Principles of Biblical Interpretation Since the Bible is a propositional revelation, then these hermeneutical principles are expected: Since the Bible is a propositional revelation, then these hermeneutical principles are expected: – DIRECT STATEMENTS Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Would God veil Himself in totally symbolic ways? No, not totally. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. Without direct statements, no objective exegesis is possible. – IMPLICATION Non-trivial statements imply something. Non-trivial statements imply something. To say “no” begs the question. To say “no” begs the question. – ACCOUNTS OF ACTION IN HISTORY God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God’s revelation is to real people in various circumstances. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology. God expects us to decide what applies; thus, some methodology. – EXPEDIENCY No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. No propositional revelation can be exhaustive. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation. Expediency increases the practicality and endurance of the revelation.

The Bible Authorizes By Accounts of Approved Action General Classifications: General Classifications: – Actions which are ACCEPTABLE to God (AUTHORIZED by God’s Word) Obligatory Actions Obligatory Actions Optional Actions Optional Actions These actions provide approved examples/patterns/ models for us to follow. These actions provide approved examples/patterns/ models for us to follow. – Actions which are UNACCEPBALE to God (NOT UNAUTHORIZED by God’s Word) Explicitly Forbidden Explicitly Forbidden Implicitly Forbidden Implicitly Forbidden Forbidding What God Allows Forbidding What God Allows Binding What Is Not Essential Binding What Is Not Essential

The Bible Authorizes By Accounts of Approved Action Specific Classifications: Specific Classifications: – Action which was PERMANENTLY SINFUL Ex: Betraying Jesus (Matt. 26:47-49) Ex: Betraying Jesus (Matt. 26:47-49) Ex: Denying Jesus (Matt. 26:69-75) Ex: Denying Jesus (Matt. 26:69-75) Ex: Loving this world (2 Tim. 4:10) Ex: Loving this world (2 Tim. 4:10) Ex: Church tolerating false teachers/doctrines (Rev. 2:14-15) Ex: Church tolerating false teachers/doctrines (Rev. 2:14-15) – Action which was OPTIONAL & TEMPORARY Ex: Preaching to Jews only (Acts 2-11; cf. 10:27-28) Ex: Preaching to Jews only (Acts 2-11; cf. 10:27-28) Ex: Preaching in the temple (Acts 21:26-30) Ex: Preaching in the temple (Acts 21:26-30) – Action which was OPTIONAL & PERMANENT Ex: Traveling by ship to preach (Acts 13:4) Ex: Traveling by ship to preach (Acts 13:4) Ex: Eating Lord’s Supper in an upper room (Acts 20:7-8) Ex: Eating Lord’s Supper in an upper room (Acts 20:7-8) Ex: Giving beyond ability to give (2 Cor. 8:3) Ex: Giving beyond ability to give (2 Cor. 8:3)

The Bible Authorizes By Accounts of Approved Action Specific Classifications: Specific Classifications: – Action which was PERMANENTLY SINFUL – Action which was OPTIONAL & TEMPORARY – Action which was OPTIONAL & PERMANENT – Action which was OBLIGATORY & TEMPORARY Ex: Confirming the message through miracles (Acts 8:4-8) Ex: Confirming the message through miracles (Acts 8:4-8) Ex: Desiring & possessing spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1) Ex: Desiring & possessing spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1) – Action which was OBLIGATORY & PERMANENT Ex: Church partaking Lord’s Supper on Sunday (Acts 20:7) Ex: Church partaking Lord’s Supper on Sunday (Acts 20:7) Ex: Preaching Jesus incl. necessity of baptism (Acts 8:35-39) Ex: Preaching Jesus incl. necessity of baptism (Acts 8:35-39) Ex: Baptizing for the remission of sins (Acts 9:18; 22:16) Ex: Baptizing for the remission of sins (Acts 9:18; 22:16) Ex: Baptizing is a burial in water (Acts 8:26-40) Ex: Baptizing is a burial in water (Acts 8:26-40)

The Bible Authorizes By Accounts of Approved Action When is an account of action binding? When is an account of action binding? – Something other than the account of action itself must be working to bind us today. – We must look at the account itself, the immediate and remote context. – We must look for an underlying command. – We must look for the doctrinal significance of the account.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency In order to carry out the Christian’s obligation from direct statements, implications and accounts of approved action, there is the area of expediency. In order to carry out the Christian’s obligation from direct statements, implications and accounts of approved action, there is the area of expediency. Expediency is involved in the fulfillment of every action authorized by God. Expediency is involved in the fulfillment of every action authorized by God. – When God specifies how an obligation is be carried out, the how is just as binding as the obligation itself. – But, if no specification is Divinely given as to how the obligation is to be done, then the manner and method of fulfillment are left up to human judgment, to the realm of expediency.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency An expedient is that which: An expedient is that which: – Expedites – Aids – Assists – Helps – Benefits – Is inherently advantageous in carrying out obligations or options (not forbidden) – Is in harmony with the Scriptures

