The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible
()
About this ebook
When we start to think about God, we soon come to a point where we say, "I can discover nothing more about God by myself. I must see whether He has revealed anything about Himself, about His character, and about the way to find Him and to please Him." From the beginning, the Christian church has believed that certain writings were the Word of God in a unique sense. Before the New Testament was compiled, Christians accepted the Old Testament as their sacred Book. Here they were following the example of Christ Himself. During His ministry Jesus Christ made great use of the Old Testament, and after His resurrection He spent some time in teaching His disciples that every section of the Old Testament had teachings in it concerning Himself. Any discussion of the inspiration of the Bible gives place sooner or later to a discussion of its interpretation. To say that the Bible is true, or infallible, is not sufficient: for it is one thing to have an infallible Book, and quite another to use it. J Stafford Wright was a greatly respected evangelical theologian and author, and former Principal of Tyndale Hall Theological College, Bristol, England.
Read more from J Stafford Wright
Psalms, a Guide Psalm by Psalm Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible People Real People Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristians and the Supernatural Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnderstanding The Pentateuch Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Simplicity of the Incarnation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod, Creation, and Moses Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLocked Door Shuttered Windows Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible
Related ebooks
The Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture: What the Early Church Can Teach Us Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gospel of John for Readers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pentateuch: Interpreting Biblical Texts Series Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5John, His Gospel, and Jesus: In Pursuit of the Johannine Voice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA New Testament Survey: The Romans, The Jews, and the Christians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Quick Introduction to the Old Testament: A Zondervan Digital Short Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Portraits of Jesus: An Inductive Approach to the Gospels Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding Jesus in the Old Testament: A Zondervan Digital Short Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reading the Parables: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg & Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.'s Introduction to Biblical Interpretation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMoral Questions of the Bible: Timeless Truth in a Changing World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Acts from a Layperson's Perspective: Commentaries for Small-Group or Individual Study Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Trinity in the Stone-Campbell Movement: Recovering the Heart of Christian Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCelebrating the Law?: Rethinking Old Testament Ethics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPerspectives on the Extent of the Atonement: 3 Views Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Survey of the Old Testament Volume 1 - Genesis to Ruth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTraditional Christian Ethics: Volume One an Introduction and Indexes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFour Portraits, One Jesus Laminated Sheet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Atonement: A Biblical, Theological, and Historical Study of the Cross of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Understanding Old Testament Theology: Mapping the Terrain of Recent Approaches Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hashin’ of the Christ (Crucifixion, Resurrection & Ascension) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsResurrecting the Trinity: A Plea to Recover the Wonder and Meaning of the Triune God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscovering John: Content, Interpretation, Reception Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCalvinism In Plain and Simple English Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings101 Good Reasons to Believe: A Comprehensive Case for Christianity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristianity: The First 400 years: The forging of a world faith Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Son of God: Three Views of the Identity of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible - J Stafford Wright
About the Book
When we start to think about God, we soon come to a point where we say, I can discover nothing more about God by myself. I must see whether He has revealed anything about Himself, about His character, and about the way to find Him and to please Him.
From the beginning, the Christian church has believed that certain writings were the Word of God in a unique sense. Before the New Testament was compiled, Christians accepted the Old Testament as their sacred Book. Here they were following the example of Christ Himself. During His ministry, Jesus Christ made great use of the Old Testament, and after His resurrection He spent some time in teaching His disciples that every section of the Old Testament had teachings in it concerning Himself.
Any discussion of the inspiration of the Bible gives place, sooner or later, to a discussion of its interpretation. To say that the Bible is true, or infallible, is not sufficient: for it is one thing to have an infallible Book, and quite another to use it.
Is every statement we make actual fact? Is truth ever conveyed by other means? These, and other questions, are discussed as the author defines and comments on Literal Fact, Compressed Fact, Metaphor, Parable, Symbol, Type, Allegory, Myth, and Saga.
J Stafford Wright was a greatly respected evangelical theologian and author, and former Principal of Tyndale Hall Theological College, Bristol, England. More of his books from by White Tree Publishing are listed at the back.
The Authority and Interpretation
of the Bible
by
J Stafford Wright
This edition
©White Tree Publishing 2017
e-Book ISBN: 978-0-9954549-9-6
Published by
White Tree Publishing
Bristol
UNITED KINGDOM
wtpbristol@gmail.com
For full list of books and updated information
visit:
www.whitetreepublishing.com
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this edition.
Main Table of Contents
Cover
About the book
Introduction
Part 1: The Authority of the Bible
Chapter 1. The Word of God
Chapter 2. Inspiration
Chapter 3. Difficulties
Chapter 4. Scientific Difficulties
Chapter 5. Moral Difficulties
Chapter 6. Discrepancies
Chapter 7. Conclusion
Part 2: Interpreting the Bible
Chapter 8. Introduction
Chapter 9. Literal Fact
Chapter 10. Substantial Fact or Compressed Fact
Chapter 11. Metaphor
Chapter 12. Parable
Chapter 13. Symbol
Chapter 14. Type
Chapter 15. Allegory
Chapter 16. Myth
Chapter 17. Saga
Closing Comments
About White Tree Publishing
More White Tree books by J Stafford Wright
Part 1
The Authority of the Bible
Introduction
This book is an edited combination of two booklets written by J Stafford Wright for university students: The Authority of Scripture and Interpreting the Bible. White Tree Publishing believes that these booklets are relevant for all seekers of the truth and interpretation of Scripture.
Author’s Introduction to The Authority of Scripture
When we start to think about God, we soon come to a point where we say, I can discover nothing more about God by myself. I must see whether He has revealed anything about Himself, about His character, and about the way to find Him and to please Him.
If there is a God at all, it is likely that He has made some revelation of this kind. Otherwise, we have to suppose that He has given us a desire to worship, and a sense of difference between right and wrong, without doing anything to satisfy our need. At any rate, it is reasonable to start with the idea that God has made us as we are because He wants us to know Him and to have fellowship with Him.
If we are left to our own devices to work out some sort of religion, as best we can, we shall not get very far. We may be able to draw up some moral rules for our lives, but a moral code by itself is a cold and cheerless thing, and does not satisfy our desire to have fellowship with the Creator of the universe. Quite obviously, we are left stumbling in the dark unless God has somewhere shown us, from His side, the way to approach Him and to know Him.
Of course, there are several great religions in the world that possess sacred writings, and if this book were longer we might have a look at them all and compare their claims to be the Revelation of God. The chief points to look for in any revelation would be the following:
1. Universality. It must be suitable for all humanity, and not merely for the Eastern rather than for the