The Bible Rule of Interpretation.
By F. Gould
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter i, 20. It has often been said that the Bible "is like a fiddle," many tunes can be played, and many changes and variations can be made upon it. So we are told that we can prove most any doctrine by the Bible to suit our own notion or convenience. But let us look at this in the light of reason and revelation. There is a discrepancy somewhere; it must be one of two things: either God has failed to give us a perfect rule, inspiration has failed to point out a direct and an unbroken chain of prophecy, and a code of laws, which leads to the promotion of man's highest interest, and which will enable the professed followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, to "come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God," or else the great mass of religionists have failed to come up to the great standard rule of Bible interpretation which God has given, and are trying to work their passage by bringing the Bible to their own standard of interpretation; thus causing discord, disunion, and isms among the professed followers of Jesus Christ. I am satisfied the latter position is correct. We believe the Bible should be its own interpreter, and should be taken in its most plain and literal sense, when it can be done without destroying the harmony of its several parts. Bible truth is a unit, and in viewing it from all its various stand-points, we find that the ways leading from each of these stand-points, converge toward one common centre; and when united form a perfect whole. All the inspired writers, from Moses down to the last sacred penman, are in unison in relation to the great plan of human redemption. Those writers were not dictated by human wisdom, but by the Holy Ghost. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Pet. i, 21. Again, let us hear Paul: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, is not after man: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal. i, 11, 12. But let us here inquire into the reason183why men have lowered the standard of Christianity and Bible truth, and have departed from God, the fountain of living waters. We answer, it is the way which they have been educated, which has been upon false premises. The case of the apostle Paul will hear upon this important point. We understand that he was brought up at the feet of the learned Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner and law of the fathers, and with authority from the chief priests. He punished the saints, and compelled them to blaspheme, and persecuted them even unto strange cities, and he verily thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth; but after he was converted, and the scales fell from his eyes, his educational influence was turned, and he became a mighty and strong man in the truth of God. It is a fact worthy of note, that from the earliest period of the gospel church down to the present time, the common people who have not had the advantages of an education, have more easily and readily embraced the gospel, from the fact that they have not been influenced by educational prejudices. The poet has well said, "'Tis education forms the tender mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
Since the rise of the Advent doctrine, and especially since the proclamation of the third angel's message, there has been a class of individuals who have looked away from the great mass of corrupt teaching and false interpretation, and have learned to let the Bible stand as its own expositor. The Bible is no more to them a "sealed book;" its rich treasures are unlocked, and said the angel to Daniel, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many shall be purified, made white and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." Dan. xii, 4, 10. God will lead his people, when they take his unerring word for their guide.