As part of my hermeneuticsHermeneutics (/ˌhɜːrməˈnjuːtɪks/) is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, as well as philosophical texts. It involves considering the genre, historical context, authorial purpose (stated or implied), narrative and linguistic context, logic, and other rules for interpretation and application. More class, we must read some of the works of John Owen (1616-1683), one of the greatest (and often least known) Protestant theologians of history, and by many accounts, the greatest that England has ever produced. In this week’s reading from Pneumatologia, we read Owen’s thoughts on illumination (the role of the Spirit of God in helping us understand scripture) and perspicuity (the understandableness of scripture and it’s message). One of the questions he answers is, if God wanted us to understand Him, why are the scriptures not written in a more didactic fashion?
Owen states the accusation that men make, or the problem of the scripture’s presentation of truth, in this way:
Some think they have an advantage to charge the Scripture with obscurity, and do thereon maintain that it was never intended to be such a revelation of doctrines as should be the rule of our faith. Had it been so, the truths to be believed would have been proposed in some order unto us, as a creed or confession of faith, that we might at once have had a view of them and been acquainted with them; but whereas they are now left to be gathered out of a collection of histories, prophecies, prayers, songs, letters or epistles, such as the Bible is composed of, they are difficult to be found, hard to be understood, and never perfectly to be learned.
In other words, scripture is obscure, and inefficient, if not ineffective, because it is not presented didactically (though, as Owen remarks, some parts like the books of Romans and Hebrews ARE presented as organized doctrinal treatises).
Owen defends the current organization and presentation of the scriptures with these points:
1. We should assume that the method in which the scriptures are presented to us IS the best way to communicate such truths.
It is a sufficient reason to prove this the absolutely best way for the disposal of divine revelations, because God hath made use of this and no other.
While this certainly appears to be circular reasoning, what he is really saying is that we should, at least for the moment, put aside our pre-supposition that didactic presentation of truths is the best way in which such truths should be captured and communicated, and assume for the moment that a different method may actually be better for accomplishing the ends of God and scripture, which is to transform us with the truth and bring us into relationship with the Creator.
2. Didactic teaching, as opposed to communicating through stories, poetry, and other methods, robs them of their power
God puts not such value upon men’s accurate methods as they may imagine them to deserve, nor are they so subservient unto his ends in the revelation of himself as they are apt to fancy; yea, ofttimes when, as they suppose, they have brought truths unto the strictest propriety of expression, they lose both their power and their glory. Hence is the world filled with so many lifeless, sapless, graceless, artificial declarations of divine truth in the schoolmen and others.
In fact, he goes on to explain how the “occasional occurrences of truth” within stories and such actually have a much greater transformative effect than organized teaching:
But how many millions of souls have received divine light and consolation, suited unto their condition, in those occasional occurrences of truth which they meet withal in the Scripture, which they would never have obtained in those wise, artificial disposals of them which some men would fancy! Truths have their power and efficacy upon our minds, not only from themselves, but from their posture in the Scripture. There are they placed in such aspects towards, in such conjunctions one with another, as that their influences on our minds do greatly depend thereon. He is no wise man, nor exercised in those things, who would part with any one truth out of its proper place where the Holy Spirit hath disposed and fixed it.
3. “Artificial methodizing” of truth may help us in our comprehension, but such ready comprehension may actually hinder the type of intuitive apprehension of truth that actually transforms us.
Artificial methodizing of spiritual truths may make men ready in notions, cunning and subtile in disputations; but it is the Scripture itself that is able to ‘make us wise unto salvation.’ Such a systematical proposal of doctrines, truths, or articles of faith, as some require, would not have answered the great ends of the Scripture itself. All that can be supposed of benefit thereby is only that it would lead us more easily into a methodical comprehension of the truths so proposed; but this we may attain, and not be rendered one jot more like unto God thereby.
The main point of scripture study, and the pursuit of truth, is to be changed by it. And the problem with us is that, we usually think that, once we have understood truth, we have embodied it, and such predigested doctrinal presentations lend themselves to this habit of self-deception.
A nice way to summarize this is that the purpose of scripture is not merely to inform us, but to transform us.
