Making Scripture Relevant in a Changing World
The concept of making Scripture relevant in a changing world is rooted in the biblical understanding of Scripture as a living and active word of God. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 that "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" [2]. This verse highlights the divine origin and purpose of Scripture, emphasizing its relevance and applicability to human life.
The Bible itself demonstrates an awareness of its own relevance across different contexts and times. The author of Hebrews notes that "by faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God" (Hebrews 11:3) [5]. This understanding underscores the timeless nature of Scripture, as it speaks to fundamental aspects of reality and human existence.
In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, "so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God" [3]. This transformation is facilitated by engagement with Scripture, which provides the necessary wisdom and guidance for living out one's faith in a changing world.
The Protestant academic tradition emphasizes the ongoing relevance of Scripture through its interpretation and application. For instance, the Tyndale House commentary on Romans 15:4 notes that "all that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God's plan" [7]. This perspective highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating how Scripture remains relevant as it speaks to the unfolding of God's plan across history.
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition also underscores the importance of Scripture in a changing world. Adam Clarke's commentary on Revelation 14:6 interprets the "everlasting Gospel" as potentially referring to a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel is rapidly sent throughout the world. This could be seen as a call to continually re-evaluate and re-apply the message of Scripture in new contexts [6].
Moreover, the image of the Gospel as a traveler, used by Adam Clarke in his commentary on Colossians 1:6, illustrates the dynamic and expansive nature of Scripture's relevance. The Gospel is portrayed as a message that journeys through different regions, proclaiming "glad tidings of great joy to all people" [8]. This imagery suggests that Scripture is not static but is instead a living and active force that continues to move and engage with new cultures and societies.
The early Christian practice of interpreting and applying Scripture in various contexts demonstrates an understanding of its ongoing relevance. The New Testament writers frequently cite and interpret the Old Testament, showing how it speaks to the events and challenges of their time [1, 4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
- 2 Timothy “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, -- 2 Timothy 3:16”
- Romans “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. -- Romans 12:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 11:3 (DRC) — By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God: that from invisible things visible things might be made.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:6: Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel - Whether this angel mean any more than a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world; or whether it mean any especial messenger, order of preachers, people, or society of Christians, whose professed object it is to send the Gospel of the kingdom throughout the earth, we know not. But the vision seems truly descriptive of a late institution, entitled The British and Foreign Bible Society, whose object it is to print an”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 15:4: 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us: All that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God’s plan.”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:6: Which is come unto you - The doctrine of the Gospel is represented as a traveler, whose object it is to visit the whole habitable earth; and, having commenced his journey in Judea, had proceeded through Syria and through different parts of Asia Minor, and had lately arrived at their city, every where proclaiming glad tidings of great joy to all people. As it is in all the world - So rapid is this traveler in his course, that he had already gone nearly through the whole of the countries under the Roman dominion; and will travel on till he has proclaimed his messag”