Chapter 6 - The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (2) Clarity

July 29th 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC CHAPTER 6 – The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (2) Clarity Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Outline • • The Bible can be understood by those who read it seeking God’s help and being willing to follow it. A failure to understand the text of Scripture lies in the reader, not in Scripture itself. EXPLANATION AND SCRIPTURAL BASIS The Old Testament and New Testament frequently affirm that Scripture is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by ordinary believers. A) The Bible frequently affirms its own clarity. 1. In the Old Testament, the people were expected to be able to understand the words of Scripture. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Psalms 1:1-2 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 2. In the New Testament, both Jesus and the apostles have the same expectation. a) Jesus never blames people’s confusion on the obscurity of Scripture. Matthew 12:3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 1 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC July 29th 2018 b) Most of the New Testament epistles are written to entire congregations. 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Colossians 4:16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. c) New Testament authors expect that their Gentile audience would familiarize themselves with a translation of the Old Testament. Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. B. The Moral and Spiritual Qualities Needed for Right Understanding 1. The ability to understand Scripture rightly is more a moral and spiritual than intellectual ability. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. C. Definition of the Clarity of Scripture 1. The clarity of Scripture means that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God’s help and being willing to follow it. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 2 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC July 29th 2018 D. Why do people misunderstand Scripture? 1. Jesus’ disciples failed to understand all of his teaching. Matthew 15:16 Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? Mark 4:10-13 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.” And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 2. There were times in the early church when Christians did not understand or agree on the teachings of the Old Testament or about the letters written by the apostles. Acts 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. Galatians 2:11-15 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 3. In order to avoid mistakes in interpreting Scripture, many Bible teachers have developed “principles of interpretation,” or guidelines to encourage growth in the skill of proper interpretation. a) Hermeneutics: the study of correct methods of interpretation. b) Exegesis: the process of interpreting a text of Scripture. E. Practical Encouragement from This Doctrine 1. This doctrine tells us that where there are areas of doctrinal or ethical disagreement, there are only two possible causes for these disagreements: a) It may be that we are seeking to make affirmations where Scripture itself is silent. b) It is possible that we have made mistakes in our interpretation of Scripture. 2. We are not free to say that the teaching of the Bible on any subject is confusing or incapable of being understood correctly. 3. This truth should give great encouragement to all Christians to read their Bibles daily and with great eagerness. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 3 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC July 29th 2018 F. The Role of Scholars 1. They can teach Scripture clearly, communicating its content to others and thus fulfilling the office of “teacher” mentioned in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 2. They can explore new areas of understanding the teachings of Scripture. 3. They can defend the teachings of the Bible against attacks by other scholars or those with specialized technical training. Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 4. They can supplement the study of Scripture for the benefit of the church. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 4 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC July 29th 2018 SPECIAL TERMS • • • • Clarity of Scripture - The idea that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God's help and being willing to follow it. Exegesis - The process of interpreting a text of Scripture. Hermeneutics - The study of correct methods of interpreting texts. Perspicuity - An older term for the clarity of Scripture. SCRIPTURE MEMORY PASSAGE Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. NOTE: This outline is based on the outline published outline of Wayne Grudem when teaching this chapter to his enrichment class at Scottsdale Bible Church. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 5 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC July 29th 2018 HYMN “Jehovah’s Perfect Law” "Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org" Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 6 of 6