Discerning Biblical Principles and Customs for Today

 

Summary

In our final session on interpreting the Bible, we delve into the complex issue of discerning what elements from the New and Old Testaments apply to our lives today and what are merely customs of the past. This discussion is crucial for understanding how to live out our faith in a way that honors God while being relevant to our current cultural context. We began by examining the distinction between principle and custom, using the example of women wearing head coverings in church, as instructed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. This practice, once widespread, has largely fallen out of use, prompting us to question what is principial and what is customary.

To navigate this, we explored four approaches to interpreting such texts: viewing them entirely as custom, entirely as principle, or a combination of both. The first approach dismisses the practice as a mere custom with no relevance today. The second sees it as a binding principle for all times. The third and fourth approaches find a middle ground, recognizing some elements as principial and others as customary, allowing for cultural adaptation.

We then outlined four guidelines to help discern between principle and custom. First, examine the Bible itself for areas open to custom, such as language and dress styles, which have changed over time. Second, consider Christian distinctions in the first century, understanding that some practices were specific to that cultural context. Third, be aware of creation principles, as these transcend cultural boundaries and are meant for all humanity. Finally, when in doubt, err on the side of treating a passage as a principle rather than a custom, embodying a posture of humility and obedience to God.

This approach encourages us to engage deeply with Scripture, seeking to understand its timeless truths while being mindful of cultural shifts. By doing so, we honor God and His Word, striving to live faithfully in our contemporary world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Principle vs. Custom: Understanding the difference between principle and custom is essential for applying biblical teachings to our lives today. Principles are timeless truths that transcend culture, while customs are practices specific to a particular time and place. This distinction helps us discern how to live out our faith authentically. [03:54]

2. Cultural Context: Recognizing the cultural context of biblical texts is crucial. Some practices, like head coverings, were culturally significant in the first century but may not hold the same meaning today. Understanding the historical background can illuminate the text's original intent and guide its application in our lives. [19:35]

3. Creation Principles: Principles rooted in creation, such as authority and subordination, are meant for all humanity and transcend cultural boundaries. These principles provide a foundation for understanding God's design and purpose for our lives, guiding us in living according to His will. [24:23]

4. Humility in Interpretation: When uncertain whether a passage is a principle or a custom, humility calls us to err on the side of obedience. It is better to be overly scrupulous than to risk disobedience. This attitude of humility honors God and reflects a heart committed to following His Word. [26:51]

5. Continual Study: Engaging deeply with Scripture and its principles of interpretation is a lifelong journey. As we grow in our understanding, we become more confident and responsible in handling God's Word, equipping us for every good work and deepening our relationship with Him. [28:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Introduction to Principle vs. Custom
- [01:11] - Observations on Head Coverings
- [02:11] - Historical Context of Head Coverings
- [03:19] - Exploring 1 Corinthians 11
- [04:33] - Four Interpretative Approaches
- [06:17] - All Custom vs. All Principle
- [07:40] - Partly Principle Approaches
- [09:43] - Determining Correct Interpretation
- [11:38] - Examining the Bible for Custom
- [13:20] - Language and Dress as Custom
- [15:36] - Modesty Across Cultures
- [17:26] - Christian Distinctions in the First Century
- [20:17] - Cultural Backgrounds and Interpretation
- [23:09] - Creation Principles
- [25:28] - Principle of Humility
- [28:02] - Encouragement for Continued Study

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
2. Genesis 1:26-28
3. Romans 14:23

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific practice does Paul address in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding women in the church, and what is its significance? [02:11]

2. How does the sermon describe the change in cultural practices regarding head coverings from the past to the present? [01:11]

3. What are the four approaches mentioned in the sermon for interpreting the text of 1 Corinthians 11? [04:33]

4. According to the sermon, what are some examples of customs in the Bible that have changed over time? [11:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest we discern between principles and customs in biblical texts, and why is this distinction important for contemporary believers? [03:54]

