The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-09-29
CORRESPONDENCE.
CnRIsrIAN EVIDENCES.
Article neutrality-suspicious..

Interpretation is an act 1t is the act Of teaching
what is the meaning Of another's language; or that
skill which enables TO attach to anothers Ian
guage the same meaning that the author himself at
taehed to it. Any other meaning than this can new
er be called with propriety, the meaning Of the a-
thor The Interpretation Of the books OF the Bible Is
high and difficult task. II has been truly said, that
all solid knowledge and judieious defense Of divine
truth must originate from right understanding and
accurate Interpretation of the Scriptures The purity
of the Christian religion has shone brighter or been
obscured in proportion the stndy Of sacred inter
probation has hourished or decsyed.
Christian doctrine presented only in written rec
ords; hence the Interpretation Of these records IL
absolutely essential knowledge of il. There are
many difficulties in the way Of successful interpreta
ton 1t requires learning judgment, and diiseneei
and, frequently more than usual degree Of under
standing is required 10 manage exegetica inquiry
with success. The Bible presents more than usual
difficulties the interpreter such the antiquity
of its books the peculiar dialect IT, manners, Gus
toms, education and style, modes of thinking and
expression, situation, government, climate, Of the
authors which in so many respects dissimilar to
ours. Interpretation may be called grammatical,
when the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences
is made out by the usage and the context. 1t Is
called historical when the meaning is illustrated and
confirmed BY historical arguments which serve to
show in a clear manner, that other sense can be
put upon the passage whether the nature of the sub
ject is regarded, the genius, manner and eircun-
| stances of the writer.
First. He must have right perception Of the
meaning of the words
Second, He must be able to explain them properly
| Hence the interpreter must demand satisfactory
for believing in any particular explanation,
| and build his opinion respecting the sense Of any
| passages such reasons These reasons nust be
based on the usage, the context the nature Of the
subject the design of the writer In order to inter
terpret the sacred writings properly, there are de-
| sirable helps:
lst No one will be likely to get the true meaning
of the Scriptures unless he approaches their study
with the right aim and a truthloving spirit; such
| a spirit as David had, when he said, II will hear
what God, the Lord. will speak; and, with my
| whole heart have sought thee; order my steps in
| thy word, and let not any inquity have dominion
over me-
ID. He must have general and special knowledge
of the word Of God its object, arrangement, and
contents and of the world and things that in it.
This knowledge is gained by reading, observation.
and study II is good thing to be acquainted with
the original language in which the Bible was writ
ten; to be thoroughly conversant with sacred geog
raphy with Bible history manners and customs with
| the natural history OF inc pioao' anu WIN N"iNN
history.
1t shonld not be forgotten tna' the scriptures arc
to he interpreted by the same rule rs other books
While we should approach their study with the sin
cere and truthloving spirit of honest heart yet
it nothing short of fanatcsm to despise literature
and general study OF language and refer everything
merely to the influence OF the spirit
Ii is well stated IN the following worus: -
Scriptures be revelation to men, then are heyt 10
be read and understood by men. III the SANE laws
OF language are not observed IN 'his reNeoh Us arc
common to men. then they have no guide 10 tho
right understanding OF the scriptures; anu an inter
prefer needs inspiration as much as the original
writer. IL follows, OF course. nat the scriptures
would be no revelation IN tnenseNes nor OF any use
except to those WHO are inspired. But such book
the Scriptures Is not; and nothing Is more evident
than that when God has spoken to men, he has spo-
ken in language Ct mentor he has spoken oy men,
and for men," II every man has the right, and Is
bound to read the Scriptures, and to judge Tor him
self what hey teach ne must nave eer'h ruieS 70
guide him in the exercise oil TIN. privilege ana duty
These rules are not arbitrary Ihey arc not imposed
by human authority and they have no binding iorc'
which does not How from their own intrinsic ru''
and propriety They are lew anu SIMPLE
+ lst The words oil scripture are 70 DC 'aAen -, u
: their plain and most obvious HISTORICAL sense lnA
is, they must be taken in the sense attached 10 tne
in the age, and by the people to whom they were ~
4 dressed This only assumes that the raoreu hn'ei
= were honest, and meant to be understood An Oh
il writer says; The Scripture can not DC undersloO'
d AeologieaLy, until 1t is understood grd""dnouy'
r Hence the nrst thing $50 get 'ne 'rue
n and historical meaning Of words
ID If any passage oil scripture rs OBSCURE or douo
full, explain it by what Is plain and clear Ihs rni
is not appropriate to the scriptures only huop