Taking The Whole of Scripture

by Tom Wacaster

“Hermeneutics” is the science of interpretation. The word is derived from the Greek mythological character, “Hermes,” the messenger of the ‘gods’ and the interpreter of Jupiter. Through the years there have been a number of Bible scholars who have taken the time and effort to set forth, in writing, a systematic approach to the study and interpretation of the scriptures.  The most notable works are D.R. Dungan’s Hermeneutics, and Clinton Lockhart’s Principles of Interpretation. Both of these books are still in print, and I recommend them for your consideration. Also, brother Terry Hightower has edited and published an excellent two volume set of lectures entitled, Rightly Dividing the Word, in which the various speakers deal with the principals involved in proper hermeneutical approach to the scriptures. If men would put aside their bias and human opinions, and make an honest effort to study and apply some of the fundamental principles of interpretation, much of the division could be resolved. Unfortunately, false teaching will always exist, and error will continue to take its toll upon the religious world. Peter has warned us, “But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Jesus warned us to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Such errorists will always exist. Hence the ever increasing need to not only study, but to “handle aright” the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The American Standard Version of 1901 has this interesting foot note on this passage.  It reads, “holding a straight course in the word of truth.”

The Psalmist wrote, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them” (Psalms 139:18). A fundamental principle involved in the interpretation of the Scriptures is the need to take the whole of God’s word into consideration in our search for truth. It is the “sum” of God’s word which must be obeyed, not just a portion thereof. Call it what you will, whether a “balance” of scripture, or as Paul put it, the “whole council of God” (Acts 20:27), the end result is that we cannot pick and choose from scripture as we would food from a cafeteria line. A couple of illustrations might help us here. Look at Philippians 2:12, where it is recorded, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  A great number of my brethren have labored over this passage and have suffered frustration in their efforts to live up to God’s expectations in their attempt to “work out” their salvation. But look at the very next verse in this passage. “For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” Again, Paul warned us, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). The danger of apostasy is real. Pride could easily get even the best of us. But look at the next verse in that passage: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it” (verse 13).  Though we must make the effort to escape sin, we are assured that God will provide the way. Too often we simply fail to look for, and then take, the route of escape to safety.

God’s plan for man’s salvation is not to be found in any single passage of Scripture, but rather the “sum” of all of those passages which address the matter of man’s obligation to the Almighty. To take any single passage to the neglect of others will certainly spell doom for the sincere but misled soul. The late William Cline once wrote, “The Bible does not lend itself to false doctrine for it is balanced in its content, complete in its message, and perfect in every way.”  I could not have said it any better.

While in India I would encourage the preachers with whom we work to put aside a sufficient amount of time to study the word of God. Study goes beyond the simple reading of a passage from time to time. It even goes beyond the completion of some annual Bible Reading Schedule. Study is hard work; but it is necessary work if we are to take the “whole” of Scripture and benefit thereby. Think about it.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

286 Responses to Taking The Whole of Scripture

  1. connectwiththeworldnow – The tone feels active, I’m drawn to explore more of their content.

  2. Lauryn Bacca says:

    ascendgrid – Waiting for it to load properly; optimistic about what I’ll find.

  3. Archie Blesh says:

    truelaunch – Nice visuals and structure, makes scrolling through pleasant.

  4. Ocie Tohill says:

    brandvision – Found some fresh concepts I’d never thought of before.

  5. valuevision – Images are crisp, design feels current and sleek.

  6. growthverse – The content is engaging, and the site is responsive.

  7. Ahmad Paguin says:

    skyportal – Found exactly what I needed, very straightforward and simple.

  8. Hayden Avina says:

    trendforge – Curious whether it’ll focus on tech, marketing, or something else.

  9. smartgrid – Very little visible now; probably under construction.

  10. quantumreach – Navigation is smooth, I didn’t struggle to find content.

  11. boldimpact – Clean branding, simple but memorable name.

  12. alphaunity – Found useful info, definitely bookmarking this for later reference.

  13. bluetrail – Smooth navigation, I didn’t feel lost exploring the pages.

  14. sharpbridge – Loading speed seems fine, no long waits yet.

  15. solidvision – Once site’s live, content could make it shine.

