Why do so many scholars have to admit that Jesus really did live and die? Well, it's because evidence, even from non-biblical sources, claims that He did. Why do Christians believe Jesus also resurrected? Again, because of compelling eyewitness testimony. They take the Bible to mean what it says.
The Bible’s book of Acts is full of eyewitness testimony. Verse after verse emphasizes what the people actually saw and how they interacted with Christ over a 40-day period after He was physically resurrected. We’re not talking a period of four days, or forty hours. We’re talking forty days!
- Acts 2:32: “God has raised Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses to the fact.”
- Acts 3:15: “You killed the author of life but God raised Him to life and we are witnesses to this fact.”
- Acts 4:20: “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
To know God through his sinless risen Son Jesus Christ is the prerequisite to real soundness and life. That is what you want!
To walk in step with the Word of God (in connection with a sound local church where He is Lord) is the highest calling of our lives. This is a responsibility that bears eternal significance.
Qs: But how can we discern what parts of the Bible apply to our daily walk? How can we rightly interpret the Bible for our lives? How do we wisely apply the timeless truths of Scripture so that, in the critical moments of decision—where the rubber meets the rough rocky road—we glorify God and serve others real well?
Biblical hermeneutics, the sacred practice of interpreting God’s Word (the Bible), answers these pressing questions. As Paul admonishes in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who… correctly handles the word of truth" we can opt to obey Him. All Christians are called to be 24/7/365 reps, sound ministers of the Gospel, and therefore all Christians are called to properly study the Bible (for glorifying the Lord/for wise application-sake). One translation gives the command like this:"Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 amp
This holy pursuit of understanding truth requires not only study-effort but reverence and the holy fear of God, as we are tasked with approaching the Scriptures with great care and precision.
At the heart of biblical hermeneutics lies one fundamental principle: we must read and understand the Bible in its plain, literal sense, unless the text itself shows us it’s employing symbols or figurative language.
At the heart of biblical hermeneutics lies one fundamental principle: we must read and understand the Bible in its plain, literal sense, unless the text itself shows us it’s employing symbols or figurative language.
The Bible speaks clearly, pointedly and directly to people of every nation—its message is not shrouded in mysticism or hidden layers of esoteric knowledge. When I see the word "mysteries" (unlike in my early years as part of the Roman church) I know that God in the Bible delights to reveal mysteries to His children (rather than keep me in the dark). Too many times religious leaders told me: "Kurt, we can't know that, it's a mystery that God has hidden (when it was clearly addressed in their Bible). Of course the Bible doesn't speak of everything there is, but God has given us everything we need.
"For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 amp
The Bible is sufficient for both life and godliness. What does the sufficiency of Scripture mean? It means that the Bible alone (God's love letter to the beliver) is enough to guide real Christians on the path of godliness and to lead people to saving faith through Christ alone.
- Psalm 19:7–11: Here's a concise statement of the sufficiency of Scripture, written by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17: Here the Apostle Paul states that all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness.
- 2 Peter 1:3: Here it says that God has given us all we need for life and godliness.
- Deuteronomy 6:4: Here Scripture clearly instructs both the most well-instructed Christian and the layperson. A child could understand the Bible.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10: Here Paul explains that God's grace is VERY sufficient for us, regardless of the circumstances.
For instance, when Jesus fed the five thousand (Mark 8:19), this miracle must be accepted for what it is: a historical act with eye witnesses where thousands of people were fed by the miraculous power of Christ. To over spiritualize the text is flat out wrong. To seek some religious symbolic or hidden meaning in such a clear narrative would do injustice to the divine clarity with which God communicates to people. Language exists to reveal, the Bible exists to make mysteries known to people, not to obscure them. Yes, God’s Word is no different in this area of each one of us potentially learning what's so.
However, literal interpretation does not mean simplistic reading. I want to be simple in my faith and walk, but never simplistic. I want to be childlike in my faith and walk, but never childish.
