The following is written in response to a Feb. 8 column in the Benton County Daily Record and Northwest Arkansas Newspapers by Clint Schnekloth, pastor of an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation in Fayetteville.

I would agree with Clint Schnekloth that many controversies are caused by differences in Bible interpretation. But much is lacking in his reasoning for holding the Biblical texts lightly, leaving me to question the full import of his approach to Scripture.

Obviously, individuals, churches and church bodies have different beliefs which they claim are supported by the Bible. This splintering of Christianity is not, however, caused by a lack of clarity in the Bible but by the darkness of sin in our human hearts. So often we refuse to see this – we can't see it – because of our sin-darkened nature. Instead, we all have the tendency to think we are right. We even go so far as to make God after our own image, assuming that God's thoughts are our thoughts and God's ways are our ways.

The Bible itself addresses this in passages like Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." And, of course, the commandments forbid us to make graven images and likenesses, even if the engraving is done in our hearts and minds (Exodus 20:4).

There is great danger in coming to the Bible and interpreting it according to our own belief system, even if it was a system learned in a church or church body. Rather, we need to recognize the truth that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17); and "that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Therefore, when we approach the Biblical texts, we must do so humbly and with full submission to the words of the text, for they are not man's words but God's. In fact, God says, "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 66:2).

Jesus Himself held tightly to the Biblical text when He said: "The scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35); and, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). In fact, Jesus even went so far as to say, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot [the smallest Hebrew letter] or one tittle [the smallest part of a Hebrew letter] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19).

And Jesus pointed it out when His hearers misunderstood the Scriptures, saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God..." (Matthew 22:29). He even told the harsh truth to many of the religious leaders of His day, calling them "whited sepulchres" because they made themselves appear clean and righteous on the outside but were full of sin and death on the inside (Matthew 23:27-28).

Jesus' words may appear unloving and even hateful to some, but Jesus warned His hearers out of love and concern for their souls. If they did not repent and place their faith in Him, the fires of hell were in their future.

The Christian view toward Scripture – the Biblical texts – is one of humble submission. Instead of interpreting Scripture according to their own thoughts and beliefs, they bring all into submission to God and His inspired Word. Christians practice the hermeneutical principle of looking to Scripture to interpret Scripture because Christians, like Jesus, believe that the Bible is God's inspired and unerring Word. And since Scripture is given by the Holy Spirit, Christians look to the inspired Word of the Spirit, recorded in the Bible, to interpret and explain those passages of the Bible which may be unclear to their understanding. There is only one right interpretation, and that is God's. Therefore, Christians look to God and His Word to gain that right understanding.

As an example, Christians of our time may struggle with the strong words of God's law in Leviticus 18 against all sorts of perversions of God's purpose and design for marriage. How should we understand these strong words? God's judgments in Genesis 18-19, His word in New Testament passages like Romans 1:18ff., Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-6 and Rev. 21:8 leave no doubt that those who continue in such sins, impenitent, are not a part of God's kingdom and will be condemned in God's final judgment on the last day. Yes, study these passages in their Biblical context.

God is eternal and unchanging. His words do not change to fit our cultural values. And so, we must ask ourselves what is loving? To let sinners go merrily on their way to the eternal fires of hell? Or, to warn them and plead with them to repent and look to Christ Jesus for mercy and forgiveness?

God Himself tells us His will and desire: "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11; cf. 2 Peter 3:9).

Finally, and most importantly, the Christian clings tightly to the Biblical texts because they reveal to us the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is true, the Bible cuts to my heart and reveals my sin (Hebrews 4:12); but it also reveals to me the truth that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). The sacred texts tell me "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15), and I'm right up there with the apostle Paul as chief of sinners. And the Scriptures reveal to me that, for the sake of Jesus' innocent sufferings and death in my stead and His glorious resurrection, I have forgiveness for all my sins and a place in God's everlasting kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:6-7; 1 John 2:1-2; Colossians 1:12ff.). They assure me that when I die, God will graciously receive me into the joys of heaven (John 14:1ff.; Psalm 17:15).

Christians cling tightly to the Biblical texts because they are God's revealed truth. Instead of forcing God and His truth into our molds, we repent of our misbelief and unbelief and conform our faith to God's revealed truth – to the words of sacred Scripture. Christians speak the truth in love to warn those on the wrong path of God's coming judgment. And, above all, Christians cling tightly to the Biblical texts because they reveal and assure to us God's mercy and forgiveness in His Son, Christ Jesus!

Randy Moll is managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He is also the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rogers, an independent Lutheran congregation. He can be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.