Biblical Research Institute Studies, vol.

Understanding
Scripture
An Adventist Approach

George W. Reid, Editor

Biblical Research Institute

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Silver Spring, MD 20904
2005

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 Copyright © 2006, by the Biblical Research Institute
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Silver Spring, MD 20904

Scriptures credited to CJB are from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. Published
by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 615, Clarksville, Maryland 21029, USA. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations credited to ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by
Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture texts credited to NAB are from The New American Bible, copyright © 1970, by the Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of copyright owner. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, © Copyright 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scriptures credited to NCV are from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by
Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission.
Texts credited to NEB are from The New English Bible, copyright © The Delegates of the Oxford University
Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970. Reprinted by permission.
Quotations designated NET are from the Holy Bible: The NET Bible ® (New English Translation ™).
Copyright © 2001 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.netbible.com. All rights reserved. Quoted by permission.
Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984,
International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
Texts credited to NKJV are from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson,
Inc., Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptures quoted from NLV are from The New Life Version, copyright © 1969, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986. Used
by permission.
Texts credited to REB are from The Revised English Bible, copyright © Oxford University Press and Cambridge
University Press, 1989. Reprinted by permission.

Printed in the U.S.A. by the

Review and Herald Publishing Association
Hagerstown, MD 21740

ISBN 978-0-925675-17-0

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 Editor
George W. Reid

Associate Editor
Gerhard Pfandl

BRICOM Members 2000-2005

Niels-Erik Andreasen George R. Knight

John T. Baldwin Robert E. Lemon
Matthew A. Bediako John K. McVay
Ivan T. Blazen Ekkehardt Müller
Keith Burton Daegeuk Nam
Lael O. Caesar James R. Nix
Jaime Castrejón Brempong Owusu-Antwi
Gordon E. Christo Jon K. Paulien
JoAnn M. Davidson Jan Paulsen
Richard M. Davidson Paul B. Petersen
Ganoune Diop Roberto Pereyra
Ron duPreez Gerhard Pfandl
Larry R. Evans George W. Reid
Francisco Gayoba Ángel M. Rodríguez
Daniel Heinz Artur A. Stele
Eugene Hsu Ted N. C. Wilson
Greg A. King Randall W. Younker
Miroslav M. Kiš E. Edward Zinke

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 Contributors

John T. Baldwin, Ph.D. Professor of Theology, Theological Seminary, Andrews University

Lael O. Caesar, Ph.D. Professor of Old Testament, Andrews University
Fernando L. Canale, Ph.D. Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Theological Seminary, Andrews
University
Richard M. Davidson, Ph.D. Professor of Old Testament, Theological Seminary, Andrews University
Ganoune Diop, Ph.D. Professor of Old and New Testament, Oakwood College
Ron du Preez, D.Min. Th.D. Pastor, Michigan Conference, North American Division
Frank M. Hasel, Ph.D. Professor of Theology, Bogenhofen Seminary
Greg A. King, Ph.D. Professor of Old Testament, Southern Adventist University
Gerald A. Klingbeil, D.Litt. Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, River Plate
Adventist University
Ekkehardt Müller, D.Min. Th.D. Associate Director, Biblical Research Institute
Jon K. Paulien, Ph.D. Professor of New Testament, Theological Seminary, Andrews University
Gerhard Pfandl, Ph.D. Associate Director, Biblical Research Institute
George W. Reid, Th.D. Former Director, Biblical Research Institute
George E. Rice, Ph.D. Pastor, Chesapeake Conference, North American Division
Ángel M. Rodríguez, Th.D. Director, Biblical Research Institute
Tom Shepherd, Dr.Ph.H., Ph.D. Professor of Religion, Union College
Alberto R. Timm, Ph.D. Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, Brazil Adventist
University
Peter M. van Bemmelen, Th.D. Emeritus Professor of Theology, Theological Seminary, Andrews University

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 Dedication

It is an honor and a pleasure to dedicate this book to

RAOUL DEDEREN

In appreciation for his many years of superior service as a member of the Biblical Research Institute
Committee.
In recognition of his exemplary Christian character and the depth of his thought that have made him
one of the most important and influential theologians in Seventh-day Adventist history.
In gratitude for his theological contributions in the classroom and in his writings in the area of the
biblical doctrine of revelation and inspiration.

The members of the Biblical

Research Institute Committee

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 Content

Contributors iv
Dedication v
Foreword ix
Preface xi
Abbreviations xiii

Chapter I
Historical Background of Adventist Biblical Interpretation 1
—Alberto R. Timm
Chapter II 15
Faith, Reason, and the Holy Spirit in Hermeneutics
—John T. Baldwin
Chapter III 27
Presuppositions in the Interpretation of Scripture
—Frank M. Hasel
Chapter IV 47
Revelation and Inspiration
—Fernando Canale
Chapter V 75
The Authority of Scripture
—Peter M. van Bemmelen
Chapter VI 91
The Text and Canon of Scripture
—Gerald A. Klingbeil
Chapter VII 111
Guidelines for the Interpretation of Scripture
—Ekkehardt Müller
Chapter VIII 135
Innerbiblical Interpretation:
Reading the Scriptures Intertextually
—Ganoune Diop

