Reading Scripture in the Reformed Tradition

If Scripture is at the heart of all that the Reformed Church undertakes, (and it is), how then do we read the Bible? This is a critical question for every Christian, and one that has seen a great deal of lively debate in the last four hundred years. Here on this page are just a few links to and statements by pastoral writers and teaching theologians across the Reformed Tradition on this question. We have gathered these resources over the years, from our Conferences and from other writings. We commend them to you and hope you find them helpful.

Rules for Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition 1. Scripture is to be interpreted with confidence in and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2. The scripture principle: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of scripture, comparing scripture with scripture, with openness to hear the whole Word of God, not just selected parts of it. 3. The Christological principle: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of God's central self-revelation in Jesus Christ. 4. The rule of love: scripture is to be interpreted in light of the one commandment of God that summarizes all other commandments, love for God and for all our neighbors. 5. The rule of faith: Scripture is to be interpreted with respect for the church's past and present interpretation of scripture. 6. Scripture in to be interpreted in light of the literary forms and historical context in which it was written. 7. Scripture is to be interpreted seeking the word and work of the living God in our time and place. 8. Scripture is to be interpreted with awareness of our limitations and fallibility and with openness to change our mind and be corrected. "Reformed" means always being reformed afresh by the Word of God. Where these rules are discussed in the Presbyterian Book of Confessions: Scots Confession, Chapters XVIII and XIX Second Helvetic Confession, Chapters I and II Westminster Confession, Chapter I Shorter Catechism, Questions 89 and 90 Declaration of Barmen, 8.10-12 Confession of 1967, 9.27-30 Compiled by Shirley Guthrie, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary	Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture A Position Statement Adopted by the 123rd General Assembly (1983) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (html text) Biblical Authority and Interpretation (resource document) along with Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture (denominational position statement) (PDF - 5 mg file, 42 pgs) Guidelines for Biblical Interpretation in the Book of Confessions The Whole Bible for the Whole Human Family Biblical faculty at Presbyterian seminaries Homosexuality and the Bible Walter Wink, Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Auburn Theological Seminary What Does the Bible Tell Us About Sexuality? Tricia Dykers Koenig, National Organizer, Covenant Network Presbyterian 101 - The Bible A introduction to the Bible on the PC(USA) web site. What Presbyterians Believe - The Bible Part of a series printed by the Presbyterian Survey Reading the Bible: The Presbyterian Way Jack Rogers, Professor of Theology, San Francisco Theological Seminary This address was later expanded and published as Reading the Bible and the Confessions: The Presbyterian Way (1999, Geneva Press). The $10 paperback is available in bookstores or from Presbyterian Distribution Service, (800) 227-2872. Scripture that Speaks to Me Douglas Nave, Trustee, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City Bible Study Used in Synod of the Trinity Donald R. Repsher, Honorably Retired, Lehigh Presbytery Rules for Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition - Printer Friendly Version Papers and Sermons from the 2000 Covenant Conference, Biblical Authority and the Church: Biblical Authority: A Personal Reflection Walter Bruegggemann, Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary Struggling with Scripture William Placher, Professor of Religion, Wabash College The Last Word on Biblical Authority Brian Blount, Associate Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary Sermon: Red Tulips, Arise! Angela Ying, Pastor, Bethany United Church of Christ, Seattle Sermon: Homecoming Agnes Norfleet, Pastor, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, GA Sermon: Coloring Outside the Lines Tom Tewell, Pastor, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City Sermon: It's Waiting Scott Anderson, Executive Director, California Council of Churches Sermon, day after Covenant Conference: Knowing What's Important as We Interpret Scripture Pamela Byers, Executive Director, Covenant Network *Reviews of The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics,* by Robert A. J. Gagnon** Beth Johnson, Professor of New Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary Holly E. Hearon, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis Edward F. Campbell, Jr., Professor of Old Testament, McCormick Seminary (retired) Jack Rogers, Fomer Moderator of the PC(USA) (PDF file, 84k)


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Reading Scripture in the Reformed Tradition

Rules for Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition

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