  16. Quinn Ketay says:

    elitegrowth – A pleasure to browse, everything is well-organized and clear.

  17. cloudmatrix – Found exactly what I was looking for, very intuitive.

  18. goldbridge – Content seems sparse in spots, more depth would help.

  19. fastgrowth – Great user experience, everything loads so smoothly and fast.

  20. maxvision – Found exactly what I was looking for, very intuitive.

  21. Ben Warnecke says:

    nextrend – Navigation is smooth, I never felt lost while browsing.

  22. greenmotion – Offers valuable insights, and the interface is top-notch.

  23. zenithlabs – Great user experience, everything loads so smoothly and fast.

  24. thinkbeyondtech – Offers valuable insights, and the interface is top-notch.

  25. nextlayer – Love the clean design, really easy to navigate today.

  26. boldnetwork – Found this by chance, curious what kind of content they’ll share.

  27. Eldon Snipe says:

    focuslab – Impressed by their writing style and layout synergy.

  28. ynaix – The aesthetic is clean and minimal, which works very well.

  29. connectwiththeworldnow – Really strong message, site feels inclusive and globally-minded.

  30. alihidaer2313 – The site feels minimal, design is simple yet somewhat intriguing.

  31. Clair Cully says:

    strongrod – Content is direct and helpful, no fluff in between.

  32. wavefusion – Color palette balanced, pleasing contrast without harshness.

  33. brightideaweb – The voice is friendly and encouraging, good engagement vibe.

  34. metarise – Very user friendly, easy to find what I need each visit.

  35. cyberlaunch – The writing tone is confident yet friendly, good balance.

  36. sharpwave – Seems trustworthy, content backed with good examples and clarity.

  37. brightchain – Content strikes a good balance, informative yet easy to read.

  38. innovatewithus – The layout is clean, and the navigation feels very intuitive.

  39. cloudmark – Typography is clean; reading is easy and pleasant throughout.

  40. bestchoiceonline – This site feels reliable, everything is clear and well organized.

  41. Toby Vigue says:

    nextbrand – Visuals work well, colors complement each other nicely.

  42. digitalstorm – Navigation is clean, I easily found what I wanted.

  43. everythingyouneedtoknow – Really comprehensive content, feels like a one-stop resource.

  44. discoveramazingthingsonline – Layout is playful but not messy, balance is just right.

  45. explorecreativeideasdaily – Navigation is smooth, discovering content was effortless today.

  46. ultrawave – Overall very polished, gives confidence in what’s being offered.

  47. yourbrandzone – Content is valuable, clearly written and well organized.

  48. pixelplanet – Pages load fast; images crisp even on mobile usage.

  49. Cordell Tota says:

    globalreach – Fast loading times, smooth transitions, really appreciate that.

  50. zenithmedia – Color palette works very well, not harsh on eyes.

  51. boldspark – Overall very polished, good balance of design and usability.

  52. joinourcreativecommunity – Visuals support the theme of creativity and connection perfectly.

  53. YourPathOfGrowth – The resources here are perfect for anyone looking to make a change.

  54. alphaimpact – Good contrast and color scheme; elements stand out clearly.

  55. LearnWithConfidence – Really enjoying the tutorials, everything feels structured and simple here.

  56. Son Sweeden says:

    makingeverymomentcount – Tone feels genuine, not like sales talk, more like encouragement.

  57. Jed Hawkey says:

    thebestplacetostarttoday – Layout is intuitive, I always know where to click next.

  58. learnshareandsucceed – Visuals support learning, diagrams, illustrations likely enhance understanding.

  59. getreadytoexplore – Visuals support the “exploration” theme really well, feels immersive.

  60. makelifebettereveryday – Promises consistency, something reliable to visit each day.

  61. everythingaboutsuccess – Color palette evokes energy and trust, well-chosen.

  62. findwhatyouarelookingfor – Navigation feels intuitive, didn’t struggle to get around.

  63. Angie Koppen says:

    learnsomethingneweveryday – I appreciate how clean and uncluttered the layout feels.

  64. Shane Gossen says:

    discoverendlessinspiration – Typography is elegant and spacing gives great breathing room.

