We have been talking about the issue of clarity for several weeks now and as we move toward finishing this discussion point we still have this one nagging question: why, if clarity is true, are there so many different interpretations of Scripture? The answer I think is a bit more subjective than we often realize.
I have pointed out how we can be certain, to some degree, of the Scriptures because God is sovereign even over our interpretive processes. And it is this insight which points us also to some of the differences in interpretation. You see ultimately Scripture makes clear that some things are easy to understand and accessible for all believers. But Scripture also teaches us that as the one who is sovereign over our understanding God does not permit all of us to know all things. We see this clearly in Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew 13:10-16 we read of Jesus explaining to his disciples why he speaks in parables, he writes:
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘ You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. (Matthew 13:10-16)
You see Jesus speaks in parables so that some will not be enlightened by the truth. As John Frame writes, “[God’s Word] have exactly the power he intends them to have. He intends to communicate to one group, so to them his word must be clear. To the other group, he does not intend to fully communicate; so to them the word is not clear” (The Doctrine of the Word of God, 205).
What this means for us as we contemplate, in conclusion, the doctrine of clarity is that prayer must be a major part of our interpretive process. Not simply an afterthought, but a continuous engagement with God over His Words. We will discuss this in more detail later when we get to the relationship between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. For now, however, we remind ourselves that we can be certain of the text because God is the one communicating it (and he communicates perfectly) and because he is in control of even our interpretive process. Yet we also recognize that some humility is necessary and as we interpret we are always seeking to go back to the text and wrestle afresh with its meaning according to the basic rules of hermeneutics.
In two weeks we will tackle the last of the four major attributes of Scripture: the sufficiency. Then we will move into new territory on the Doctrine of Revelation.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 