See these previous posts:
http://ljtsg.blogspot.com/2013/01/revelation-138.html?m=1
Biblical interpretation is usually a straightforward business. A good translation gets the original message across fairly effectively, and all it takes is reading a passage in context and real time devoted to reflection. Acquaintance with the historical context is very helpful, and most study Bibles will supply this.
But there are some passages that are genuine puzzles. Yes, MOST Biblical passages are straightforward, but there are many that have not one but many, seemingly equally good interpretations. When faced with these, you must simply look at all options, and use your own wisdom, reason, and intuitions, prayerfully working out through your relationship with God, what you believe and why.
I've touched on this issue before and given some favorite examples. Here I will give another, making each case as if it is clear and unarguable, and as if I am certain of the answer.
Psalm 82
This is a clear indictment of the political leaders of the near east, especially Israel. God is disgusted by the leadership of His people and of political leaders in general. In the near-east, nearly all kings were thought to be divine. People worshipped their political leaders. In Israel, the king was not a god, but a son of God. God literally adopted the king as His son, and God's grace surrounded the king in a special way. The king was less than a god, but more than a man. (see: Psalm 2) He'd been given this power, this status, to act as Gods hands on Earth, to lead Gods people in His stead. Instead the kings usually abused the power. They were bad leaders and bad men. In this passage God has had enough. God will remove the power of the king, and prove to the world that the so-called gods and supermen of the near east are nothing. The power given to them to lead will be lost, and God will take direct control of the world.
This seems like a pretty good case, right? I mean, now you must be saying "oh that's it, for sure." Not so fast...
Psalm 82
As Israel experienced the horrors of oppression and domination in the world's great empires, they looked for answers to the problem of evil. One possible answer they found in the Genesis 6. There a group of angelic beings called the 'Sons of God' lusted after human women, falling from grace and setting themselves up as gods among men. They were partly responsible for the evils that brought about The Flood. The idea is that God puts angels in charge of His world, and they often rebel. This has happened again, and that is the reason for the mess the world is in. But God has initiated a cosmic battle, He will soon take control of the world directly, ending their reign of ineptitude and evil. You see parallels in Daniel 10:20-21. This is the meaning of Psalm 82.
Now if I told you that account, would you not stand convinced but for what I wrote before. In the end you have two perfectly good Biblical approaches to this text, two perfectly good ways of 'using the Bible to interpret the Bible'. There is no way to have confidence using this method alone. You have to CHOOSE what you believe, based on reason, personal experience and what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Fun, isn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment