Dr Paul Allen

Christians are often taught to interpret the Bible literally. There are problems that can come out of overemphasizing literal interpretation.  If we interpret the text at face value, so the idea goes, we’ll more often than not be interpreting Scripture correctly. This approach—though well-intentioned—isn’t always the best strategy, for several reasons. One is that the most straightforward reading can produce bizarre outcomes. Genesis 4:1 is a case in point: “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.’” We might look at this verse and see nothing amiss, but the English translation is concealing a controversial problem. In Hebrew, Eve says, “qanithi ish eth-YHWH.” The English words “the help of” were supplied by the translator of the ESV; they are not represented in the Hebrew text. In addition, the Hebrew verb qanah (the basic form of the word qanithi, translated “I have gotten” in the ESV) el...

There is continuity between the Old and New Testaments, but there is also significant discontinuity. We are a New Testament people and a new covenant people. Therefore, when we read the Old Testament, we must read it in light of its fulfillment in Christ; that is to say, we must employ a distinctively Christological hermeneutic. Christians, therefore, must not resent, ignore, dismiss, or uncritically exalt the Old Testament. Christ did not come to abolish the Old Testament but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17). His followers must always remember that our Bible begins with Genesis, not Matthew.  The Old Testament was written for our instruction and is profitable even now in the new covenant era “for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Further, in Romans 15:4, Paul writes, For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. ...

When removed from its context, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (NIV Philippians 1:21) appears to say that we can experience true life through knowing Jesus Christ personally and interacting with Him in all of our experiences. This truth is taught by other Bible passages (John 10:10; 17:3; Galatians 2:20). When Philippians 1:21 is interpreted this way, it beautifully expresses what many people have experienced. Perhaps that is why many people interpret this text this way. Yet, as we have discovered, the context indicates that Paul probably meant Philippians 1:21 to mean, “For to me, to continue to live means I will serve Christ more and will produce more fruit for Him. If I die, I will gain, because I will go to be with Him.” You might ask, “Is it wrong to interpret a Bible text differently than what the author intended it to say?” God often speaks to His people through His word about our lives. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged ...