For the past two weeks I have been reading some literary criticism and philosophy of language with a smattering of theology thrown in for taste, as preparation for a an up coming class.
Some deep stuff...that's why it has taken two week to read one article.
The article basically asks the question, where does truth lie in a statement. More particularity where does truth lie in a written statement. We wonder about this question because it has resounding implications for how we read, interpret and thus apply Scripture, especially in the creation and delivery of sermons.
The article looks at statements, propositions and assertions to find truth. Does truth reside in the words of a sentence, in the meaning of a sentence (distinguished from a sentences' words, called a proposition), or does it only exist in assertions that can be true or false.
Understanding this will set the structure for how we interpret the Bible:
-If truth is found in the words of a sentence, what does it do to truth to have the words translated, paraphrased or substituted?
-If truth is found in the proposition (something propounded for consideration) of a sentence then the words don’t matter, but the meaning behind the words is critical.
-If truth is found only in assertions that can be proved true or false (e.g. “I am 6 feet 2 inches tall” and not “Johnny, please go clean your room.”) how much of the Bible is truth?
Again, this is some deep stuff at will probably make you head hurt like it does mine.
So, here is my question, is it really this hard to find the truth of Scripture? Joe and Jane SixPack are not going to be asking any of these questions. They are not going to approach the Bible wondering about the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture if one takes a sentence-propositional distinction view of Scripture.
Honestly, they are going to be asking, “Who is Jesus and what did he teach?” They are going to be seeking hope and rescue. They are longing for redemption and restoration with God.
Yes, thoughts about the nature of language and communication are interesting and needed at some level, but are they necessary to understand the will and character of God? Or what Jesus has done for humanity? Or that sin can be forgiven?
What if Joe SixPack never understands what a proposition is or never thinks about the truth of an assertion? What if he just takes the entire Bible to be true, is he naive or missing out on a greater understanding of the holy writ reserved for those with intellectual bandwidth to think on a deeper level?
I believe Scripture was written by simple people for simple people. There were a few heady standouts like Paul and Apollos, but for the most part Scripture was written by and for the average Joe and Jane Wineskin.
Truth can be discovered by simple (even simplistic) people, simply by read Scripture. This was God’s intention in sending Jesus in the flesh, gathering a band of misfits blue color workers and recording his revelation in the common language of the day.
Truth is accessible….
Jesus is accessible
God is accessible…
Forgiveness is accessible…to all.
This class should be interesting.
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