Linguistic Heresy in the Interpretation of the Bible (Edited by ChatGPT)

 

Let us assume you have no guide to lead you from point A to point B, and you must cross an unexplored jungle alone. In such a case, you must be systematic and cautious to avoid getting lost. You would consult maps, read the accounts of those who came before you, and set intermediate targets to track your progress. When wisdom is not coming from above but must be constructed from below, it is vital to have independent checks and balances — tools that help prevent self-deception. A fool cuts ten times, but the wise measures ten times before cutting once.

 

But when the residents of the jungle themselves are guiding you, your task is not to measure or calculate. You simply need faith to trust them and endurance to follow. When wisdom is from above rather than below, it is not a system to be figured out but a truth to be received. You do not measure ten times to cut once — you measure once and cut rightly, because God is in charge. This is the gift God gave to the disciples of the Lord.

 

It is always crucial to be taught by the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of God who authored the Bible and knows how to interpret it accurately. This is not the realm of systematic theology, but of divine truth. Jesus did not teach His disciples theology at the feet of Gamaliel; He taught them truth. Those who are educated by God come to know God. Those who rely solely on systematic studies of the Scriptures often lose their way. Many of these were the ones who rejected Jesus, persecuted His disciples, and continue to deny that God is truly revealed in the person of Christ.

 

Nowhere does the Bible say that knowledge of systematic theology leads to knowing God. It tells us that the truth of the Bible is revealed by the Holy Spirit — because the Bible was written by Him, and He alone knows the heart of God. What we need is true knowledge of the Bible, not the cautious, human method of "measuring ten times to cut once." If you are merely a theologian, then of course your only option is to rely on your measuring tools. I can respect your effort and diligence in studying Scripture, even if you are not led by the Holy Spirit. But why should systematic theology be treated as the standard of truth? Why should a theological degree be treated as the measure of biblical knowledge?

 

Theological education and systematic theology may be helpful, but they are neither necessary nor sufficient for truly knowing the Bible. What is both necessary and sufficient is to be taught by God. The measure of biblical knowledge is not the sophistication of one's systematic arguments but the truthfulness of one’s understanding. Faithful believers and faith leaders need knowledge of the Bible — not a theological degree. Some may benefit from such degrees in the process, but to treat theological education as a requirement for faith or ministry is chasing the wind. In fact, degrees often give a sense of knowledge to those who still lack true understanding.

 

Although I myself do not rely on systematic theology because I am guided by the Spirit, I do think English people should understand their language more deeply — systematic thinkers should better understand the limitations of their systems. One of the great dangers I see today is linguistic acrobatics being used to misinterpret Scripture. If this continues unchecked, it will produce a theology rooted not in Spirit but in flesh and blood — as we are already seeing.

 

Earthly languages were not built to serve God. They are the products of social evolution — shaped by cultural, political, and economic histories. Studying the etymology and structure of words can offer insight into the cultural meaning of terms, but such study reveals more about the people who formed the language than about the truths of God.

 

If, for example, a word (X) means several things (Y, Z, W, V, R) in its original culture, that does not mean their speakers — or especially foreigners — intend all those meanings when they use it. Most likely, unless they are poets or linguists, they are using its most common, surface meaning. This is why it is better to interpret words in context than to build theology on derivations. Otherwise, we risk importing the religions of pagan cultures into Christian theology. This is how some have used linguistic garbage to reinterpret the Bible in anti-Christ ways.

 

Even Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people, reflects their social evolution — not necessarily the nature of God. As a result, Jewish cultural biases often find their way into biblical interpretation. I recently read a book by the "Jesus Project," and it was evident that their approach was deeply influenced by Jewish social assumptions. Their method — treating Jewish social evolution as a scientific lens for understanding Scripture — naturally led them to reject Jesus as a false prophet. Their conclusion is flawed, but it follows directly from their method. This is why we must carefully consider the foundations of our interpretive methods.

 

Systematic theology, including linguistic tools, has its place. But the first step in any systematic approach must be to define and evaluate its metaphysical foundation — where it works, how it works, and where it fails. Instead of boasting about theological degrees and credentials, one should spend time building a solid foundation for biblical understanding. It is far better to build on the rock than on sand.

 

Some of us are not burdened with the blindness that comes from relying on human systems. We know the truth because God teaches us directly through the Scriptures. As we continue to read, the truth becomes clearer and clearer — not by our strength, but by the light of heaven within us. People have been reading the Bible for generations, but how far have they truly gone in understanding its spiritual depth?

 

If you lack that divine guidance — if the light of heaven is not in your spirit — then it is wise to examine the foundation and metaphysical assumptions behind the educational systems you rely on. After all, these systems have not consistently produced the fruit of heaven. In fact, every form of theological abomination today has some academic or doctrinal justification. Meanwhile, the arrogance of the theologically educated is often matched only by their ignorance of the Scriptures.

 

As Paul said, "If anyone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know." May God give you the privilege of being taught by Him — to know His Word in truth. Amen.