What is written in the Law? How do you read it?
This is the start of a mini-series to address a friend’s question. The general topic is Culture and the Bible. I will name the mini-series, “Culture and the Word”. This will be the intro defining the question as I see it. First, a little about me, the author.
I’m just your everyday church layman. I have no formal scriptural training. All that I know comes from reading different articles, listening to sermons from pastors, and my own study of the Scripture. I’m a five point Calvinist with reformed theology. I’m non-denominational though my pastors are Presbyterian by ordination. I’d prefer if my baby wasn’t baptized (but I’m all for infant dedication) and am all about full immersion baptism. My reformed theology comes from Wayne Grudem. This is my background as I will approach the question.
Luke 10:26 He [Jesus] said to him [the lawyer], “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” This is the question, What is written in the Bible, and how do you read it? There is both objective truth written in the Bible but it also must be interpreted. For instance, Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder”. This is objective truth. Yet this needs to be interpreted. Is abortion murder? What if the baby is a result of rape, or if the mother’s life is in jeopardy, is it okay then?
Objective truth needs to be interpreted. How is truth interpreted? This is where culture comes into play. Culture affects the way we see. It influences our decisions and affects what we see as right or wrong. Culture can affect the way we interpret what we read. In this mini-series I will be addressing the interplay between culture and the Bible. Please feel free to leave comments and questions and I will do my best to address them.