03.11. Rule 2 - Discover the Facts and Truths Presented in a Given Passage
The second step in interpreting the scriptures IN THE LAST INSTALLMENT of this series we studied what I designated as "The First Rule of Interpreting the Scriptures." In our examination of this first step we saw that a person must understand who the author of a writing is, the time of his writing, the occasion of his doing so, the specific purpose for which he wrote, and the times in which he and the people addressed lived. When anyone has this data, he can, as a rule, interpret more accurately what is said. He can catch the drift of the thought and can see the connection between statements more clearly than otherwise.
The next rule for the interpretation of language as it pertains to the Scriptures may be stated thus: The second rule of interpretation is to discover the facts and truths presented in a given passage and note the exact wording of the text.
Having gleaned all that we can from the data in hand regarding the author and the recipients of a communication, the times and the seasons, and the occasion of such a communication, a person is in a position to apply the second rule or step of interpretation in his effort to get at the message which the author intended to convey.
Note carefully every statement that is made and every fact that is stated in any given passage.
"Facts" defined: A fact is that which has been done, a reality, truth (Facts always overthrow theories that are not in harmony with truth.)
Collect the facts under the following headings:
Historical Facts
Scientific Facts
Physical Facts
Spiritual Status
Classify the facts which are presented by any text of Scripture under rules of grammar.
Analyze every sentence for every part of speech used.
Take note of type of sentence used.
Note the theme of the paragraph or passage.
Note whether or not the subject is acting or being acted upon.
Note the motive if any, which prompted the act.
Note whether or not anyone is affected by what is said or done.
Discover the truths in every passage and analyze them in the light of the great and fundamental principles or truths which control man in every sphere of his activity.
The physical world is controlled by laws.
The mind is controlled by unbreakable laws and principles.
In the field of ethics and religion there are inflexible truths and principles.
In the spiritual realm also unchangeable and unvarying principles and truth are operating.
Note the exact wording of the text.
Words are symbols of ideas.
Every word and every group of words sets forth a definite, specific meaning. This is especially true of the Scriptures, which are the profoundest of writings and which are more than the writings of uninspired men.
Analyze every word for its true meaning in any given text.
The following is a limited application of this rule:
The text: Genesis 1:1-2 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Analysis of the text:
"In the beginning." This is a prepositional phrase referring to that part of eternity which antedated time (time began with creation).
"God" is the subject and He did the acting.
The verb "created" denotes to bring into being that which had no prior form or substance.
"Heavens and earth" constitute the object upon which God acted. (It would take Glenn or Carpenter 13,743 years to travel to the nearest star at the speed of 17,500 mph).
In the light of Isaiah 45:18, "And the earth was waste and void" may be understood as follows: "But the earth became a desolation and a waste."
"And darkness was upon the face of the deep" implies that there was light here first, but that after a catastrophe darkness enveloped the earth.
In the light of fundamental truths of the Bible the clause "and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" reveals that the Third Person of the Trinity moved or brooded upon the face of the waters.
Exercise: Analyze Psalms 2:1-3.