Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

One of the most common reasons given for the wide variety of Christian beliefs and practices is that we cannot all understand the Bible alike. This is to argue that we cannot read the Scriptures and come to the same conclusions about what is written therein, and therefore a uniform response to the teachings of the Bible is impossible.

This argument is not one that is consistent with the way reading the Bible is described in the Bible itself. Consider a few proofs from scripture that understanding the Bible alike was not only possible but expected and required.

1. The Law was read aloud and understood by its hearers on multiple occasions.

Exodus 24.7-8 records the first instance of public scripture reading, when Moses reads the “Book of the Covenant” in the hearing of the Israelite people. This “book of the covenant” is the Law of Moses, recorded by Moses after being received it upon Mt. Sinai (24.4). The Hebrew writer describes this book as containing “every commandment of the Law” (Heb. 9.19).

Twice in Exodus 24 do the people respond to Moses’ declaration of God’s Law “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.” (v.3, 7). At that moment, their words constituted a binding covenant with God. If they could not all understand God’s word alike, how could their commitment to these words been valid? What would their obedience have looked like? Would differing understandings and responses to God’s law have been condoned? Of course not. Understanding God’s law implies that it is only understood one way: The way God intended it to be understood, which He communicates via His word. All other understandings constitute misunderstandings, as they differ from the stated will of God. If God’s law had been ambiguous or impossible to understand alike, then either God wrote it that way on purpose (which is unjust, as He held Israel to their commitment) or by accident, which strips Him of His omnipotence.

1. Kings of Israel were commanded to read the Law and keep it.

In Deuteronomy 17.18-20, Israelite kings were required by the Law to copy, read, and comply with the words of the Law of Moses. Specifically, they were to do so in order that they “may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left…” (v.20). In short, the kings were commanded to do precisely what the Law said, and any deviation from this Law would be condemned. In his reading, the king was to “learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statues, and doing them…” (v.19).

This implies some important things to us. First, that the Law was intelligible is key. The Law was to be copied and read and the king is expected to be able to respond appropriately. This shows that the Law wasn’t a convoluted, mysterious text that was impossible to comprehend. Second, the king’s response was not to be subject to his private interpretation of the text. Instead, the king was expected to carry out precisely what was said in the Law. Third, the phrase “right hand or the left” implies that a failure to hold to the text constitutes a deviation from the Law, not a differing interpretation as to what the Law says or means.

1. Jesus repeatedly referenced the Jews’ reading of the Law, expecting them to have understood what they read.

Frequently in the Gospels Jesus begins His statements to the Jewish religious leaders with “Have you not read” (cf. Matt. 12.3; 19.4; 21.16, 42, etc.). In these cases, Jesus Himself recognized that the Old Testament scriptures could be understood, and even chided the Pharisees/scribes for their lack of understanding regarding the scriptures. One such instance highlights this point beautifully. In Luke 10.25 a lawyer tested Jesus by asking what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10.26 ESV).

Notice what Jesus just asked the man to do: Consider the Law of Moses and determine what is necessary for a person to do to inherit eternal life. If interpretation of scripture (and response to it) is determined by the individual, how could Jesus possibly demand that this lawyer answer the question correctly? In our religious world that rejects that we can understand the Bible alike, wouldn’t anything the man said be correct? The Lawyer responded with what are called the first and second great commands: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”. (v.27) (cf. Dt. 6.5; Lev. 19.18; Mt. 22.37-40).

Jesus’ response: “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” (v.28). Here Jesus demonstrates that other answers to His question would have been incorrect! It also shows that the lawyer could use discernment and reasoning concerning God’s word to arrive at the correct conclusion.