  65. growyourbusinessfast – Overall very polished, confidence booster for business focused on growth.

  66. makeimpactwithideas – Navigation is clean, finding inspiration is easy and enjoyable.

  67. SimpleWaysToBeHappy – The community here is supportive and encouraging.

  68. Jeromy Friar says:

    GrowWithConfidenceHere – The community feedback is excellent, makes learning feel interactive and fun.

  69. BuildSomethingMeaningful – The resources here are perfect for anyone looking to make a change.

  70. Shayne Duzan says:

    YourTrustedSourceOnline – Their commitment to social impact is truly commendable.

  71. Beau Kerker says:

    TogetherWeCreateChange – The community support is amazing, encourages everyone to share freely.

  72. BuildABetterTomorrow – This platform is a valuable tool for community leaders.

  73. Ria Ginsburg says:

    yourjourneytobetterliving – Tone feels genuine, not preachy, which I really appreciate.

  74. Ricki Ipsen says:

    CreateInspireAndGrow – The content here is top-notch, really helps me stay motivated.

  75. stayupdatedwithtrends – The tone is confident and helpful, not too buzzwordy.

  76. Jess Bogar says:

    thefutureofinnovation – Found inspiring articles, ideas that push me to think differently.

  77. TurnIdeasIntoAction – It feels like a mentor in website form, always supportive.

  78. EverythingStartsWithYou – The content is uplifting and very relatable, makes me think.

  79. LearnSomethingAwesome – Love how each post makes me excited to explore more.

  80. Kristy Holms says:

    FindTheBestIdeas – Definitely bookmarking this for when I need a creative boost or spark.

  81. Sona Naccari says:

    LearnShareAndGrow – This platform offers great resources for community development projects.

  82. TheArtOfLivingWell – It feels like a guide, not just advice, so trustworthy.

  83. Doreen Rigo says:

    FindNewWaysToGrow – The tutorials break things down so even complicated ideas seem doable.

  84. FindAnswersAndIdeas – Every post seems to answer questions I’ve been silently asking.

  85. YourDigitalDestination – Content here is strong and well organized, very helpful indeed.

  86. GetConnectedWithPeople – The notifications and messages are timely and don’t feel spammy.

  87. Shane Kali says:

    UnlockYourPotentialToday – Community comments add value, people share real experiences here.

  88. FindSolutionsForLife – This site really helped me see problems through a fresh lens today.

  89. DiscoverWorldOfIdeas – The writing is engaging, makes the ideas stick in my mind longer.

  90. ConnectDiscoverAndGrow – I’ve already saved a few articles to revisit when I need clarity.

  91. InspireChangeAndProgress – Their articles spark new thoughts, I find them very refreshing.

  92. madeleinemtbc – Posts seem genuine, like someone who really cares

  93. markmackenzieforcongress – This platform explains the issues better than most other political pages.

  94. FindInspirationEverywhere – I often share pieces from here with friends who need encouragement.

  95. Al Mcclish says:

    YourGuideForSuccess – Definitely a resource I’ll keep coming back to when I need guidance.

  96. Jana Mankin says:

    StartChangingYourLife – The community feedback makes the journey feel shared, not lonely.

  97. DiscoverUsefulTipsDaily – Bookmarking this, it’s already become one of my favorite resources.

  98. BuildYourDreamFuture – I’m excited to try some of the strategies suggested here.

  99. DiscoverNewOpportunities – The platform is user-friendly and full of helpful guides.

  100. makethemostoflife – This site gave me a boost when I needed inspiration

  101. Tora Spana says:

    makeprogressdaily – Always look forward to the new posts, they keep me on track.

  102. inspireandgrowtogether – The design is simple and inviting, easy to navigate.

  103. findyourwayforward – Visuals match the message well, calming and focused

  104. Brent Olea says:

    discoverlearnandshare – Quick to load, easy navigation, good user experience overall

  105. growyourpresenceonline – Very encouraging tone, feels like someone believes in your growth

  106. licsupport – Appreciate the clarity, not too many ads or distractions

  107. Rickie Barns says:

    connectwithbrilliantminds – Great resources shared, feels like a smart community forming

  108. everythingaboutmarketing – Always find valuable information that helps improve my marketing skills.

