On Sunday I introduced our study on How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by reading the account of Jesus dealing with the temptations of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). The point is that we are to obey the Word for what it truly means — it is not enough to simply quote Scripture and go on our way. As that story shows, even Satan can do that.

Then this same idea turned up in a blog I read this morning…

Hermeneutics is about reading God’s words with understanding so that we might be conformed more and more to the image of Christ. Whatever the role of the intellect in hermeneutics, it is still a spiritual discipline. We can go further and remind ourselves that any spiritual discipline is characterized by spiritual warfare. We are not engaged in Trivial Pursuit or in solving lateral thinking problems in order to feel some sense of satisfaction if we can come up with acceptable answers to various questions and problems. That is why biblical interpretation must be seen as the spiritual struggle that it is.

The quote comes from the upcoming book titled Gospel-centered Hermeneutics by Graeme Goldsworthy, if you’re interested.

HT: Justin Taylor