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Can a non-Christian believer interpret the Bible as accurately as a Christian believer? What is the number one requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation?
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Two questions: two separate and distinctive answers.
Let us consider these two questions in the order presented. Can a non-Christian believer interpret the Bible as accurately as a Christian believer? While some will insist a non-Christian believer may be able to interpret the Scriptures, her/his interpretation is, at the very best, limited in both depth and accuracy.
The interpretative abilities of the non-Christian believer will never surpass her/his secular ability to interpret any other literary work.
Yes, I know some are already turning me off and saying, “You are biased and narrow minded.” Actually, I’m just being honest. Please allow me to explain.
The Bible is not an ordinary book. It is not a secular book. The Bible is The Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration [literally, God breathed] of God . . .” (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, since the Bible is a divinely inspired, the accurate interpretation of Scripture must be divinely guided. “But the natural man [non-Christian believer] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
While the non-Christian may, in an extremely limited manner, interpret the Bible from the perspective of literature, the non-Christian believer is simply not qualified nor equipped to accurately interpret the Bible. The non-Christian believer lacks the spiritual element – the indwelling Spirit of God. He and He [the Spirit of God] alone can provide the spiritual discernment necessary for accurately interpreting the Bible.
This brings us to the second question: What is the number one requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation? Study skills? Study resources? Study time? Prayer? While each of these components are important for accurate Bible interpretation, they are by no means the most important requirement.
Since the Bible is a God breathed book and since the Bible must be spiritually discerned, the most essential requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation is the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit. In order for the Holy Spirit to indwell an individual, personal salvation is absolutely necessary.
Therefore, the number one requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation is a saving faith in Jesus Christ. This requirement prompts a third question: Do you know for absolute certainty you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ?
I want to personally invite you to watch the video above. After doing so, please ask the Lord God to provide you with the assurance of salvation if you have been saved or the awareness of your need for salvation if you’ve never been saved.
Let us consider these two questions in the order presented. Can a non-Christian believer interpret the Bible as accurately as a Christian believer? While some will insist a non-Christian believer may be able to interpret the Scriptures, her/his interpretation is, at the very best, limited in both depth and accuracy.
The interpretative abilities of the non-Christian believer will never surpass her/his secular ability to interpret any other literary work.
Yes, I know some are already turning me off and saying, “You are biased and narrow minded.” Actually, I’m just being honest. Please allow me to explain.
The Bible is not an ordinary book. It is not a secular book. The Bible is The Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration [literally, God breathed] of God . . .” (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, since the Bible is a divinely inspired, the accurate interpretation of Scripture must be divinely guided. “But the natural man [non-Christian believer] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
While the non-Christian may, in an extremely limited manner, interpret the Bible from the perspective of literature, the non-Christian believer is simply not qualified nor equipped to accurately interpret the Bible. The non-Christian believer lacks the spiritual element – the indwelling Spirit of God. He and He [the Spirit of God] alone can provide the spiritual discernment necessary for accurately interpreting the Bible.
This brings us to the second question: What is the number one requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation? Study skills? Study resources? Study time? Prayer? While each of these components are important for accurate Bible interpretation, they are by no means the most important requirement.
Since the Bible is a God breathed book and since the Bible must be spiritually discerned, the most essential requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation is the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit. In order for the Holy Spirit to indwell an individual, personal salvation is absolutely necessary.
Therefore, the number one requirement for accurate Biblical interpretation is a saving faith in Jesus Christ. This requirement prompts a third question: Do you know for absolute certainty you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ?
I want to personally invite you to watch the video above. After doing so, please ask the Lord God to provide you with the assurance of salvation if you have been saved or the awareness of your need for salvation if you’ve never been saved.
