II PETER 3:16-17

Although we sometimes focus on errors of biblical interpretation coming from the outside, it is even more important to deal with problems that come from within – those which probably all of us have been guilty of at one time or another. I hope none of you will be offended if I appear to be a little harsh in my treatment of some of these errors in my future posts, but I will try to give them all the consideration they deserve.

How can we identify errors in Bible interpretation? It is said that the best way to recognize a counterfeit bill is to become well acquainted with the real thing. That is why I have taught classes in the past on the generally accepted principles of proper Bible interpretation. However, the second best way is to get exposure to a variety of examples where Scripture is being misused so that you know what to look out for.

As an introduction, I would like to look first at these familiar words of Peter:

“There are some things in them [Paul's letters] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability.” 2 Peter 3:16b-17

There are several lessons we can derive out of this passage:

1. It is reassuring to know that even Peter had trouble understanding all of Paul's writings.

2. This is the first indication we have that the NT writings were starting to be considered as Scripture on an equal footing with the OT.

3. Note that Peter identifies at least two classes of people who tend to misuse the Bible: (1) the ignorant, who don't know any better and (2) the spiritually unstable and lawless, who should know better. So if I pick on any one person or group for their misuse of Scripture, please remember that I am not saying that I therefore think they are heretics or that their actions are necessarily done on purpose, just that they happen to be mistaken.

4. But, finally, even the most innocent twisting of Scripture can possibly have grave consequences for those who do it and for those who listen to them and believe it. Therefore, error needs to be identified as such to avoid those consequences.

Here are two proverbs that seem to address the situation. “Answer not a fool according to his folly lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Even though Jesus tells us not to label people as fools, we can certainly call them out when they make foolish statements, and that is what the second proverb teaches. The tightrope to walk, however, is to do it without lowering ourselves to their level, as the first proverb indicates. And that is what I must admit that I often have trouble doing, as you may already observed in reading my posts. Mark Twain said something similar: “Never argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” But you don't have to argue with them in order to gently point out their error.