Interpretation

20080531 Oasis Life Journey Blog

Reading: Gerald Bray’s Biblical Interpretation Past & Present, Intervasity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois,1996, pg. 75.

In a discussion on the uniqueness of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, Bray speaks of the book of Hebrews as laying out a new hermeneutic for understanding and interpreting Hebrew scriptures. This hermeneutic needed to recognize the authority of the Old Testament canon as Scripture and at the same time demonstrate that through Christ its central teaching had been superseded by a new revelation.

Bray then writes, “For Christians, the Torah no longer possessed absolute authority, even if it was fully inspired. God who had previously spoken by the prophets had now spoken in his Son, and that changed everything. A hermeneutic which was not Christ centered had no validity, whatever exegetical methods might be used.”

What is remarkable about this to me, is that this means that all of scripture needs to be interpreted in connection with the message, life, and way that Jesus lived. What we believe about Jesus is that he is God in flesh. He is the exact representation of God on earth. Jesus’ way holds a key in understanding God’s ‘dream’ for humanity. Jesus’ life is God’s way in the world.

This life is marked by unconditional love.

· Love that lead Jesus to eating with tax collectors and sinners.

· Love that touched lepers.

· Love that crossed boundaries to speak to an outcast Samaritan woman.

· Love that stood up and taught against religious pride, prejudice, and blindly walking on your way in the midst of injustice.

· Love that is controversially merciful.

· Love that lays his life down even for the ones who are persecuting him.

In this context how do we interpret Torah? How do we account for God’s call to destroy a nation or a people? What about Joshua going up against Jericho? What makes it right and good for David or Solomon to slaughter their enemies? What about the judges, like Samson? Samson who is praised for killing hundreds with the skull of donkey?

How might these passages and many more be interpreted in the context of Jesus’ life?