I had dinner with a dear brother-in-Christ and we happened to discuss a number of secondary issues.
When choosing between different interpretations of Scripture on secondary issues, we are not questioning the authority of Scripture over reason (on one hand) or choosing between Scripture and reason (on the other hand). Rather, we are choosing between one reasoned interpretation of Scripture and another reasoned interpretation of Scripture, one of which is (closer to being) correct.
To say that an interpretation of Scripture must be reasoned (and reasonable!) is not to say that reason trumps Scripture. (Reason does not trump Scripture.) On the contrary, reason is founded on Scripture. Reason is the scriptural means by which we interpret Scripture, even as we live in a fallen world and 'see through a glass, darkly' (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV).
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." - Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
"At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable."" - Acts 26:24-25 (NIV)
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." - 2 Timothy 2:7 (NIV)
"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
"There are two kinds of presuppositionalists: those who admit it and those who don't." - D. A. Carson quoting Carl F. H. Henry
The question is not whether we interpret Scripture. (We all interpret Scripture.) The question is how we interpret Scripture.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
Links: Philosophy and Theology (3 Jan 10), Why Theology Matters (11 Apr 10), I think, therefore I am (10 Aug 10)
No comments:
Post a Comment