Is, “If the scripture makes plain sense, seek no other sense” a good Bible hermeneutic to use in study?
I have come across several variations of the concept of ‘plain sense’ interpretation, such as “if the scripture makes plain sense, you should seek no other sense lest it result in nonsense” – sometimes with exceptions for immediate context given. Is this a good rule of thumb for interpreting scripture?
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Asked February 09 2017
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Anonymous
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Kraft
The bible is written so that unbelievers can not understand it. It is foolishness to them. It is only when we are searching for truth by faith in Christ can we find the true meanings of scripture when compared with other scripture.
Just take John 3:16 Every time I read it I see more good news. For God so loved the world. That means me. I am of the world. That He gave His only begotten son. God gave us Jesus so that we could be saved through what He did for us sinners.He took all of our sins upon Himself to pay the debt that we could not pay, That whosoever believeth in Him. I accepted Him as my savior and friend. Should not perish. My soul is safe with Him, But have everlasting life. I know I am going to heaven because of what Jesus did for me and counted me righteous by my faith in Him alone.
When we have the spirit of God living in us, we can make personal application of scripture. Without the spirit it makes no sense.
Jesus many times spoke in parables so that only those who were believers could understand the true meaning. We have to search the scriptures and compare scripture with scripture to get the true meaning.
The bible does not use the word rapture, but it does talk about being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. It says we shall not all sleep, (we will not all die) It says we are to comfort one another with these words. It says we will not go through the trial that is going to come upon the earth.
We should search the scripture as though we are looking for treasure as it will be found if we search for it with all our hearts. Jesus said I will never leave thee or forsake thee. He said it, so I know it's true, and that settles it.
Grant Abbott
Great discussion and an important one too. Here is an important example showing how the plain sense of scripture is unreliable.
There are numerous scriptures In the Old Testament that reference the coming Messiah as a victorious king. There are numerous other scriptures that refer to him as the suffering servant. Which view is correct?
The Jewish people desperately wanted a victorious king who would liberate them from their oppressing enemies. The Jewish religious leaders chose to expound the scriptures of the victorious king.
This view was so prevalent that the disciples simply couldn’t accept that Jesus Christ had come to die. He told them clearly 3 times that he would die and then rise again 3 days later. Jesus also told them he would return to the Father and later come back to get them. But their religious worldview simply could not accept this statement. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit was poured out that they finally understood what Jesus meant. However, even then, they still expected that Jesus would return during their lifetimes.
Could the same be true for the Christian faith today. Are we so focused on what the popular religious leaders are expounding about the second coming of Christ, that we miss the real truth of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us.
In my opinion, the most important principles of scriptural interpretation are these:
1) Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and heart
2) Find other scriptures to confirm the truth