho wants to borrow from you”

• Re-definition springs from a differentmotivation than simply wanting to seethe foundational principles behind apassage

Error #6: Keying on anextracanonical authority– Understanding the Bibletakes special knowledge– Only a special externalkey will unlock Bible“mysteries”– Cults often appeal to anextracanonical authority

Error #7: PersonalizingEverythingAsking insistently:What is the moral of this story?What does this mean for me?Assuming there’s a very personalmeaning in every single Biblicalpassage. . . For example

• Personalizing a historical event– “Today you are to pass by the region ofMoab at Ar” – Deuteronomy 2:18• What does that mean for me?

• Example:– Balaam’s talking donkey remindsme that I talk too much• Example:– The story of building the temple isGod’s way of telling us that we haveto construct a new church building.

A final note: Learn tolive with someambiguitySome questions aboutthe Bible will not besolved this side ofeternity.

8 Common Errorsof Interpretation(end)How peoplefind thingsin the Biblethat aren’treally there.Biblical PerspectivesSouthern NazareneUniversityDr. Howard Culbertson