SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (Bob's Presuppositions)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (Bob’s Presuppositions)

At this point I need to be as transparent as possible and try to spell out my own operating
assumptions. We are all affected by non-biblical factors. I am not attempting to get you to agree with
me, but to provide a more consistent, verifiable methodology for personal, non-technical Bible study. The
methodology is not inspired, but it is a developed ancient Christian model. My basic presuppositions are

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is from the one and only Creator, Redeemer God (see
SPECIAL
TOPIC: MONOTHEISM). He gave it to us through human instrumentality so that we might know
and understand Him and His will for our lives (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17). It is absolutely authoritative.
The Bible, like hermeneutics, is not an end in itself, but a means to a personal encounter
with God. God has clearly spoken to us in the Bible and even more clearly in His Son, Jesus
Christ (Heb. 1:1-3). Christ is the focus of all Scripture. He is its crowning fulfillment
and goal. He is Lord of Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:17-48). In Him revelation is complete and
final (John 1:1-18; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:13-20).
The Bible is written in normal, non-technical human language. Its focus is the obvious, normal
meaning of words, clauses, sentences. The Holy Spirit gave simple statements of truth. This
is not to say that the Bible is unambiguous, that it does not contain cultural idioms, or that
it does not contain difficult passages and, at this point in time, scribal errors. However, it
does not have hidden or secret meanings. It is not contradictory (analogy of faith) although
it does contain paradoxical or dialectical tension between truths.
The message of the Bible is primarily redemptive and is meant for all humans (John 1:12; 3:16;
4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10,14). It is for the world, not
exclusively for Israel (Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5-6, see
SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH’S
ETERNALA REDEMPTIVE PLAN). It is for the entire “lost” (fallen) world, not only
for the church. It is for the common, average human being, not only for the spiritually or
intellectually gifted.
The Holy Spirit is an indispensable guide to proper understanding.
1. There must be a balance between human effort and piety (2 Tim. 2:15) and the leading
  of the Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20-21,27).
2. Biblical interpretation is possibly a spiritual gift (like evangelism, giving, or
  prayer), yet it is also the task of every believer. Although it is a gift, by analyzing
  the gifted, all of us can do a better job in Bible study.
3. There is a spiritual dimension beyond human intellectual reach. The original authors
  often recorded more than they understood (future events, aspects of progressive
  revelation, and multiple fulfillment prophecy). The original hearers often did not
  comprehend the inspired message and its implications. The Spirit illumines us to
  comprehend the basic message of the biblical writers. We may not understand every
  detail, but then, who does? The Spirit is the true author of all Scripture.
The Bible does not speak directly to every modern question. It is ambiguous in many areas. Some
of it is locked into the original historical setting (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:29) and other parts are
hidden behind the “not yet” of history (e.g., Dan. 12:4). It must be remembered
that the Bible is analogous truth, not exhaustive truth. It is adequate for faith and life. We
cannot know everything, either about God or a specific doctrine of Scripture, but we can
know what is essential.