The Randy White Guide to Hermeneutics
Session 9 | Three Fundamental Rules of Interpretation
The Lesson, In a Nutshell
Theological error grows out of interpretive error, and interpretive error can largely be avoided using these three basic and fundamental principles of Biblical interpretation.
I believe so much in these three fundamental rules that I am willing to say that there is not a single exception in all the Bible. Thus, I call these rules fundamental.
Rule #1: Scripture Interprets Scripture
This rule is commonly known among almost everyone who has studied Biblical interpretation. Sadly, however, it is commonly ignored, even by those who teach it. Those who interpret can use this rule as a tremendous time-saver in study. Those who listen to or study someone else's interpretation can use this rule as a quick tool to test the accuracy of the teaching. Therefore, this is a skill that should be taught to every believer. Fortunately, tools are readily available to help any teacher or student to carry out this rule.
The method of allowing Scripture to interpret itself is simple. First, it is best to use the underlying language when searching the Scripture for its own interpretation. The reason for this is not because the King James translators may have gotten it wrong, but because you need to precisely find definition for the word you are studying. For example, you likely know that the English word love has several underlying Greek words. By using the underlying language, you are narrowing your search to the same concept. A tool like a Strong's Concordance can be used to easily find every use of a particular Greek or Hebrew word. From this list, you can see every shade of meaning and almost always quickly understand the word in full. Not every word needs to be looked up, but only those with doctrinal significance.
At times it is beneficial to look up particular phrases. When this needs to be done, a computer program can search either the English phrase or phrase as it appears in the underlying language. For example, if you look up the phrase father's house in John 14:2, you quickly see the term defined in John 2:16. You therefore do not make the mistake of interpreting John 14:2 as a heavenly home, but rather as the Temple. With this information, you can adjust your interpretation of the passage.
The Law of First Use
The law of first use lays forth the principle that the first use of Scripture sets the default definition for the word or phrase. This seems axiomatic and should be taken as such. While there are words and phrases that have meanings beyond that found in the first use, these meanings will be defined or delineated as different in some clear manner in the context.
“law" can be especially helpful in interpreting shades of meaning beyond the obvious. For example, numbers in the Bible clearly have significance beyond a mathematical count, but what are those meanings? When you find the first use of a particular number“flavor" and any dominant ideas, then assign that idea to the number for use throughout the Bible.
Day 1
Creation of matter and light
One is foundational
Day 2
Division of the waters
Two involves separation
Day 3
Grass, trees, etc.
Three involves fullness
Day 4
Lights to rule day and night
Four involves nature and natural
Day 5
Animal and plant life in abundance
Five involves abundance
Day 6
Man is created
Six involves humanity
Day 7
God is finished!
Seven involves completion
As you can see, the law of first use does not always explicitly state the sense of a word or phrase, but such a sense can be discerned and then tested in subsequent usages.
The Law of Clearest Use
“law" can be extremely helpful. If a word or phrase is used multiple times and the law of first use does not shed light on meaning, then use the law of clearest use. Find the instance when the meaning of the word or phrase is most clear, and make that the default definition. When this is done, one often finds multiple uses in which the word or phrase clearly goes with the default definition. Then, applying this default definition into the text in question, adjust your interpretation of the verse to fit the law of clearest use.
A Word of Warning
The biggest challenge in using Scripture to interpret itself is that *you actually have to allow Scripture to interpret itself*. Christianity has been so influenced by repetitive teaching that we often can't see the simple meaning of a passage because we can't see past the repetitive teaching. This is easily overcome by a dogged determination to come to the Scripture with a fresh mind, untainted by what you think you know. The more you do this, the easier it will become. But be warned: the more you do this, the more you will upset the status quo!
