OUR PRESUPPOSITIONS AND BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Our basic beliefs (presuppositions) affect the way we interpret the Bible. If we believe that the Bible is merely the disparate words of various authors, we will find various “contradictions” to validate our belief that the Bible cannot be the Word of God. However, if we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, we will regard these same “contradictions” as invitations to dig deeper. Let me try to demonstrate this by addressing the question, “Who decides who goes to heaven or hell.”

On the one hand, the Father has committed all judgment to the Son: John 5:22 (ESV) “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (also Acts 17:31). On the other hand, Jesus stated that He doesn’t judge (John 8:15):

·       If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (John 12:47-48)

Well, who then decides the final judgment – The Father, the Son, or the Word? If we are convinced that the Bible is the Word of God and is, therefore, without contradiction, then we will seek to reconcile these disparate messages. Is it possible that the Father and the Son will judge through the Word (His Light and Truth) implanted within the human conscience?

This is where the Biblical evidence seems to point us (Hebrews 4:12). His implanted truths will determine our direction. It will accuse us of wrongdoing and cause us to rationalize and deny them:

·       For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:14-16 (ESV)

The Light of God’s implanted Word will also cause us to hate the Light which exposes our sin and causes us to run from it, as Jesus had claimed:

·       “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:17-20)

According to Jesus, humanity is SELF-condemned because they have rejected Jesus and His Light in favor of the darkness. They know the Truth (the implanted Word) and therefore hide from the Truth, because the Truth exposes them. Paul also explained humanity’s hatred of the Light:

·       The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Why can’t the world simply laugh at the Light of Christ as they would a clown or a raving madman? Because the Light of Jesus corresponds to what has been written within! Consequently, they know that the Light is the Truth (Romans 1:32). Therefore, they will not be able to stand in the presence of the Light but flee, even if it takes them to a place of torment:

·       But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. (Malachi 3:2-3; Psalms 1:5; 24:3-4; Deuteronomy 5:25; Isaiah 2:20-22; Revelation 6:15-16; 20:11)

The implanted Word will judge the world by causing them to flee from the Light.

Perhaps my resolution is mistaken. However, I just wanted to illustrate how my presupposition that the Bible is the Word of God has led me to come up with this interpretation.

Besides, we have many hidden presuppositions that affect interpretation. As we grow in Christ and the knowledge of His Word, these presuppositions will be exposed, giving us an opportunity to examine them in the Light of Scripture.