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Principles

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things."

— 2 Peter 1:20 —

Principles 1

The Bible

All five of these principles should be applied together as we read, study, or meditate on the Bible.

The General Idea

Don’t interpret before finishing the whole book

It’s easy—but mistaken—to read the Bible and assume that everything a biblical author said to their original audience directly applies to you today. Reading through an entire book helps us answer a key question “What is the general idea the author is trying to convey?” This is considered the highest aim when reading Scripture. There is no shortcut to understanding the meaning of a passage without reading the whole book. The Bible was written to be read that way. Instead of reading a random verse, read an entire book in the Bible. After reading it once—or even a few times—you’ll begin to grasp the context. And from that context, the meaning will eventually become clearer.

Loyal To The Text

Do not take verses out of context

This is the principle of context, which ensures that we listen to what the Bible is actually saying rather than trying to make it say what we want. This principle helps readers understand and apply God's Word accurately and fully within the context the author originally intended. Isolating Bible verses strips them of their intended meaning and breaks the flow of the overall message. Worse, it can lead to dangerous misapplications in a believer's life.

Literary Genre

Differentiate the literary genres

Approach different parts of the Bible according to their literary genre. Some common genres in the Bible include narrative, poetry, epistle, parable, prophecy... Each genre has its own rules of interpretation. The more you read the Bible, the more you’ll begin to see that different books are meant to be read differently. Therefore, when reading the Bible, first identify the literary genre of the book. Distinguishing between these genres is crucial to understanding and applying God's Word correctly.

 

Consistent Truth

The Bible does not contradict itself

This principle affirms that the core message and doctrines presented throughout Scripture are completely consistent. The Bible does not contradict or confuse itself, for all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16). However, it’s important to note that the Bible was written by many different authors across a long span of time, with varying writing styles and historical contexts. This may result in apparent surface-level differences, but not actual contradictions.

Biblical System

Interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament

This is an important principle that helps us understand the strong connection between the Old and New Testaments. Some parts of the Old Testament are symbolic, some are prophetic and fulfilled in the New Testament, and others highlight the need for salvation—which the New Testament clarifies. The New Testament should be prioritized in interpretation because the Bible is a progressive revelation. All of God’s revelations are harmonious, but must be understood in their unfolding progress. The Old Testament must be interpreted through the lens of the New Testament, where the light of revelation has been completed.

Principles 2

Genres

When we understand the structure and genre of the text we are studying, we gain a clearer comprehension of the language and other literary elements employed by the author, shaping our interpretation of the passage.

Old Testament

The Law

There are 613 commandments in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. The Law serves as a "guardian" to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), revealing humanity’s sinful nature. However:

  • Chúa Jesus Christ đã làm trọn luật pháp, do đó, chúng ta không còn bị luật pháp ràng buộc để được xưng công bình trước mặt Đức Chúa Trời.
  • When studying the Law, we should seek the spiritual principles that reveal God's character and the significance of redemption in Christ.
  • It is important to examine whether a law is reiterated in the New Testament to determine its applicability in the Church Age.
History

The historical books of the Bible do not merely record events; rather, God uses them to convey theological truths. Therefore:

  • Not all recorded events serve as examples to follow.
  • It is essential to distinguish between actions approved by God and human sinful behavior.
  • One may ask: "What is the theological significance of this story?" or "What does God intend to teach through this event?"
  • The interpretation of a story should not be overly detailed to the extent that the main message of the passage is obscured.
Poetry

The poetic books in the Bible include Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Job, Ecclesiastes, and portions of the prophetic books. Characteristics of biblical poetry include:

  • Frequent use of parallelism (where the second line echoes the meaning of the first).
  • Many symbolic and hyperbolic images that should be understood figuratively.
  • The genres of Psalms include:
    • Lament Psalms – Prayers for deliverance.
    • Thanksgiving Psalms – Expressions of gratitude for God's deliverance.
    • Praise Psalms – Calls to worship and glorify God.
    • Wisdom Psalms – Teachings on God's wisdom.
    • Messianic Psalms – Prophecies concerning Christ.
    • Imprecatory Psalms – Appeals for divine justice.
Proverbs

Proverbs present principles of wise living but are not absolute promises, For example:

  • "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6) is not a guarantee that every child will follow God’s ways but rather a general principle.
  • The Proverbs should be understood within the overall context of the book, especially the introductory section (Proverbs 1–9).
  • Proverbs should be read thematically to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Prophecy

Old Testament prophets were God's spokesmen, declaring judgment, calling for repentance, and foretelling future events. When interpreting prophecy:

  • The historical context should be considered to understand who received the message, at what time, and under what circumstances.
  • Many prophecies are symbolic and poetic in nature and should not be interpreted in a rigidly literal manner.
  • Some prophecies may have a dual fulfillment—being fulfilled both in history and in Christ.
Old Testament Overview

New Testament

Gospel

Phúc Âm là những chứng ngôn được viết lại về đời sống, sự giảng dạy, và công tác cứu chuộc của Chúa Jesus Christ. Các sách này được chép với mục đích để độc giả tin nhận Ngài là Đấng Cứu Thế. Chúa Jesus chủ yếu giảng dạy qua các ẩn dụ, và việc giải nghĩa chúng cần tuân theo một số nguyên tắc quan trọng:

  • Nếu Chúa Jesus trực tiếp giải thích một ẩn dụ, thì đó chính là ý nghĩa của nó; chúng ta không nên thêm thắt hoặc suy diễn quá mức.
  • - Consider the context of the parable within the passage to grasp the message Christ intended to convey.
  • - Avoid assigning meaning to every minor detail, as most parables emphasize a central theme.
  • Khi áp dụng, hãy đặt câu hỏi: “Điều này dạy tôi điều gì về Chúa Jesus?” hoặc “Điều này dạy tôi điều gì về đời sống môn đồ?”.
History of The Church

The Book of Acts is a historical account of the early Church and missionary work. It serves as an encouragement for believers to live out their faith faithfully and engage in the Great Commission. The book also provides context for the New Testament epistles. When studying it, we must distinguish between description and prescription:

  • Some events are recorded merely as historical accounts and are not necessarily commands for all believers to follow.
  • When evaluating an action in the book, consider whether it serves as a good model to follow.
  • Examine whether other biblical commands or teachings affirm it as a model worthy of imitation.
  • Though the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were still human and could make mistakes. We should only follow them insofar as they followed Christ.
The Epistles

The Epistles are letters written by the apostles to churches, individuals, and Christian communities to address practical issues in the life of believers. Therefore, reading the epistles is like listening to a conversation where we only hear one side. When interpreting them, we must follow these principles:

  • Read the entire letter to understand the flow of thought and the author's intent.
  • Analyze each passage within the overall context to avoid misinterpretation.
  • Before applying it personally, ask: "What did this mean to the original audience?" This helps prevent misinterpreting Scripture through a subjective lens.
Prophecy

The Book of Revelation has various interpretations, but what is certain is:

  • A spiritual battle is ongoing.
  • Wickedness will persist until the end times.
  • Chúa Jesus Christ đã chiến thắng trên thập tự giá và sẽ tái lâm để hoàn tất chương trình của Đức Chúa Trời.
  • He will judge the world and establish the New Heaven and New Earth.

Khi nghiên cứu sách Khải Huyền, cần khiêm nhường trong việc giải nghĩa và tránh suy đoán về ngày giờ Chúa tái lâm. Mục đích chính của sách là khích lệ Hội Thánh đứng vững trong đức tin và chuẩn bị cho sự tái lâm của Chúa Jesus Christ.

tổng quan Tân ước

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.“

– 2 Peter 1:21 –