2. In what ways does understanding the cultural context of the first century help us interpret passages like 1 Corinthians 11? [19:35]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of creation principles, and why are they considered transcultural? [24:23]

4. What role does humility play in interpreting Scripture, especially when there is uncertainty about whether a passage is a principle or a custom? [26:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a biblical teaching that seemed outdated. How did you determine whether it was a principle or a custom? How might the guidelines from the sermon help you in the future? [11:38]

2. Consider the cultural practices in your church or community. Are there any that you think might be more custom than principle? How can you approach these practices with both respect and discernment? [19:35]

3. How can you apply the creation principles discussed in the sermon to your daily life, particularly in areas of authority and relationships? [24:23]

4. When faced with uncertainty in interpreting Scripture, how can you cultivate an attitude of humility and obedience? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not dismissing important principles? [26:51]

5. Think about a specific area in your life where you might be overly scrupulous or too loose in applying biblical teachings. How can you find a balance that honors God and His Word? [26:04]

6. How can you engage more deeply with Scripture to better understand its timeless truths and cultural contexts? What resources or practices might help you in this journey? [28:02]

7. Identify a biblical principle that you find challenging to apply in today's cultural context. What steps can you take to live out this principle authentically and faithfully? [03:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Distinguishing Timeless Truths from Cultural Practices
Understanding the difference between principle and custom is essential for applying biblical teachings to our lives today. Principles are timeless truths that transcend culture, while customs are practices specific to a particular time and place. This distinction helps us discern how to live out our faith authentically. By recognizing what is principial and what is customary, we can better align our lives with God's will, ensuring that our faith remains relevant and meaningful in our contemporary context. [03:54]

1 Corinthians 11:13-16 (ESV): "Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God."

Reflection: Consider a tradition or practice in your life that you follow without question. How can you discern whether it is a principle or a custom, and what steps can you take to align it with biblical truths?


Day 2: Embracing the Historical Context of Scripture
Recognizing the cultural context of biblical texts is crucial. Some practices, like head coverings, were culturally significant in the first century but may not hold the same meaning today. Understanding the historical background can illuminate the text's original intent and guide its application in our lives. By studying the cultural and historical settings of Scripture, we gain a deeper appreciation for its teachings and can apply them more accurately to our modern lives. [19:35]

Acts 17:22-23 (ESV): "So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: "To the unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.'"

Reflection: Identify a biblical passage that you find challenging to understand. How can researching its historical and cultural context help you grasp its meaning and apply it to your life today?


Day 3: Living by Creation Principles
Principles rooted in creation, such as authority and subordination, are meant for all humanity and transcend cultural boundaries. These principles provide a foundation for understanding God's design and purpose for our lives, guiding us in living according to His will. By embracing these creation principles, we align ourselves with God's eternal truths and find direction for our lives in a constantly changing world. [24:23]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to understand God's design. How can embracing creation principles help you find clarity and purpose in this area?


Day 4: Cultivating Humility in Interpretation
When uncertain whether a passage is a principle or a custom, humility calls us to err on the side of obedience. It is better to be overly scrupulous than to risk disobedience. This attitude of humility honors God and reflects a heart committed to following His Word. By approaching Scripture with humility, we open ourselves to God's guidance and allow His Spirit to lead us in truth. [26:51]

James 4:6-7 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Reflection: Think of a time when you were unsure about a biblical teaching. How can you practice humility in your interpretation and seek God's guidance in understanding His Word?


Day 5: Committing to Continual Study of Scripture
Engaging deeply with Scripture and its principles of interpretation is a lifelong journey. As we grow in our understanding, we become more confident and responsible in handling God's Word, equipping us for every good work and deepening our relationship with Him. By committing to continual study, we ensure that our faith remains vibrant and that we are prepared to face the challenges of life with wisdom and grace. [28:02]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: What is one specific area of Scripture you feel called to study more deeply? How can you create a plan to engage with this area regularly and grow in your understanding of God's Word?