However, literal interpretation does not mean simplistic reading. I want to be simple in my faith and walk, but never simplistic. I want to be childlike in my faith and walk, but never childish.
Biblical passages must be understood in their historical, grammatical, and contextual light. Each verse was written within a specific culture, language, and moment in history, and we must honor that context to fully grasp its meaning. For example, when we study Jonah’s flight from God in Jonah 1:1-3, we must first appreciate the historical backdrop—the brutal nature of the Assyrian empire—to understand why Jonah fled from God's command. Similarly, understanding the nuances of language, such as when Paul calls Jesus “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13), enhances our recognition of Jesus as fully divine, as Greek grammar reinforces this truth.
The contents of the Bible were written over a period of over 1500 years, by 40+ authors from every walk of life: kings, fishermen, statesmen, poets, philosophers — even peasants. Some wrote in the wilderness, others in dungeons, some in a palace, and others while on military campaigns. And they wrote from three different continents, and in three languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Wowza!
Can a book so unique really be factually and historically true? (YES). Is the Bible, as some believe, merely a “man-made” work of fiction (NOPE)—or a book guided by the hand of God? It's indeed the God-given guidebook for us.
Can a book so unique really be factually and historically true? (YES). Is the Bible, as some believe, merely a “man-made” work of fiction (NOPE)—or a book guided by the hand of God? It's indeed the God-given guidebook for us.
Context safeguards us from error. Study the context please. Each verse must be read within the broader framework of the surrounding verses, the surrounding chapters, the book, and ultimately the entire Bible. A passage that might seem puzzling at first often becomes clear when its context is honestly considered. For example, the recurring phrase “under the sun” in Ecclesiastes frames the book’s reflections on life’s futility as an exploration of human existence (from an earthly perspective) ..yes, apart from God’s eternal perspective.
Another invaluable rule is to pray honestly, inquiring of the Holy Spirit for His help, and then constantly be allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
God’s Word is a unified whole, and the Bible often explains itself. Take Isaiah’s condemnation of Judah for trusting in Egypt’s horses
"Woe (judgment is coming) to those who go down to Egypt for help, Who rely on horses And trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the LORD!" Isaiah 31:1 AMP
This rebuke is rooted in God’s earlier command found in Deuteronomy 17:16 that His people should not be relying on a foreign cavalry for their security. In this way, passages from different books and eras illuminate each other and reinforce the consistency of God’s clear message.
Some may fear that studying biblical hermeneutics will limit their ability to hear fresh truths from the Holy Spirit or inhibit personal discovery. That is false -- this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Hermeneutics is not about fencing in our understanding of Scripture—it’s about laying the foundation for true understanding of truth.
It ensures that we handle God’s Word rightly as he intends us to do, guarding against misinterpretation or the influence of personal bias. There are too many cults today and too many groups that are acting cultic. Lives are being deceived and destroyed.
Remember what Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth." He didn't pray "Sanctify them by what's mostly true."
Most of what we hear false teachers and false prophets teach today is true, but it's the little bit that gets ya. That hurts or worse.
Q: Would you eat a brownie if 3% of it was made with arsenic? Nope, you wouldn't.
The study of sound hermeneutics equips us to encounter God's truth, live it faithfully, and consistently, and share it rightly with others.
In a world that often pulls us in many directions (more and more aggressively pulls ya), hermeneutics keeps us grounded in God’s unchanging Word. It's so needed.
It ensures that when we apply the Scriptures in our lives—whether in moments of joy or trial—we are doing so in a way that honors the Author of life and brings His light to other people. That's His heartbeat, missions, soul-winning with the gospel. And in that humble obedience, we each will find the power to glorify the Lord and to wisely serve His people.
Stick with biblical hermeneutics, not any lame trajectory-hermeneutics (a.k.a. redemptive-movement hermeneutics) which goes beyond what Scripture actually says. That relies on a “logical extension” of Scripture for its application in modern-day life.
Those who push and push and push it.. I mean those proponents of the redemptive-movement hermeneutic.. have chosen to remain shortsighted. They do not at all see their approach as conflicting with the more traditional, grammatical-historical method of proper Bible exegesis.
