Recently I preached a message which inspired some confusion and several questions. It can be difficult, at times, to make sure everything meant in a message is understood. What I was saying is the Bible, as a book, is simply unable to answer plainly every question faced in an entire human life. Part of my argument is that John even said that not all books in the world could contain all the things Jesus did in his life (John 21:25). If a single book could not contain all that happens in a single human life, it cannot plainly answer all questions faced in a single human life. Some took this to mean I was saying the Bible is not a reliable source of answers. I was not. Neither would I ever say that. It is our rule for faith and practice and always will be. It is also the entirety of divine revelation on salvation and ethics.
Join me in considering a choice between A, B, or C. Which would you pick? Does Scripture say plainly, “In a choice between A, B, or C, always choose C”? Of course not. But is this important? The example question above is meaningless because we do not know what A, B, and C mean. Since one of the significant purposes of Scripture is to answer the ethical question, “How should we live?” let us consider an ethical issue.
Let’s take smoking, for example. Should a Christian smoke? I can quickly point out that nowhere does Scripture even mention smoking. You may say, “Well, they did not have smoking back then, so it was not an issue.” They did not have tobacco, but we know people of the time did smoke, but that is not important. In other words, Scripture does not give a plain answer to the question of smoke or don’t smoke. Some will say, “Well, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are to keep it pure.” Yep. True. First off, that passage is speaking of sexual sin and not smoking. But let’s suppose it does address smoking—just as a thought experiment. It still does not say “Do not smoke” or anything similar. To use the passage this way is an interpretation. That was my point. Many of the questions we ask in this life can only be answered biblically through interpretation, not by finding a plain passage addressing it.
Let me give you another example. Most people would agree that Scripture encourages us to save money and even invest some of that money wisely. Of course, this, too, is from an interpretation. Can a Christian invest in a company whose sole product is cigarettes? Knowing that those who use the product will die earlier and are addicted to the product is an important consideration. But does Scripture say anything plainly—without the need for interpretation? What about a company that produces alcoholic beverages? Can (or should) a Christian invest in any company like this? For many, it is cut and dry. But not because any particular passage says, “You will (or will not) invest in companies which make (insert product).” We must study Scripture and conclude based on our best attempt to interpret and deduce principles.
Now is where I want you to understand the focus of that message. Once you have formed your interpretation of Scripture, do not treat it as the plain word of God. It is your best effort to deduce an answer. One example used is our denomination’s Big-tent theology. We have churches that believe one thing, and others believe the opposite. For example, whether one can or cannot lose their salvation. Of course, this is only in secondary issues. Primary issues we agree upon. We can do this because we are determined to treat our personal interpretations of a passage as such and be humble about them. Remember that those who disagree on such secondary things are not necessarily unconcerned about following Scripture. They may be just as loyal to the Word of God but have taken a different turn interpretation-wise. We should always hold our interpretations of Scripture with humility. We should also continue to love those who interpret differently.
Don’t forget I’m speaking about secondary and tertiary issues. I am not talking about primary issues—those things which are definitive of being a Christian. Doctrines like the virgin birth, the resurrection, and others are non-negotiable. They are held unwaveringly and absolutely. We never agree to disagree on these. However, even those with differing views on these must still be loved. But instead of loving them like brothers and sisters, we love them like the lost people we have been called to seek out.