If any expect that the Scripture should be written with respect unto opinions, notions, and speculations, to render men skillful and cunning in them, able to talk and dispute about all things and nothing, they are mistaken. It is given us to make us humble, holy, wise in spiritual things; to direct us in our duties, to relieve us against temptations, to comfort us under troubles, to make us to love God and to live unto him, in all that variety of circumstances, occasions, temptations, trials, duties, which in this world we are called unto….
Sometimes an occasional passage in a story, a word or expression, shall contribute more to excite faith and love in our souls than a volume of learned disputations. It doth not argue, syllogies, or allure the mind; but it enlightens, persuades, constrains the soul unto faith and obedience. This it is prepared for and suited unto.
4. So that we would rely on illumination rather than merely our own understanding
Our tendency is often to rely on our own wisdom and abilities, rather than reaching for and depending on God to teach us. In fact, we might entirely avoid interaction with God in favor of intellectual apprehension of truth if reason alone could reveal to us the meaning, impact, and application of scripture to our lives.
It will appear obscure unto all men who come to the reading and study of it in the mere strength of their own natural abilities;
In fact, as I mentioned previously when discussing whether or not we can be sure of our spiritual convictions, illumination is necessary in order to overcome our own spiritual ignorance, corruptness, and limitations there is unto the understanding of it use made of that aid and assistance of the Spirit of God concerning which we do discourse. Without this the clearest revelations of divine supernatural things will appear as wrapped up in darkness and obscurity: not for want of light in them, but for want of light in us.
And in fact, the necessity of illumination means that even those with lesser intellectual capabilities can take heart, because they have access to the teacher (the Holy Spirit), and can, at least in a spiritual sense, know as much about God and his ways as the well-schooled.
Thus all things are made plain unto the meanest capacity; yet not so, but that if the most wise and learned do not see the characters of infinite divine wisdom on things that seem most obvious and most exposed unto vulgar apprehension, they have no true wisdom in them.
5. To hide the truth from the proud and self-righteous
When Jesus was asked why he spoke in parables, here’s how he responded:
And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’
He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.’
Owen observes:
The minds of men are prepossessed with opinions, dogmas, principles, and practices in religion, received by tradition from their fathers; or have vehement and corrupt inclinations unto such ways, practices, and opinions, as suit their carnal reason and interest.
It is no wonder if such persons conceive the Scripture dark and obscure; for they can neither find that in it which they most desire, nor can understand what is revealed in it, because opposite unto their prejudices, affections, and interests. The design of the Scripture is, to destroy that frame of mind in them which they would have established; and no man is to look for light in the Scripture to give countenance unto his own darkness.
Some things are in the Scripture disposed on purpose that evil, perverse, and proud men stumble and fall at them, or be farther hardened in their unbelief and obstinacy….
So our Lord Jesus Christ affirms that he spake unto the stubborn Jews in parables that they might not understand.
6. The scriptures were written to communicate truths across history, with different emphases at different times.
It was not given for the use of one age or season only, but for all generations, for a guide in faith and obedience from the beginning of the world to the end of it. And the state of the church was not always to be the same, neither in light, knowledge, nor worship….
If all divine truths had from the first been stated and fixed in a system of doctrines, the state of the church must have been always the same; which was contrary unto the whole design of divine wisdom in those things.
As for types, allegories, mystical stories, and obscure predictions, he made use of them under the Old Testament on purpose to draw a veil over the things signified in them, or the truths taught by them; for the church was not yet to be acquainted with the clear knowledge of the things concerning Jesus Christ and his mediation.
Simply put, didactic teaching does not really lend itself to items that must be communicated metaphorically or in a veiled fashion.
CONCLUSION
From Owens’ writing, one can deduce many more reasons why the scriptures presented in the manner that they are, but they are less central than those presented above (IMO) – they include:
- The scriptures were written in a non-methodical fashion in order to necessitate the work of the ministry – that is, to allow people with gifts in teaching and preaching to serve the church
- To make the truths somewhat hard to find so that men would make an effort to seek God and work for truth, rather than just giving it away cheaply, and in so doing, cause men to take it for granted.
- To force us to come across other truths than merely those we are looking for – because often, we need or will need truths that we never sought for.
All in all, some very interesting theology.
See Part 2: Why are the scriptures not written more plainly?