  109. Wilber Arab says:

    discovertrendingideas – I discovered something useful within minutes here

  110. discoveryourpassion – This platform offers valuable tools for unlocking your potential.

  111. learnandearndaily – Content is clear and practical, not just vague motivation

  112. Mikel Ary says:

    learnexploreandshine – The voice is authentic, not overpolished or forced

  113. connectandgrowonline – The integration with social media platforms is seamless and efficient.

  114. jointhenextbigthing – Simple layout but extremely effective, really makes browsing enjoyable.

  115. togetherwecreateimpact – Lots of practical advice, not just ideas floating without action

  116. findyourinspirationhere – Love coming here when I need a boost, content is uplifting

  117. yourgatewaytosuccess – The homepage gives a vibe of encouragement and positivity, nice

  118. keepgrowingwithus – The content is uplifting and very well organized

  119. shareyourvisiontoday – Very genuine and encouraging, I feel supported reading it.

  120. inspireeverymoment – I bookmarked it, will return whenever I need a lift.

  121. votethurm – Checking this site out, seems focused on local politics and campaign.

  122. Ana Dacunto says:

    learnnewthingsdaily – Always excited to see what topic comes next, very inspiring.

  123. discovergreatideas – This platform redefines how we approach idea generation.

  124. Brady Laflen says:

    thefuturestartsnow – Bookmarking this to revisit when I need motivation again.

  125. inspireeverymoment – Thank you for sharing these little sparks of inspiration.

  126. Lili Madina says:

    theartofsuccess – This site is a gem for anyone chasing their purpose.

  127. Efren Credi says:

    startyourdigitaljourney – I love how user-friendly the interface is for beginners.

  128. yourjourneytowin – Just what I needed today — clarity and encouragement.

  129. createimpactfulstories – Every post gives me ideas I can use right away.

  130. Julie Lickey says:

    staycuriousandcreative – Such a fresh perspective on blending curiosity with creativity.

  131. Enrique Soda says:

    findyourcreativeflow – Feels like a gentle push to trust my ideas more.

  132. Dixie Rymes says:

    yourpathofsuccess – Really resonated with me, gave clarity to goals I’d forgotten.

  133. Errol Grubel says:

    mystylecorner – Checkout was simple and fast, appreciated that a lot.

  134. stacoa.org – Found a few pages that answered my questions already.

  135. filamericansforracialaction.com – Good to see WordPress used, content seems accessible and organized.

  136. myvetcoach.org – I bookmarked this — will definitely revisit for deeper resources.

  137. Dave Rendina says:

    electlarryarata – Very minimal now, curious what’s planned for this site.

  138. thespeakeasybuffalo – WordPress theme shows clearly; design feels modern.

  139. laetly.com – Couldn’t see much content, looking forward to updates.

  140. creativevision – Truly inspiring work that challenges traditional artistic perspectives.

  141. norigamihq – I tried loading it but didn’t see much content yet.

  142. Sueann Wire says:

    newseason – The colors and fonts are pleasing, design looks intentional.

  143. Lester Knier says:

    successpartnersgroup – Their team clearly knows how to deliver top-notch experiences online.

  144. Robin Coull says:

    trendyfashioncorner – Checkout process was quick and hassle-free, very user-friendly.

  145. growyourdigitalpresence – bookmarked this, will revisit when planning my next online push.

  146. summerstageinharlem.org – Free music events like this make city life feel so richer.

  147. pinellasehe.org – Visiting felt like discovering a calm, thoughtful space online.

  148. rockyrose.org – The colors and layout make browsing a delightful experience.

  149. globalideasnetwork – I’ll keep an eye on this brand, fresh ideas and quality content.

  150. formative-coffee.com – The blog section is lovely, full of interesting coffee culture reads.

  151. Jeff Lenord says:

    hecimagine.com – The site name matches the Instagram “HEC Imagine” profile I saw. :contentReference[oaicite:1]index=1

  152. cryptotephra-clagr.com – Also referenced in a UNLV News article about Lake Mead geology. :contentReference[oaicite:1]index=1

  153. discovernewideas – So many cool ideas packed in, I’m excited to explore more.

