In an exchange on the notion of the challenge, "Your interpretation of the Bible is no better than the interpretation of others," a lively exchange was had by all. The key to the matter was the rejection of Alan Shlemon's three principles of accepted Biblical hermeneutics, as not essentially Biblically derived.
I understood the need to draw some concepts of what interpretation is, and how much of the confusion of the idea of "interpretation" could hamper discussion and arriving at the true meaning of Scriptures. Knowing the issue as acceptance of what the message of Scriptures is clearly stating, I offered five principles that were derived from the Bible. These are:
1. The message of the Bible deserves some point of reception, whether that leads to acceptance or rejection. (Rom. 10: 17).
2. There is a sinful tendency in people to be rather dull in their reception, even in times we claim to listen intently. (Is. 29: 13; Matt. 15: 8; Mark 7: 6).
3. Unpopular messages are usually deemed false, hateful, bigotted by those who receive them. (I am now studying Amos, a man whose message was so difficult to present, God's judgment on a society that is thriving and prosperous).
4. There is a further human tendency to "honey-over" or "tone-down" the message. (Jeremiah had his Hananiah [Jer. 28]).
5. In light of principles 2-4, it is important not to go ballistic over the difficult sayings of Jesus. He asked for our ears to hear (Matt. 11: 15). To believe in them is a matter of the Spirit's working, and to actually arrive there would be, in this respect, the Spirit's most awesome miracle.
I moved that appeals to skepticism are exercises in futility. If we are to be honest interpreters, we must be honestly humble and offer the ears. Perhaps the teaching of "repentance" is the obstacle to real understanding.
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