Rule of Emphasis
The 7 Rules of Biblical Interpretation have stood the test of time, having long been used by many disciplines. Nonetheless, tens of thousands of Christian denominations attest to a mayriad of conflicting doctrines regarding the most essential teachings of our faith. Godblog has created The 8th Rule of Emphasis as a tool to provide some much needed clarity to honest students of the Bible.
Important Addition
Each of us daily employ a variety of means to communicate with others. Embedded in our interactions are subtle and not so subtle indicators of our thoughts and feelings. From facial expressions and verbal ques to body language and overt physical actions, we find ways to make our intentions known.
While the Bible is amazing, unique in all the world in many ways, even the Book of Books has it's limitations. Foremost is that fact that it's ability to communicate it's key messages lays in the hands it's readers. A Bible passage has no body language or facial features to strengthen or soften it's point. Outside of colorful adjectives and adverbs, scripture ability to shout and demand, cry and implore is severely limited.
Regrettably, unlike a person, the Bible lacks the ability to warn the reader when important or pivotal points are misunderstood. Or does it? Evidence abounds supporting scripture's claim of Divine inspiration and authority. A bold claim yet one being reinforced daily as ancient prophecies begin to unfold. It would stand to reason that God, in His infinite wisdom, would find a way to communicate the truths most important to a humanity.
8 Simple Criteria of 8th Rule...
As with all literature, a sincere desire to comprehend the Author's intent is a necessary ingredient to understanding scripture. With a good faith effort, simply employing the Rule of Emphasis when reading the Bible yields easily understood meta messages. The Rule of Emphasis uses the following criteria to determine the importance the Bible places on a subject or topic, directive or warning, promise or condition:
- Authority of author: Scripture itself claims to be authored by the direction of God: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Seen in this light every verse comes fro the highest Authority. Even so, in certain instances extra consideration may be given to the New over the Old Testament. The teachings of Christ would seem to merit the highest consideration. ......................
- Vitality of concept: What importance does the plain meaning of the passage's language communicate? To what degree does the author use adjectives and adverbs to accentuate the topic? ....................................
- Development of thought: How many verses are used to develop the thought? Is it continued throughout most of or the entire chapter. .....................................................................................
- Repetition of idea: To subsequent chapters continue the same or a complementary train of thought? Does the author reinforce the concept in additional Bible books? How many of the Bible's 66 books and 40 different authors develop the same or similar themes? .....................................................................................
- Detail of instruction: How much time and trouble does the author invest in detailing the concept? The more precise and compelling the instruction the more higher emphasis is being communicated. ..........................
- Indirect references: Beyond the direct language, does the author support the theme with indirect references. These might include citing other passages as well as the use of metaphor and typology. .....................................
- Stated benefits: What are the clearly stated benefits of understanding and complying with directive or meeting conditions associated with promise? ................................................................................
- Explicit or implicit warnings: What level of disappointment or danger is the author warning of? What risks are involved in failing to heed the warning? How easily reversed are the negative consequences being discussed? Are the outcomes described temporal or eternal?
Complex not Complicated
While "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so" may be a good summary of scripture, there's a little more to the Bible than that. Here's just a few Protestant Bible statistics:
- Total Books: 66
- Authors: 40
- Chapters: 1,189
- Verses: 31,101
- Words: 783.137
- Commands: 6,468
- Promises: 1,260
- Predictions: 8,000 +
- Fulfilled prophecy: 3,000 + verses
- Unfilled prophecy: 3,000
- Languages translated into: 1,200
- Bibles printed: 6,000,000,000
Thankfully, even a book with as bold a claim as that of being the Word of God has easily identifiable themes emphasized repeatedly and in detail. Additionally, scripture has this to say about itself:
"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:16-21
"There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." 2 Timothy 3:15-17 The Message
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13
"When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others." 1 Corinthians 2:13-15
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." John 16:12-14
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