Albert Mohler on What To Do with ‘That’s Just Your Interpretation’

‘That’s Just Your Interpretation’ - I hear this on every interaction with churchgoers here in India.

Thanks for this Albert and the team at TGC!

For me, the more fundamental control on how we interpret Scripture is our presuppositions. What we assume has a direct bearing on how we read and interpret. But presuppositions are not simply arbitrary. If they were, then certainly it would be okay to say "that's just your interpretation." Establishing biblical presuppositions is both inductive and deductive. Inductive reasoning collects all the data and forms a hypothesis which best explains that data. Deductive reasoning assumes that hypothesis and reasons from it to come to conclusions about specific interpretation. We need, as a Christian community, to be better at clearly articulating and arguing for our presuppositions. Anything less than this not only undermines the faith (because it cannot show how everything fits together) but also gives a very shallow apologetic for the Bible-- it's depth, breadth, and ultimate glory

Amen

If tradition is allowed to "control" interpretation of scripture, has the formal principle of the reformation been emptied of meaning?

👍

Why can't I see any of the comments?

And that is your interpretation.

2:57 Did you mean 'Albert' Schweitzer?

In today's paper, there is an op-ed article titled "Does God also call women as pastors"? And the writers throughout the article say "God wants this, God wants that". That's like asking if Santa treats all of his reindeer the same. Or if the Easter Bunny also lays jelly beans? Stupid!

I agree that the phrase "That is just your interpretation" is a serious problem. However... my mind went in a different direction. I think the problem with the phrase above in quotes is that it comes from a subjective presupposition. Our culture is all about subjectivism, but the text , both New and OT, are grounded in a historical reality that the prophets and apostles (or amanuensis) were writing about. These were actual objective historical realities. There is a right and a wrong about how to read the bible. If your interpretation is wrong, I will present historical, grammatical, exegetical reasons your interpretation is wrong. Words do have objective meanings. Otherwise, how could we even make dictionaries of the English language? How could we make a thesaurus or grammar text books in Hebrew and Greek? Why do we make rules of syntax? Subjectivism is a non-Christian pagan philosophy. As a Christian, I will never accept situational ethics. Neither will I accept a Christ that is subjective and not an actual historical incarnate son of God. The Church fathers had councils on the nature of Christ. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. The atonement of Christ is not a subjective thing that you can interpret with any whim of fancy you desire. The gospel is objective and that is my interpretation!!!!!

Do not be deceived by empty words. Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Do not put your trust in mere man. Following someone's interpretation over God's divinity is like going to see a movie, instead of the film playing, a random person gets up and explains everything in the movie without giving respect to the one who made the film. Either God is the author of the Bible and He's the one interpreting you to the world or you believe god is just an idea and your the interpreter.

TGC - the video is unbelievably dim, lacking brightness, very poor lighting and video-correction.

cant stand when people say this, so ignorant

Of course he's not the first to talk of the biblical scriptures, but there is no consensus about them, and thousands of Christian denominations developed in the centuries for that very reason. So, when he expresses an opinion, it is indeed just his opinion, whether relying on previous exegesis or not.

Not really a good answer.

I agree in principle Rev. Mohler, but are you aware you didn't mention the Holy Spirit even once? The Lord God rebuke all who lean to their own understanding - it is anti-Christ.