The Secret Things of God

[EricRauch]

Hermeneutics is the technical word for the study of interpretation. We "do" hermeneutics every day in the routine of our lives. Anytime we receive messages from someone else—whether written, verbal, or non-verbal—we must "decode" those messages to arrive at what we believe is what the other person was trying to communicate. Some messages are much clearer than others, i.e. less prone to interpretational difficulty. For example, "Watch Out!," is less likely to be misunderstood than, "that's an interesting painting." Some messages are actually designed, like the one about the painting, to be arbitrary. When my mom doesn't like a particular food, she will call it "different." Technically there is nothing untrue about calling something "different," but the real purpose is to avoid the unpleasant social situation of telling the cook that his food stinks. Since I am aware of this (having made some "different" food of my own), I am a better "interpreter" of what my mom really means, than is someone she has just met. Knowing what the "code" is, my hermeneutical abilities in this one area are better than others due to experience.

Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that "the secret things belong to the Lord." This passage has been used countless times by pastors and teachers to try and wiggle out of interpretive difficulties in the Scriptures. In his second epistle, the apostle Peter admits that some things in Paul's letters are "hard to understand." He further informs his readers that "the ignorant and unstable twist [Paul's words] to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Pet. 3:15-16). In this passage, Peter is warning his readers of the very real danger of improper hermeneutics. He tells them that misinterpreting Scripture can actually lead to destruction. This is why James soberly advises his readers to carefully think about becoming a teacher: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1). If God places such a price on His truth, and knowing that the "secret things" belong to Him, how can we know anything? The rest of Deuteronomy 29:29—the part that most pastors do not quote when they appeal to this verse—gives the answer: "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

The canon of Scripture—the completed, inspired and infallible word of God—is the Bible. The Bible is God's revelation to His people, His instructions to them. What Deuteronomy 29:29 is actually teaching is that the things which God has NOT revealed—things like how He can be One and Three, or how He can be omnipresent, or why He elected some and not others—are not for us to understand, they are "secret." However, the things that God HAS revealed, which is to say everything in the Bible, are meant to be understood and obeyed. Peter wasn't condemning the false teachers for teaching the Scriptures, he was condemning them for teaching them wrongly. But the question will arise: "How can we know if we are teaching the Bible rightly or wrongly, when even Peter said that some of it was difficult to understand?" The answer is a simple one: "Hermeneutics;" but how, when, and where to apply hermeneutics is a more difficult answer, one that takes years of practice and familiarity with the Bible itself.

Jim Jordan has been studying the Bible his entire life and is a very gifted teacher. Jordan understands the "analogy of faith," a hermeneutical principle that has existed since the days of the early church—often simplified as "Scripture interprets Scripture." The analogy of faith states that the unclear passages of Scripture must be interpreted in light of the clear passages. In other words, the Bible teaches one message, it does not contradict itself. Knowing this, we can safely deduce that one portion of Scripture will not contradict another portion. As faithful interpreters of the Bible, we must allow the Bible to teach us and not allow ourselves to reinterpret the Bible to fit our own preconceived ideas about what it teaches. For example, we know that the Bible teaches that God is absolutely sovereign over everything in His creation, so we must not take control away from Him at any moment, even if we have the noble intention of preserving God's reputation. Christians have a tendency to do this when the topic of sin comes up. But, if God is sovereign over everything, then He is also sovereign over sin, no matter how uncomfortable this may make us. The how of this truth is one of the "secret things," but the fact of it is one of the "revealed things."

Over the course of six lectures in his audio series, Reading the Bible (AGAIN) for the First Time, Jordan helps his students to begin to "see" with biblical "eyes," by applying the analogy of faith time and again to familiar passages in the book of Genesis. One of the very real problems with biblical hermeneutics is that we tend to overlook important details when we read the Bible. Biblical scholarship over the last two centuries has become overly enamored with a "systematic theology" approach, and less concerned with "biblical theology." Jordan applies a biblical theology to the book of Genesis and brings out many details that have long been ignored. Seemingly mundane things like the rising of the sun, clothing, land and water, washing of hands, and moving from place to place take on a whole new significance when they are understood biblically. The Bible builds upon itself and we should not overlook recurring word pictures. Jordan understands the Bible is a work of literature, written by God Himself, and we must understand it as such. Although the Bible does contain maxims and laws, interpreting it as only a book of maxims and laws (like the Koran) misses the bigger picture of what it is trying to communicate. Jordan helps modern students of the Bible, steeped as they are in the minutiae of systematic theology, to step back and look at the whole picture of the biblical revelation; understanding the Bible as a story of growth and maturity—from childhood to adulthood, from immaturity to wisdom.

I can think of no better series than this one to introduce someone to the topic and practice of hermeneutics. Jordan's teaching is sometimes abstract and brain-challenging, but so is the Bible itself. Jordan helps his students to see that Deuteronomy 29:29 is not some hidden escape clause endorsing hermeneutical laziness, but a call to a deeper and more observant reading (and hearing) of the words of God Himself. God has revealed Himself in His Word and he expects His children to read and understand. The "things revealed" belong to us and our children FOREVER, so we should probably set ourselves to learning them now. God's truth is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and the things revealed will be ours in heaven just as they are on earth. Reading the Bible (AGAIN) for the First Time is a great place to begin to motivate yourself to look deeper and think longer about the profound but simple truths of God's revealed Word.

[Lumberjack]

Thank You Eric Rauch,
Paul exhorts Timothy to rightly divide [ understand ] the Word of God, to be a teacher of the Word so that he won't be ashamed when he meets the Lord face to face. I believe this command is applicable to every Christian. We are all called to be teachers of the Word, to the abilities given us. Jesus said that He ,ultimitely, won't judge us. The Word will judge us . The standard will be and is the Word.
The one that opens the door to understanding is the Holy Spirit. Hearing the voice of the Spirit, recognizing the voice of the Spirit is critical. Religious Spirits impersonate the Holy Spirit. They operated thru the Pharisees, challenging Jesus on his every move saying he worked under the power of an evil spirit, and they are alive and well in the church today.
Eph. 1:17 tells us to pray for the" Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him." The word " knowledge " literally means "intimacy", as a man "knows intimately" his wife. Asking God to give us more of His Spirit draws us closer to the Lord Jesus and then we begin to hear His voice.

Jesus came to bring us a Relationship, not a Religion

Regards, Lumberjack

[HappyHappy 1]

Nothing is a secret.That is what Revelation is all about it means to Reveal. GOD said I have fortold you all things have you read it.Yes he did.Just look around today it is in the scriptures look at history from the scriptures and you see the future.It is like reading tommorrows newspaper the great thing is GOD is truth.

[Ridge Runner]

"The Bible" is a collection of testimonies, canonized by the testimony of "the congregation". Over the centuries, "the congregation" has become a diffuse and contentious collection of communities, having a variety of positions on the boundaries of the canonized collection as well as the meaning of the testimonies that fall within their various chosen boundaries. Part of the hermeneutical task, if your "analogy of faith" principal is sound, is to define that boundary properly, since leaving out too much, or including too much, will have a profound effect on the outcome of "comparing Scripture with Scripture". If one is going to read "THE" Bible again, as though it were for the first time, an important subtask of that project would be a full look at the "testimony of the congregation" concerning how the boundaries of the canonical text have been determined, a discussion of the many candidates for inclusion, and the testimony and authority claims of the members of the congregation who have made proclamations of what the boundaries are (what was excluded and why, what has been included, and the basis for claiming that the "included" set is complete). "Sola Scriptura" is an empty slogan without a definitive testimony concerning the setting of the boundaries, which testimony becomes a necessary part of the contents.

I agree with Lumberjack that the key for individual believers, who are left without a clear testimony of the boundaries of "the Word", is intimacy with the Author. As he says,
'The one that opens the door to understanding is the Holy Spirit. Hearing the voice of the Spirit, recognizing the voice of the Spirit is critical. . . . . Eph. 1:17 tells us
to pray for the" Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him." The word " knowledge " literally means "intimacy", as a man "knows intimately" his wife.
Asking God to give us more of His Spirit draws us closer to the Lord Jesus and then we begin to hear His voice.'

I do not have to know "everything" you have said to "everybody" to know you very well. Of course the more I know about what you have said and done, the better resources I will have available to know you. However, "complete" intimacy is not to be had for mortal creatures this side of eternity. Pretending otherwise is a plan for failure.

Ridge Runner

[Checkeredsquare]

When ever I find someone giving advice I like and then they go and screw it up with a contradiction I have to laugh. I think you need to step away from your own systematic and examine your defense of "completed". I see you have believed in the cannon after and (above) the written word. It has been hard to point out this error for me. Do not add to or take away from the word. Again and again we are warned not to add to the word of God. The words THE END as in the end of scripture and God's ability to inspire or reveal things has not been made clear by scripture. I find myself at this point open to His working not quenching the Spirit nor mandating that God has to work to write a message to us again. This point of insight or maturity has lead to many discussions not much fruit. Please keep an open mind about your own systematic and the completed cannon that wraps up the preconcieved view. IF you have any scripture that ends His Revelation I would welcome looking at my possible error- but I warn you I have found none. I find no evidence of God to believe in the pannel of the cannon especially the teaching of the end. Rather we are to look at their reasoning.

[RustyCarr]

"Reading the Bible again for the first time" strikes a cord with me. I read the entire Bible after my first son was born. I was 23 at the time and I had been raised to believe that I was a Christian. I worked hard and earned a super career, however, my "Christian" wife and I argued over her need for a social life. I thought it was normal and once I was able to transfer out of our depressed small town, she would grow up and not need the "friends" in the bar.

As the time for a transfer grew nearer, the arguments intensified. She was provacative toward me, while telling friends whom we grew up with that she had reason to fear me. I came to realize that she wanted me to hit her so that she would have a legitimate reason for divorce. I never did, but she made her move anyway. No love in her, just narcisism and an unhealthy need to be the center of attention.

