Private Interpretation of the Scripture
By L. A. S.
Of the Word of God it is declared by inspiration that “no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21. What, then, is private interpretation of the Scripture? This involves a point upon which the Catholic Church, as opposed to Protestantism, lays much stress. According to the language of the text quoted, the true interpretation of the Scripture—that interpretation which is not private—is from the Holy Ghost. And to this agree the words of John 16:13-15: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. . . . He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” Further proof might be cited from the same authority if it were needed. What, then, shall we conclude with reference to “the right of private judgment”? Manifestly, private judgment has no place in God’s plan of bringing mankind to a saving knowledge of the truth. Human judgment is left out altogether; for human wisdom is wholly insufficient to comprehend truths so deep as those which have to do with the salvation of the soul from sin. No man can advance a single step heavenward by the aid of his own private judgment; and if it were to affirm this truth that We Roman Catholics contend with Protestants over “the right of private judgment,” their position in the matter would be well taken. But in reality, the very opposite of this is the case. The Catholic theologian points the seeker after divine truth to the church “fathers,”—to the decrees of councils and of popes, and the word of priest and prelate. Through them, and them only, must come his knowledge of the divine will and of all gospel truth. But this is only a human source of information; for pope and prelate and church father are no less human than is the one who is pointed to them as being the oracles of truth. And this being so, their5judgment, their interpretation, is no less private than is that of any individual who may have no official standing in the church at all. Official standing does not in the least lessen the gulf between man’s wisdom and God’s. Adoration of the human does not in any degree invest what is human with the attributes of divinity. The pronouncements of church councils and of popes, the commands of priest and of prelate, represent therefore only private judgment and private interpretation of the will of God, in the strictest sense. The “right of private judgment” is one which the Catholic Church not only claims for its spokesmen, but sets up as overshadowing the equal right of all other persons; all persons, it declares, must accept the private interpretation of Scripture given by the church authorities. What it points to as the fatal flaw in the Protestant system, is a fundamental error in its own system. It puts the human in the place of the divine, and points mankind to that in which there can be no salvation. He who would know the truth as it is in Jesus, he who would be made wise unto salvation, must pass by all private, human judgment respecting the will of God, and accept that interpretation which comes from the Holy Spirit. Though all men should unite in declaring a doctrine to be taught by the Word of God, it would constitute but a private interpretation, unreliable and wholly unsuitable as a foundation of faith. God’s Word alone is infallibly true, and the Holy Spirit is the one infallible guide. A knowledge of gospel truth does not depend upon the possession of worldly wisdom, upon scholarly attainments, or high intellectual endowments. It does not depend for one person upon the will or wisdom of another. It depends upon faith, and is therefore equally free to all. Things hidden from the wise and prudent are revealed unto babes because the latter are willing to give God the glory. The Holy Spirit can illuminate the lowliest mind, and will never fail the humble seeker after heavenly wisdom.