INTERPRETATION VS APPLICATION
“… nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” 2 Corinthians 4:2.
Interpretation is the explanation of exactly what the text meant when it was written. It must include the historical, doctrinal, dispensational and prophetical meaning of the text. One cannot be loose and opinionated when seeking the true interpretation of a passage. He must be guided by the rules of biblical hermeneutics, rightly dividing the Scriptures, knowing what is literal, and what is symbolic. Interpretation is one thing; application is something altogether different.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Application is imperative, but it must conform to the doctrine of the dispensation we are in today.[/pullquote]
There is no way to measure the damage done to believers through faulty application. The above picture illustrates this. This slight-of-hand is done when the preacher chooses a text and then preaches a topic or subject that has absolutely nothing to do with the chosen text. This art is so cleverly done that the average Christian thinks the text actually teaches what is being taught. No doubt, in some cases, the preacher thinks so himself.
Examples of this are seen when a text is read and then the preacher preaches his own preferences, church tradition or denominational views. You can identify this when he veers off to subjects like, how Christians should dress, what music they can listen to, what music and musical instruments can be used in the church and the sin of using Power Point. They think the Bible is opposed to promotions and special events to reach the lost. There is no end to the “do not’s” from this crowd. They think the Scriptures actually support their teaching on these and other like subjects. It does not!
Application is imperative when preaching, but all application must conform to the doctrines of the dispensation we are in today, and to the Scriptures. To do otherwise, is to handle the Word of God deceitfully for one’s own ends.
My advice is that one listen intently and test all preaching by this dispensation of grace to ensure that he or she is not being controlled or misinformed by a pastor who uses the Bible for his own ends rather than teaching exactly what it says. Remember, the marks of a cult are to use the Bible to control his followers.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.