A Rule for Interpreting Scripture?

Last week, I found myself in a nice little conversation about single and double predestination. (Such conversations aren't normal, I know.) In the discussion, I stated that there’s a fundamental rule for doing theology. The rule? A correct interpretation of Scripture will give rise neither to arrogance nor to despair, but to love.

I’ve been thinking about that “rule” since then. Is it really biblical? I think so. After all, each interpretation given among God’s people is supposed to “be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26) And Christian edification is edification "in love."  (Ephesians 4:16)

So the “rule” (that a good interpretation ought to evoke love) seems valid. This isn't terribly surprising, since the greatest gift of the Spirit is love. (1 Corinthians 13) And love, it should be remembered, “hopes all things” (no more despair) and “is not puffed up” (no more arrogance).

As much as this "rule of edification" can be a good one, I think it should be applied with one very important caveat in mind: the biblical definition of love is often at odds with the worldly definition of love. And, to make things even more complicated, it's the worldly definition that tends to prevail…even in the Church of God.

For that reason, all interpretation needs to be accompanied by submission to the definition of love given by God Himself. That definition is stated in 1 Corinthians 13, and it’s also given by the Bible as a whole. And most fundamentally, it is given by Christ on the Cross. Indeed, “greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Those who would interpret Scripture for the sake of edification need to cling to this definition of love. True love is not merely a feeling, but humble self-denial for the sake of another. And true edification leads not to some flimsy boost of self-confidence, but to the Cross where confidence in self is replaced by confidence in God.

Ultimately, the rule of edification can be a very good one. If it's applied with submission to God's definition of love, then it will lead to true and lasting edification. It will lead neither to despair nor to arrogance, but to love. And ultimately, I don’t think I’m going too far in saying that a truly edifying interpretation of Scripture will lead to Christ Himself.