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency An expedient is that which expedites, aids, assists, helps, benefits, is inherently advantageous in carrying out obligations or options (not forbidden) & is in harmony with the Scriptures. An expedient is that which expedites, aids, assists, helps, benefits, is inherently advantageous in carrying out obligations or options (not forbidden) & is in harmony with the Scriptures. Where there is no Biblical authority (direct statement, implication or approved action), there is NO EXPEDIENCY. Where there is no Biblical authority (direct statement, implication or approved action), there is NO EXPEDIENCY. – One must have a Bible obligation, if one is expediting. – Arbitrarily calling something an expedient does not make it so; it must be expediting (inherently advantageous to) the fulfillment of an authorized obligation.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Some criteria in choosing expedients: Some criteria in choosing expedients: – Expedients benefit authorized actions (Col. 3:17). What we do must be authorized. Ex: baptize in water What we do must be authorized. Ex: baptize in water – Expedients must not add to authorized actions. There’s a difference between “benefitting” & “adding.” There’s a difference between “benefitting” & “adding.” – Expedients are essential to carry out authorized actions. Ex: Command to assemble makes a place & time essential. Ex: Command to assemble makes a place & time essential. – The type of expedient is optional. Assembly in a tent, on beach, in building. Rent, buy, in a home. Assembly in a tent, on beach, in building. Rent, buy, in a home. – Expedients must truly be beneficial (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23). May not be helpful even if lawful May not be helpful even if lawful – Expedients must not be enslaving (1 Cor. 6:12). Some traditions fall into this area. Some traditions fall into this area. – Expedients must be edifying (1 Cor. 10:23). The order of worship is an expedient but should not confusing. The order of worship is an expedient but should not confusing. – Expedients must be done in love (1 Cor. 16:14).

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency There is a difference between an “expedient” (an aid) and an “addition.” There is a difference between an “expedient” (an aid) and an “addition.” – Anything which is not authorized by Scripture, but which is nonetheless employed, is an addition. – A true aid, an expedient, is authorized by the Scriptures.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: – Command: “Go into all the world and preach…” We could go by WALKING; we can go by RIDING (2 diff options). We could go by WALKING; we can go by RIDING (2 diff options). These 2 options have a direct relationship to the obligation (“Go”) but no particular relationship to each other. Walking is not an aid (expedient) to riding, and riding is not an expedient to walking. These 2 options have a direct relationship to the obligation (“Go”) but no particular relationship to each other. Walking is not an aid (expedient) to riding, and riding is not an expedient to walking. A walking stick, used while walking, would be an expedient/aid. A walking stick, used while walking, would be an expedient/aid. – Simple illustration – the area of perception We perceive by HEARING; we perceive by SEEING (2 diff ways). We perceive by HEARING; we perceive by SEEING (2 diff ways). Hearing is not an expedient to seeing, nor seeing to hearing. Hearing is not an expedient to seeing, nor seeing to hearing. These are definite, distinct ways of perceiving = co-ordinates These are definite, distinct ways of perceiving = co-ordinates Either one can be done without the other. Either one can be done without the other. Eyeglasses would be an expedient/aid to seeing. Eyeglasses would be an expedient/aid to seeing. A hearing aid would be an expedient/aid to hearing. A hearing aid would be an expedient/aid to hearing.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: Examples to illustrate diff between an aid & an addition: – What about “making music” in worship to God? We make music by SINGING; we make music by PLAYING. We make music by SINGING; we make music by PLAYING. Singing & mechanical instruments are two different ways of making music = co-ordinates. Singing & mechanical instruments are two different ways of making music = co-ordinates. Either one can be done without the other. Either one can be done without the other. Singing is not an expedient/aid to playing. Singing is not an expedient/aid to playing. Playing is not an expedient/aid to singing. Playing is not an expedient/aid to singing. The songbook is an expedient/aid to singing. The songbook is an expedient/aid to singing. Having someone lead the congregation is an expedient/aid to singing. Having someone lead the congregation is an expedient/aid to singing. When we use the songbook in our singing, we are JUST SINGING. We are NOT SINGING AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE. When we use the songbook in our singing, we are JUST SINGING. We are NOT SINGING AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE. When God commands us in the NT to sing in worship to Him, to play an instrument is to ADD to His Word. When God commands us in the NT to sing in worship to Him, to play an instrument is to ADD to His Word.

The Bible Authorizes By Expediency Expediency increases the practicality, endurance & far- reaching application of God’s revelation. Expediency increases the practicality, endurance & far- reaching application of God’s revelation. It is through expediency that we have and can defend: It is through expediency that we have and can defend: – Our church buildings – Our baptistries – Our teaching in simultaneous Bible classes, adults & children – Our song books – Our song leaders – Our invitation songs – Our individual communion cups – Our contribution baskets – Our prayer leaders in the assembly – Our chalkboards, white boards, PowerPoint projectors, etc. – Our public address systems, video recording, etc.