I began reading the Bible with a new perspective. Family and friends became suspect. They said they were Christians, but something was seriously wrong with the picture. They did not KNOW THE TRUTH, and if they didn't know it, HOW COULD THEY LOVE IT AND UNDERSTAND IT?

The first time through the Bible, it didn't click. The second time through the Bible, THE WORDS JUMPED OFF THE PAGE. Adam and Eve knew God. They were created in his image, character, wisdom, dignity, and freedom. God is love, Adam and Eve knew the Truth about love. Then they believed a lie. Sin entered the world, but the Truth about love was preserved through Seth down to Noah. Noah loved the Truth about love (God) and sought to obey. Everyone else disregarded the Truth about love and how to do it. Many knew the Truth, but they scoffed at it and at Noah. They and their offspring died.

Abraham and His descendents were given the responsibility to preserve the Truth about love for mankind. Moses received the Laws that love requires, for if you love God and mankind, you must obey the Ten Commandments. Abraham's descendents struggled, just as the church does today. God's wrath drove them to repent.

Finally, the Messiah demonstrates the Truth about love for us. "Greater love has no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friends."

Our Master loves us. We ought to love Him enough to learn the Truth about love and give our lives in service God and to family, friends, and neighbors. I am commanded to love them in the Truth and they are commanded to love me in the Truth. What a wonderful world it would be, if only they knew and understood the Truth about love well enough to teach it and not be offended by it.

Jn 14:15 If you love me, you will teach your offspring the Truth. Jn. 8:31,32

Jesus brought a Father's love to mankind, so that fathers could enjoy passing it on to their offspring.....

The correct perspective for reading the Bible? God is love, but love without virtue, wisdom, justice, mercy, and courage in speaking the Truth is not love.

[HappyHappy 1]

I love reading and learning GOD'S LOVE for his children.He is our true FATHER and sometimes he has to use tough love on us.He love all of us he may not like what we do and he will let us know with his discipline and I thank him for it.Everyone has their own way of reading and studying GOD'S letter to us and that pleases him to see us learning and getting to know the love he has for us.I talk to him all day everyday just like I'm talking here he has emotions and nothing pleases him more when you talk to him even though he knows our very thoughts and knows what is in our hearts.I always try to do what is right in his eyes not what is pleasing to men (no gender).GOD is a respecter of no man he is fair and we all get what is coming to us good,bad or otherwise.The greatess love he showed us was sending his only begotten to die for our sins when he was innocent and pure.Yes we are to love our brethern and try to get along with each other the best we can but I personally will not love someone who rejects GOD and hates him I will pray for them and ask GOD to touch their hearts as only he can.And I won't be a door mat for people who mock GOD or try to tell me how to worship and pray.We are in those times where some are trying to take GOD out of our country our lives. WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN GOD WE TRUST. His son died for me so I do my best to live for him and will never be ashamed of saying Jesus is my LORD and SAVIOR and GOD is my true FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT lives in me always for guidance and direction.I thank GOD everyday for his unmerited favor thru grace.

[Rockerbabe]

Hum. . .the bible can be interpreted lots of different ways and it depends on who is doing the interpretation at the time and what point that person is trying to make. The bible has been used over the centuries to beat, abuse and humilitate women. The bible has been used to deny women medical assistance or medication during childbirth. The bible has been used to deny women an education, rights to their children, rights to the fruits of the labor and rights in marriage. The bible has been used to justify slavery and mistreatment of every kind. The bible has been used for whatever people want when it comes to justifying denying another their humanity.

It seems to me that science has discovered a lot of "God's secrets" through study, observation, research and what is known as the scientific method. Maybe science will not discover all of God's secrets, but we have made a dent in the mystery.

[shotgun]

You need to let us all know the day the Scientific Method discovers why women should have rights at all.

[Mike Bull]

Classic

[HappyHappy 1]

Yes if you cherry pick the Bible sure you could make of it what you want.But if you read it like a Novel from beginning to end with understanding you get a whole new perspective.Yes GOD is a loving mercifull FATHER but if you go against him and want to change his overall plan you will see another side of him.I as a mother love people and will help people in need when I can but you mess with my family or my faith you will see another side of me that will tell you I DON'T THINK YOU WANT TO DO THAT.We are to love one another but we don't have to take garbage from anyone.GOD says try to get along IF possible those two little letters carry alot of weight.There are some people you just are never going to get along with no matter how nice you are so when I run into someone like that I turn around shake the dust off my feet and move on let GOD handle them.

[Tom P]

You rightly state, as St. Peter does, that reading scripture without proper training and guidance can lead one to error. However, your answer to the question " "How can we know if we are teaching the Bible rightly or wrongly" is off the mark. You point to a literary technique, which even if perfect in its own right, is not going to be applied perfectly by all. The only infallible teacher of scripture is God himself, or one that is given a guarantee of God's protection from erroneous interpretation of scripture. Since most of us don't have God sitting down across the kitchen table, answering our questions, we need an infallible teacher we can go to when we have questions. A technique, hermunitics, is not a teacher. The only infallible earthly teacher, whom Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against, is the Catholic church.