One more principle

[Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke]

1. Law and Gospel
2. What shows forth Christ
3. The plain meaning of the text
4. Scripture interprets Scripture

These are basic Bible interpretation principles from a historic, Lutheran, perspective. Lutheran Christians have been reading the Bible in this way for almost 500 years. These aren't the only principles one can apply to interpretation, though. Some Christians define themselves as "literalists," "fundamentalists" or "Evangelicals." Often they articulate other principles of Biblical interpretation.

Lutheran principles derive from a re-engagement with the Bible by the community as a whole. In Martin Luther's day the Bible wasn't available in the common language of the people (most of whom couldn't read anyway.) More than that the Church hierarchy claimed the authority to interpret the Bible, the final authority being the Pope. In all fairness the Pope rarely dictated basic interpretations, but there was a tendency for common people to be told what to think.

So, there is a fifth fundamental Lutheran interpretive principle. Public interpretation!

No one person gets to call all the shots. How Lutherans understand the Bible is funneled through the teachings of basic historic creeds. We also articulate certain foundational understandings. However, when we sit down to look at more difficult topics which are not fundamental to salvation - like human sexuality - no one gets to blow the whistle and say "Okay, here's the final word."

The Bible belongs to the Church and the Church is people - people Lutherans call the "priesthood of all believers." The good news is nobody gets to boss you around. Lutherans come out of a particular time in the Christian history when power rested in the hands of a very few. We don't like that. So, we interpret as a community. Everybody gets a voice and often times we don't agree.

As the ELCA made decisions around sexuality issues at our 2009 Churchwide Assembly the Bible was definitely central to our conversation. We discovered what we already knew. We don't all read the same passages in the same ways. We love the Lord, though. We love the Lord and we love our neighbor.

Biblical interpretation is not a matter of majority vote. But decisions we make in times of disagreements may be. The Bible can take care of itself. The Law and Gospel continue to speak. Christ continues to Shine forth. The hungry are fed and those with no hope have Good News preached to them.

Meanwhile we keep talking to each other about all the rest.

Bishop Dave

[Scott Tunseth]

Bishop Dave:
I have appreciated your posts on the "Lutheran Principles." Thanks!