The Starting Point for Every Passage: God’s Character
Many faithful readers of Scripture have learned the importance of tools like grammar, historical context, and literary structure. We affirm these fully. At SNC, we employ a literal-historical-grammatical hermeneutic, which respects the original meaning of the text as intended by the human authors and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
But even this sound approach must begin with a more foundational question:
What kind of God is speaking?
Before we examine what a passage says or how it fits into redemptive history, we must first acknowledge that Scripture is God’s self-revelation. Every verse reveals not only truth, but the character of the One who speaks that truth.
Why God’s Attributes Matter in Interpretation
Because God is the Author of Scripture:
His nature determines the meaning of His words.
His character anchors the consistency of His revelation.
His purposes shape the flow of redemptive history.
Reading the Bible apart from the attributes of God risks misunderstanding His intentions and misrepresenting His actions. The God of Scripture is not a passive narrator—He is the holy, sovereign, and good Creator revealing Himself through every word.
Consider how misinterpretation often arises:
Reading judgment texts apart from God’s justice may make Him seem cruel.
Reading mercy texts without His holiness may lead to cheap grace.
Reading promises without His immutability can stir doubt or confusion.
In every case, the remedy is not better speculation—it’s a clearer view of who God is.
A Consistent God Produces a Coherent Word
The Bible is not a random compilation of sayings. It is the unfolding of God’s eternal plan, and it reflects His unchanging nature. That means Scripture will never contradict itself, because God cannot contradict Himself.
“For I the Lord do not change.” — Malachi 3:6
When we encounter difficult or unclear passages, we interpret them in light of what God has made abundantly clear about Himself. His justice, mercy, patience, power, faithfulness, and love are not merely theological truths to affirm—they are interpretive anchors that help us understand what He is saying and why He is saying it.
Theological Integrity Safeguards Exegetical Faithfulness
This approach is not a shortcut around exegesis—it is a safeguard for it.
If our interpretation makes God seem petty, inconsistent, or unjust, we must ask whether we’ve truly understood the passage—or merely reflected our own assumptions.
If a theological system leads us to conclusions that distort God’s revealed character, the system must be reexamined.
If our application of Scripture separates truth from love, grace from holiness, or righteousness from compassion, we have lost sight of the God who holds all these perfectly together.
Interpretation that forgets the character of God will eventually drift. But interpretation that begins with who God is will consistently lead to what Scripture was always meant to produce: worship.
The Word Leads to Worship—If We Read It Right
At SNC, we believe that reading the Bible should never be a purely academic pursuit. It should be an act of reverence. When we interpret rightly, we don’t just understand the Bible better—we worship the God who wrote it more deeply.
So the next time you open your Bible, don’t just ask,
“What does this say?”
Ask also,
“What does this reveal about God—and how should I respond to Him?”
That’s where interpretation truly begins.