03.33. The Law of Comparing Scripture with Scripture

The Law of Comparing Scripture with Scripture

ONE OF the characteristics of the present era is that it is imbued with what is called the scientific spirit. The word science comes from the Latin word which means "to know." Science, then, according to definition, is that which is known. In order to know anything properly, a person must have all the facts that pertain to the subject in hand. He must, not only gather the facts, but must correlate his data, and place it in proper relation in its environment.

If a person, therefore, is endeavoring to study any passage or text in a scientific manner, he must gather all the facts that bear upon the subject of the special passage, must relate them to kindred thoughts, and give them their proper place in the scheme of things. I might illustrate this process by the use of the jigsaw puzzle. The component parts are laid out for one to use in reconstructing or building all the pieces into a complete unit. When each single part is placed in its proper position with relation to others without being forced, a picture or map is thus constructed—figuratively speaking, a mosaic is formed, which presents some pattern or scene.

Again, the principle which we have under consideration may be compared to the work of a lawyer on a given case. He seeks all the information and the data that has any bearing upon the situation. The facts and material evidence, if there be any, are presented in the proper relation to other things. In the case of a trial by jury, these facts are presented by the witnesses and are summed up by the legal advisers on both sides. Then it is for the jury to decide the case upon the merits of the evidence.

In a similar way, when anyone is studying any particular subject in the Scriptures, he must examine carefully the testimony of each of the biblical writers on the subject to be investigated. The testimony of each passage must be related properly to the theme in hand in order that a clear picture may be presented by all of those giving their testimony.

Some Fundamental Principles Involved In order to gather all facts on a given subject—if a person wishes to get a complete and a clear picture of a subject—he should have a good concordance; but should know how to use it. Of course, the references in a good reference Bible are often of great advantage to the student. At the same time, many of these references are incorrect, since they have been placed there by men, fallible creatures who do make mistakes. A person must study each scripture to which a reference is made in order to determine whether or not the particular passage referred to has any bearing upon the theme under investigation. The facts of each context alone can decide this matter.

A very grave error is frequently made by considering a verse as being related to a given one because of the same words in both passages. For instance in Genesis 1:2 we see the words, waste and void, which describe the condition of the earth after it had been wrecked. In Jeremiah 4:23 we also see these same words. Many have concluded, therefore, that Jeremiah was looking backward to the same original catastrophe that overtook the primitive earth. Whenever such an interpretation as this is made, error instantly is injected into the subject. When the context of the passage of Jeremiah 4:23 is studied, it becomes immediately evident that this passage is referring to the great Tribulation, when wreckage and devastation will be the order of the day on account of the terrific judgments which the Lord will send upon the earth.

Again, we see mention made of the new heavens and the new earth in Isaiah 65:17. By looking at and studying carefully 2 Peter 3:1-13, we find reference to the new heavens and the new earth. By our studying each of these passages and getting the facts in each context, we see that both Isaiah and Peter were talking about the new heavens and the new earth of the Millennial Era. But in Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21, we also read of new heavens and a new earth. When a person studies the chronological development of the prophecies of the Book of Revelation, he sees that the new heavens and earth of these chapters are those which will be created after the Millennium has ended. To identify therefore the new heavens of Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13 with the new heaven of Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21, is a false identification. Whenever these are thus considered the same confusion is immediately introduced into the Scriptures.

Whenever a person studies the Scriptures by comparing one passage with another, he assumes that all truth harmonizes. Since the Bible is the inerrantly inspired Word of God, all of its statements must harmonize. Should there appear to be, on the surface, a contradiction, let us conclude that the discrepancy is only apparent and not real. Any such variance is to be accounted for upon the basis of our lack of knowledge or comprehension to understand the real situation which appears as inharmonious. Truth and facts, whether in the physical, material universe, or in revelation, are in perfect accord. The God who created the universe likewise made the revelation that is contained in the Scriptures. He being the God of reality, stamps truth on His material universe and states it in His Word.

It is of paramount importance that, whenever we attempt to compare scripture with scripture, we must be certain that the passages under consideration are indeed talking of the same things, persons, or events. Sometimes, upon the surface, there appears to be a connection between two passages. But when all the facts of the context of each passage are studied carefully, it frequently becomes evident that those passages that are supposed to be related are not. On the other hand, often there are passages that have bearing upon other quotations, which at a glance we do not immediately recognize. But let it be understood that the facts of the context of all passages must be thoroughly studied before any identification may be made.

We must understand that the fullness, completeness, and the clarity of a picture that is made by comparing scripture with scripture, depend upon the thorough and complete investigation that is made. If only a few passages that have bearing upon a subject are studied and considered, of course the picture or conclusion to which one is brought is only partial, limited, and incomplete. On the other hand if all related passages are studied in the light of the context of each and the facts thus gleaned are placed in the proper relationship with the others that are gathered from different passages, and if a thorough induction is made, then we have a complete and clear picture of the subject under consideration—we have all the truth that God has revealed on a given subject.