President’s Message July-August 2013

Dear members and friends of our ELS:
“Isn’t it just a matter of interpretation?” That is a familiar remark. Christians who carefully follow the words of the Bible are confronted both by non-believers and other Christians who question the clear statements of God’s Word. For many people, the expression, “That’s just your interpretation!” becomes an out—a convenient way to dismiss what God’s Word really says.
True. A wide range of Bible interpretations are used by religious groups and individuals. You can expect such variety when their approach to the Bible from the outset is less than that of the sacred writings of the prophets, apostles, and evangelists. The webpage of a large Lutheran church offers this opinion: “Because biblical writers, editors and compilers were limited by their times and world views, even as we are, the Bible contains material wedded to those times and places. It also means that writers sometimes provide differing and even contradictory views of God’s word, ways and will.” People in the pew can be expected to question what is truthful in Scripture if leaders prejudice their minds to see the Bible only as inspirational but humanly fallible.
The wide gap existing in biblical interpretation does not mean one can never be certain of which interpretation is correct. There is only one Spirit-intended meaning for each passage in Scripture. God is never the author of confusion. When He speaks to us in His word-for-word inerrant and inspired Book, He is using human language to convey specific truths for our lives.
So, how can a person be sure of the proper meaning? By the Berean method. The Berean Christians in Acts 17 were commended for their conscientious study of the Word. Notice how they approached the Old Testament writings as transmitting truth. This was a given. In our post-modern era, the concept of absolute truth—primarily in religion—is mocked. But God is not mocked. He has delivered His foolproof truth to us in writings over many centuries by men He chose as His instruments. Jesus directed all to this Word of God when He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
It is not necessary for every individual to know Hebrew and Greek before being assured of the truth. Our pastors are trained in the original Bible languages, but they also know that the entire body of Christian doctrine is revealed in passages clear enough for the average layperson to understand.
What beauty is in the Book! Our God tells us sinners of our salvation from damnation. He tells us how His own Son came in human flesh to be our Savior. He tells how through faith in Him we have an amazing future in store for us: eternal life with Him!
Rev. John A. Moldstad, ELS President