Pastoral Letter 02 Sep 2018

The Bible is God's Word. How do we interpret it correctly especially when it comes to difficult verses or passages? The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself. Let me quote from David Cooper's golden rule of Bible interpretation: “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning.” The Westminster divines affirmed similarly, “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly” (WCF I:9).

Although there are 66 books in our Bible, it is actually one book. The Bible is made up of both the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books). And they are not to be seen as divided. They are one, both linked and closely united together. They are not separated. To understand God's Word fully and completely, we need both Old and New Testaments. That is why Augustine said, "The New is in the Old contained and the Old is by the New explained," and "The New is in the Old concealed, and the Old is by the New revealed."

It will take us a whole lifetime to study God's Word and we will never be able to exhaust the richness of His Word. Having said that, whatever we know and keep knowing, let us seek God's wisdom and help to obey what we have known and learnt. It is always God's mind that every true interpreter of Scripture should seek. Why do we want to know the right interpretation in the first place? It is not to show off our ability to be able to answer the most difficult questions that even the professors of theology are unable to explain. No, but rather, it is for us to know what God's will is so that we will humbly obey and fulfill faithfully what is required of us by God.

It is important therefore that we seek the Holy Spirit's help as we study the Bible diligently. And in the course of our study, let us take note that Scripture cannot contradict Scripture. The Bible will never contradict itself. We must let Scripture explain Scripture. The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. Always yield to the Holy Spirit's leading to shed light upon the Bible passage with the right interpretation. It requires on our part to study diligently as Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). The Bible can be understood even by a little child when the Holy Spirit gives understanding. Without the Holy Spirit, even a professor in theology will not be able to understand the spiritual meaning of the Bible.

To know God's Word rightly, let us do our part by giving all diligence to the study of God's Word with the help of the Holy Spirit. May God help us. Amen.


Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dennis Kwok



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