Chapter IX 153
Interpreting Old Testament Historical Narrative
—Greg A. King
Chapter X 163
Reading Psalms and the Wisdom Literature

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 —Gerhard Pfandl and Ángel M. Rodríguez
Chapter XI 183
Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy
—Richard M. Davidson
Chapter XII 205
Interpretation of the Gospels and Epistles
—George E. Rice
Chapter XIII 223
Interpretation of Biblical Types, Parables, and Allegories
—Tom Shepherd
Chapter XIV 245
The Hermeneutics of Biblical Apocalyptic
—Jon K. Paulien
Chapter XV 271
Hermeneutics and Culture
—Lael O. Caesar
Chapter XVI 285
Interpreting and Applying Biblical Ethics
—Ron du Preez
Chapter XVII 309
Ellen G. White and Hermeneutics
—Gerhard Pfandl
Appendix A 329
Methods of Bible Study
Appendix B 339
The Use of the Modified Version of the
Historical-Critical Approach by Adventist Scholars
—Ángel M. Rodríguez

Scripture Index 353

Index of Authors 357
Subject Index 359

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 Foreword

Seventh-day Adventists are a community of believers shaped by the Scriptures in their doctrinal
convictions and practices, as well as in their daily interaction with others. The reading and the study of the
Bible, accompanied by prayer, is a central spiritual discipline in the life of the church. This spiritual
discipline should be exemplified and promoted by church leaders, teachers, pastors, and church elders
throughout the world.
The Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference has always been very interested in the vital
role of the Bible in nurturing the community of believers. Consequently, it has sought to provide materials
for study that will deepen the church members’ understanding of the Bible and will train them in how to
study it by themselves. This new volume, produced under the auspices of the Biblical Research Institute
and the scholars of the Biblical Research Institute Committee, addresses the question of how to interpret
the Scriptures. Its fundamental purpose is to stimulate the study of the Scriptures, using basic principles of
interpretation that will minimize, and, if possible, eliminate, arbitrary interpretations of the Word of God.
This volume introduces the readers to a series of principles of biblical interpretation that is compatible
with the Adventist high view of the Bible as the Word of God. By including chapters dealing with the nature
of revelation, inspiration, and the authority of the Bible, it reveals the scriptural presuppositions that
Seventh-day Adventists bring to the text as they seek to obtain a better understanding of the Bible and of
their own presuppositions.
The Biblical Research Institute is particularly grateful to George W. Reid for accepting the task as
editor of this volume. His 18 years as Director of the Institute qualified him in a special way to edit this
important book. We are also grateful to Gerhard Pfandl, associate editor, and to Marlene Bacchus, desktop
publishing specialist, for the many hours they spent with George Reid in preparing this book for
publication. The church at large, and in particular the community of Adventist Bible teachers, will always
remain indebted to them for the excellent job done. May the church be continually blessed through the
pages of this book.

Ángel M. Rodríguez
Director
Biblical Research Institute

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 Preface

Seventh-day Adventist faith and praxis rest on the Scriptures as final authority, evidenced by the fact
that a statement on the Bible heads the official statement of church beliefs. We are a people of the Book in
which God has spoken to humanity in terms intelligible to all, yet transmitted within our language and
experience.
The Scriptures unveil an astonishing panorama of insights that addresses every element of the human
need to know. There God reveals Himself, His character, purposes, historic acts, and will. He traces the
elements of the cosmos, including humanity’s origins, redemption in Christ, and the promise of an ultimate
destiny in His kingdom. This sweeping world view stands absolutely without peer, flooding our intellect
and emotions with ultimate meaning. Without the Word of God, our understanding would be reduced to
conjectural guesswork, built on a shifting analysis of our environment.
Given the Word’s supreme manifestation in Christ Jesus, in whom “the word was made flesh and
dwelt among us,” we see His Person expressed in human terms. But its written form must be, and will be,
interpreted anew by each generation. This is the task of hermeneutics and the prime reason this book was
written.
The first Biblical Research Institute book on hermeneutics appeared in 1974. Since then, however,
great changes have taken place in our world, exerting a heavy impact on biblical studies and on
interpretation. Instant communication has erased the former isolation found in many parts of the world.
In such a setting this new publication comes to aid pastors and laypersons who seek a sound approach to
God’s Word.
Today we face issues that demand attention and simply must be addressed. Postmodern trends reach
beyond historically based studies to the way in which religious meaning arises within the person to
become the controlling force in interpretation. Contemporary thinking largely abandons the idea that the
central purpose of the Scriptures is to communicate messages objectively from the sovereign God. As far
as possible, this book seeks to uncover modes of interpretation that arise from the Scriptures themselves,
which requires affirmation of the universality of final truth, with God as its ultimate source.
Why is all this important? The very work of the church in fulfilling the work that Jesus gave it rests
for both message and mission on what we conceive His commission to include. How we interpret
Scripture is of huge importance. Will the Scriptures speak with authority in the sense of providing a
model, transcendent and applicable to all cultures and to all people, or are they simply a pool of ideas
from which the religiously inclined may draw to craft their personal conceptions of what really matters?
Sound interpretation leads to understanding, and that which we understand controls our actions. So this
book addresses the very foundation stones from which the Bible in the Christian life holds a commanding
position.
As a reader you will find here a series of specialized chapters, each written with a prayerful concern
open to the guidance of the Spirit. All the authors are highly qualified Adventist scholars, committed in
stewardship to the Lord Jesus, writing for the purpose of helping every reader of the Scriptures recover
the intent incorporated in God’s Word. While its giving was couched in human settings, beyond them we
seek the eternal truths that reveal God’s character and purposes.

