Biblical Silence
Principles of Interpretation 1 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
This document and these words have provoked many discussions in this country up to the present day about the nature of the Constitution and how it should be interpreted.
Some politicians describe the Constitution as “ a living document” that should be adapted according to the times in a sort of “ fluid interpretation” model.
Others argue that the purpose of creating a written Constitution was expressly to overcome the difficulties our Founders encountered with the unwritten, and therefore “fluid,” British Constitution, where legislative or judicial whim could change the whole direction of government.
In other words, the text and its context itself should govern interpretation.
The Federalist Papers were a series of essays published anonymously in newspapers in selected states designed to encourage ratification of the Constitution and are still the best commentary on constitutional context (sometimes called intent).
The Anti-Federalist Papers were written by those who worried that the federal government would usurp its authority ( as they believed Britain’s had done) and desired a weaker national government as a result.
In effect, these groups were arguing over the extent of federal authority intended by the Constitution and the possible ramifications of how its silence would be interpreted.
Amazingly enough, this same difference in approach is what divides the religious world.
How should we understand the silence of the Bible as it pertains to religious authority?
Does its silence permit all that is not expressly or implicitly prohibited?
Or does its silence prohibit all that is not expressly or implicitly authorized?
Any document that is intended to be authoritative, if it is of any value, includes an explanation of how its silence should be understood.
This is one reason why the Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
Though some Anti-Federalists objected to these amendments on the basis that the Constitution’s silence, by not mentioning these rights, automatically guaranteed that Congress could not infringe upon them, assuming that all would accept a limiting view of silence.
Other Anti-Federalists worried that some citizens (and legislators) might not always share this view of interpretation, therefore, they proposed these amendments.
The Tenth Amendment:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it the the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
According to this amendment, the silence of the Constitution should be interpreted as prohibiting action by the federal government not authorized by the document itself.
In the same way, the Bible, and the New Testament in particular, explains how Bible students should interpret its silence. In various passages God has provided instruction regarding the meaning of His silence. Therefore, we must respect the principle of silence He Himself affirms and apply it consistently in our interpretation of scripture.
Body:
Body:
Hebrews 7:14
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
1 Corinthians 4:6-7
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
The New King James reads.
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”