Quotes


In this our last session together in this course on interpreting the Bible, we're going to finish by offering some concrete suggestions on how to handle this difficult problem of knowing what from the New Testament and the Old Testament applies to our lives today and what would be simply a matter of custom. [00:00:09]

The first way is to say the whole thing is a matter of custom; from beginning to end, it's pure custom. It has no relevance whatsoever to the life of the church today and that is that these elements would all be regarded as customary, that the covering of the head with a veil is a matter of custom. [00:04:18]

The second option is that we regard the whole thing as principial, that everything about this text is of trans-cultural significance and that all Christian women everywhere at all times in all places ought always to practice the subordination of themselves to their husbands, and that all women everywhere in every local situation are required to symbolize their subordination to men by the covering of their head. [00:06:24]

The second partly-partly option is that we say the two parts of this are principial and one part is custom. The two parts that are principial would be this: that it is always binding on women to be submissive to their husbands and to be subordinate in the church, and it is always binding in every culture to illustrate and symbolize that willingness to submit by covering the head. [00:08:49]

The first guideline is this: that we ought to examine the Bible itself and to see within Scripture if there are certain particular areas that apparently are open to the application of custom, because we recognize that the Bible itself was not just written in the first century, but the whole process of writing the Bible stretched almost as long from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament as it has from the end of the New Testament to our present day. [00:11:03]

The principle that runs through the Old and the New Testament in terms of godly dress habits is the principle of modesty. But I even have to say this: that modesty changes from culture to culture, and we have to understand that because clothes symbolize attitudes, they symbolize values, and all the rest. [00:14:34]

The third principle for guidelines is be aware of creation principles. As I said, if anything crosses the line from community to community, it's those rules that are set down in creation because those are given to man not as first century Christian or as fifth century B.C. Jew or as seventeenth century Dutchman or twentieth century American, but those principles are set down and given to man as man. [00:24:17]

Now the final principle is, in my opinion, the most important principle of all. What if, after studying the Bible diligently and arduously and trying to see what kinds of things are possibly customary and what aren't, and after examining the historical background, and after looking at the creation principles, you still can't be sure whether it's principle or custom, and you say, "I just don't know whether this applies to today or not," you're left with that quandary, is there any way you can cut the Gordian knot? [00:25:03]

The Bible tells us that whatever is not of faith is sin. The principle here is sort of a benefit-of-the-doubt type principle. You're left with a choice; you don't know whether a particular rule or particular passage is custom or principle. Think about it. If you treat a passage that God intended to be binding on you forever and treat it as a mere local custom and dismiss it, as I said earlier, you are guilty of disobeying God and doing violence to His holy law because you have reduced a principle to a mere custom. [00:25:37]

I call this the principle of humility. It's summarized in this way: when in doubt, don't. Humility requires that we bow before God, and what we are saying is that if it's still in question whether it's principle or custom, the burden of proof must always be on those who argue that it's a mere custom, and unless there is good and sound reason for treating a biblical mandate as a custom, then we ought always to treat it and apply it as principle. [00:27:14]

I beseech you to continue to study more deeply on principles of interpretation so that you can grow and mature and become more and more responsible, more and more confident in your handling of the book of Scriptures, which I believe is the word of God written from the perspective of transcendent wisdom for your edification that you may be equipped and furnished for every good work, which is pleasing to your God. [00:28:02]

The second guideline is to allow for Christian distinctions in the first century. Well what do we mean by that? I don't know how many commentaries on Paul's letters to the 1 Corinthians I've consulted in my lifetime, but there are many, many; scores. I can't think offhand of a single commentary that didn't at one point or another bring into the picture of interpreting 1 Corinthians 11 the fact that in the first century, the mark of the prostitute in the pagan town such as Corinth was the sign -- the outward sign of the prostitute was not a red light over a building or spike heels or some other distinguishing trademark that would communicate to the passerby that this was a woman of the street who was for hire, but the sign of the prostitutes in Corinth was the uncovered head. [00:17:38]

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Transcript
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