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 The writers of these chapters come originally from many countries and cultures yet share a common
commitment to Christ and to the written Word. They constitute a living example of how the Scriptures
reach out to express the universal message of God.
We extend our gratitude to the authors for their work and for their patience with an editorial process
that often abridged their work by as much as fifty percent to keep the final product within a reasonable
length. Especially, we are obliged to the staff of the Biblical Research Institute, under whose auspices we
present this book to all who sincerely seek to understand God and to put into living practice the treasures
of His Word.

George W. Reid
Director
Biblical Research Institute
1984–2001

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 Abbreviations

Ellen G. White Works

AA The Acts of the Apostles
CD Counsels on Diet and Foods
CH Counsels on Health
COL Christ’s Object Lessons
CSW Counsels on Sabbath School Work
CT Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
CW Counsels to Writers and Editors
DA The Desire of Ages
Ed Education
EGW’88 Ellen G. White 1888 General Conference Materials
Ev Evangelism
EW Early Writings
FE Fundamentals of Christian Education
GC The Great Controversy
LDE Last Day Events
LS Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
MB Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing
MCP Mind, Character, and Personality (2 vols.)
MH The Ministry of Healing
MR Manuscript Release
MYP Messages to Young People
PC Paulson Collection
PP Patriarchs and Prophets
SC Steps to Christ
SG Spiritual Gifts (4 vols.)
PM Publishing Ministry
SM Selected Messages (3 vols.)
SP The Spirit of Prophecy (4 vols.)
SSW Sabbath School Worker
T Testimonies for the Church (9 vols.)
TM Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
UL The Upward Look

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Other References
AR Adventist Review
BC The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
CJB Complete Jewish Bible
ESV English Standard Version
GCB General Conference Bulletin
JATS Journal of Adventist Theology
LCC Library of Christian Classics
LW Luther’s Works
LXX Septuagint
MS Manuscript
NAB New American Bible
NASB New American Standard Bible
NCV New Century Version
NEB New English Bible
NET New English Translation
NIV New International Version
NKJV New King James Version
NLV New Life Version
NT New Testament
OT Old Testament
REB Revised English Bible
RH Review and Herald
RI Revelation-Inspiration
ST Signs of the Times

Biblical Books
Gen Genesis Isa Isaiah
Exod Exodus Jer Jeremiah
Lev Leviticus Lam Lamentations
Num Numbers Ezek Ezekiel
Deut Deuteronomy Dan Daniel
Josh Joshua Hos Hosea
Judg Judges Joel Joel
Ruth Ruth Amos Amos
1-2 Sam 1-2 Samuel Obad Obadiah
1-2 Kgs 1-2 Kings Jonah Jonah
1-2 Chron 1-2 Chronicles Mic Micah
Ezra Ezra Nah Nahum
Neh Nehemiah Hab Habakkuk
Esth Esther Zeph Zephaniah
Job Job Hag Haggai
Ps(s) Psalms Zech Zechariah
Prov Proverbs Mal Malachi
Eccl Ecclesiastes Matt Matthew
Song Song of Solomon Mark Mark

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Luke Luke 1-2 Tim 1-2 Timothy
John John Titus Titus
Acts Acts Phlm Philemon
Rom Romans Heb Hebrew
1-2 Cor 1-2 Corinthians Jas James
Gal Galatians 1-2 Pet 1-2 Peter
Eph Ephesians 1-2-3 John 1-2-3 John
Phil Philippians Jude Jude
Col Colossians Rev Revelation
1-2 Thess 1-2 Thessalonians

Hebrew Alphabet
 = ’  = z  = ‘
 = b  = ú  = p

 = b  = ‹  = p

 = g  = y  = §

 = g  = k  = q
 = k  = r
 = d
 = l  = °
 = d
 = m  = Á
 = h
 = n  = t
 = w
 = s  = t

Masoretic Vowel Pointings

 = a  = »
 = Œ  = ¿
 = Ø  = •
 = e  = ™
 = Ù  = u
 =   ž
=
 = i

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 Greek Alphabet

 = a  = n
 = b  = x
 = g  = o
 = d  = p
 = e  = r
 = z ,= s
 = Ù  = t
 = th  = y
 = i  = ph
 = k  = ch
 = l  = ps
 = m  = ō
‘ = h

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