Again, trajectory hermeneutics or redemptive-movement hermeneutics contains some dangers in its approach to the Bible—following a “trajectory” of a biblical principle goes beyond what Scripture actually says about an issue. Let's let the Bible speak for itself, please.
Biblical hermeneutics, rooted in the traditional grammatical-historical method, honors the authority of Scripture by interpreting it as the inspired Word of God—reliable, consistent, and applicable to all generations. It seeks to understand Scriptures based on its original context within the Bible, language, and historical setting, ensuring that the meaning intended by the biblical authors is preserved. In this approach, God’s Word is changeless, timeless and totally sufficient, speaking truth that transcends cultural shifts, trends, and modern developments.
In contrast, trajectory hermeneutics (also known as redemptive-movement hermeneutics) introduces a different layer of interpretation by suggesting that Scripture points toward a progressive movement that believers should instead follow today. Let's stick with what is clearly written without any tweaking.
No need for presumption ever! Let's not venture beyond the clear, authoritative boundaries firmly set in Scripture.
God's word means what it says, and says what it means -- don't mess with it.
The traditional, grammatical-historical method of exegesis recognizes the danger of such subjective interpretations found in trajectory-hermeneutics. It emphasizes the need for faithfulness to the actual words of Scripture, always taking into account the original languages, culture, and context of each and every passage. When we employ biblical hermeneutics, we anchor ourselves in what God has said, not in what we imagine He said.. what He might be leading us toward. We can proceed with a confidence that pleases him. This careful, reverent approach ensures that we don’t drift into applying human ideas, fickle feelings, trends or cultural preferences into God’s unchanging truth.
The apostle Paul, in his instruction to Timothy, highlighted the importance of rightly handling God’s Word: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
The traditional, grammatical-historical method of exegesis recognizes the danger of such subjective interpretations found in trajectory-hermeneutics. It emphasizes the need for faithfulness to the actual words of Scripture, always taking into account the original languages, culture, and context of each and every passage. When we employ biblical hermeneutics, we anchor ourselves in what God has said, not in what we imagine He said.. what He might be leading us toward. We can proceed with a confidence that pleases him. This careful, reverent approach ensures that we don’t drift into applying human ideas, fickle feelings, trends or cultural preferences into God’s unchanging truth.
The apostle Paul, in his instruction to Timothy, highlighted the importance of rightly handling God’s Word: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
This command underscores the necessity of precision and integrity in our interpretation work.. of steering clear of reading too much into the text or distorting its meaning to fit our desires or modern contexts.
The beauty and power of biblical hermeneutics lie in its simplicity and trust in Scripture’s sufficiency.
The beauty and power of biblical hermeneutics lie in its simplicity and trust in Scripture’s sufficiency.
Some might say we need to (many respected religious leaders might says we need to).. but we really never need to look for new trajectories beyond what God has clearly revealed. They tell us to go with the flow, or with the majority, but the majority (even found in the Bible) is often wrong. Many dead fish floating downstream in the flow doesn't make it beautiful. Go against the current of this corrupt world system -- while living with the Lord swim against the current so to speak. Stick with all the truths in the Bible.
The Bible, interpreted through its own context and on its own terms, is a good and complete guide for our faith and practice as we seek to please the Lord. The Bible stands as a living, active (not passive or lazy), and unchanging Word, speaking directly into our lives today without the need for further "extensions" or developments outside of what has already been written.
By sticking to biblical hermeneutics, we take a stand for the integrity of God’s revelation, ensuring that our understanding from illumination of, and wise application of Scripture is grounded in truth. We honor and glorify the Lord.
We have opted to honor this Book as the final authority in all matters of life and faith, trusting that God’s Living Word is sufficient for every situation we will face, without the need for speculative interpretations that take us beyond the solid foundation that He has given us. Please make sure you know and follow the Jesus of the Bible. Come to Him, come back to him right here and now.
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