BIBLICAL BRIEFS 29
All verses in the entire Bible must always be understood in context with the rest of Scripture. If we fail to do this, we cause some of the verses to become a law, through which the ears of listeners are figuratively cut off (John 18:10). We have a tendency to try and substantiate our spiritual arguments time and again with a chapter and verse-inclination, and then subsequently to try and present this Scriptural evidence as a one-sided truth. It is important to remember that “all Scripture” (2 Tim. 3:16) is inspired by God, not “every scripture” [“all Scriptures” – ALTNT, not “every Scripture” – ASV; and absolutely specifically NOT: “Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word.” – CEV]. It is quite clear that there are parts in the Bible which are in no way God’s will, for example, the friends of Job’s exhortations towards him (read Job 42: 7). It is for example important that we should be aware thereof, that the book Ecclesiastes had been written by a man who lost his life purpose and calling, and that much of what this Bible Book presents should be read from this nihilistic perspective. Another good example is the verse in 2 Sam. 24:1 – “The Lord … incited David against them.” The exact same opportunity is also presented in 1 Chron. 21: 1, and then the following is surely claimed: “Then Satan incited David.” Who was it then – God or Satan? From this flows a very important principle with regard to the reading and understanding of the Bible – the Bible is an open text, not a closed text, and consequently it concerns the interpretation possibilities which are opened up and which are not necessarily closed. This is contrary to the way of theological thinking that often wants to conclude and close off the Bible text, thus inevitably narrowing it down. It particularly involves that the Bible is not necessarily a moral prescript, but a “grace-laden mystery” – [Manning: The Ragamuffin Gospel.] The words of Jesus in John 5: 39-40 are absolutely clear: “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.”
Dr. Tom Gouws