  154. createimpact – Interface is clean, found what I wanted super quickly.

  155. inspiredgrowthteam – Their content feels motivated and authentic, got me inspired right away.

  156. Lita Glynn says:

    ukrainianvictoryisthebestaward.com – The contents are mostly Japanese/blog posts about gambling-apps and casinos.

  157. luxurytrendstore – I appreciate the detailed product descriptions and quality images.

  158. nextgeninnovation – Their portfolio section really stood out, very impressive work shown.

  159. Val Worosz says:

    visionaryleadersclub – Their value proposition is well communicated, makes sense to stay.

  160. partnershippowerhouse – Having clean design plus meaningful content makes all the difference here.

  161. discovernewpath – I’d share this with friends, seems like something worth knowing.

  162. uniquefashionstyle – The website’s simplicity makes shopping a pleasant experience.

  163. Seth Hebert says:

    nextvision – I visited the link but it didn’t load, might be down or inactive.

  164. Van Bau says:

    trustconnectionnetwork – Overall, a reliable and enjoyable online shopping destination.

  165. strategicgrowthalliance – Appreciate the straightforward navigation and clear headings.

  166. Gavin Opoien says:

    trustedbusinesslink – The trust signals are strong—clear contact info, helpful testimonials.

  167. futureopportunitynetwork – Excellent platform for discovering new opportunities and insights.

  168. growstrongteam – Overall great user experience, feels honest and well built.

  169. futurevisiongroup – Trust indicators make me want to learn more about their mission.

  170. learnsharegrow – They deliver value without overcomplicating things, I appreciate that.

  171. happylifestylehub – User interface is smooth, I never struggle to find things.

  172. Alpha Binks says:

    growthpoint – I like how content is organized, makes it easy to navigate and absorb.

  173. futuremindscollective – Appreciate the quality materials and thoughtful designs.

  174. futureopportunitynetwork – Good balance between branding, content, and user experience.

  175. Ivana Doker says:

    teamfuture – Already bookmarked this one, I sense long-term value here.

  176. trustandunity – I’m excited to see more content here, seems like something special.

  177. digitalinnovationzone – Always refreshing to see clarity in examples, excellent stuff.

  178. Jamaal Sain says:

    successbridge – I’ve bookmarked this site, think it’ll be valuable long-term.

  179. Russell Pech says:

    getthedeal – Simple checkout process, I grabbed some products in minutes now.

  180. leadersunitedgroup – The content seems authentic, not like marketing fluff, very refreshing.

  181. Jacob Giusto says:

    connectinnovationhub – The layout’s modern and clean, gives confidence in content quality.

  182. winmore – I’ll be returning often, I sense good value in topics.

  183. findsomethingnew – Layout is clean, navigation is easy, very user-friendly.

  184. futuregoalsnetwork – I feel motivated every time I visit — powerful ideas.

  185. successjourneyclub – I like how encouraging everything feels here, really uplifting vibe.

  186. trustconnectionnetwork – I feel like I can trust what I read here, very genuine.

  187. discovervalue – The interface is clean and easy, I find exactly what I’m looking for.

  188. findtrendystuff – Nice place, I found some quirky items I didn’t expect.

  189. globalpartnershipteam – Their visuals are clear and inspiring, makes you want to engage more.

  190. discoverdaily – Always something to learn, the content is solid and helpful.

  191. leadersunitedgroup – Design and tone go well together, consistent and polished.

  192. Chad Corder says:

    exploreideasworld – Every idea here sparks something new, I love coming back.

  193. connectinnovationhub – Bookmarked it already — looks like a resource I’ll revisit.

  194. growtogetheralliance – I appreciate the tone, feels like they really want to help.

  195. brightdeal – I found useful ideas here that I can actually apply.

  196. innovateandbuild – Feels like this is a place where ideas grow well.

  197. buildtogether – Content is helpful and practical, not just buzzwords — very appreciated.

  198. Gary Gilman says:

    growthnetwork – Good balance of inspiration and practical advice, very well done.

  199. businessgrowthhub – Every post seems well thought through, no fluff.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *