The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 234

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

194

For they wrote things the comprehensive meaning which they did not understand. E.g., when Moses wrote about the serpent's seed, it is obvious that he did not begin to see all that terpretation. of

contained in the

is

"

bruising of his heel."

Hence the Holy Spirit alone can interpret the Scripture. And how? After the manner of Rome, by means of an official translation as the Vulgate an official interpretation of every word and sentence and an official condemnation of every other explanation? By no means. This would be very easy, but also very unspiritual. Death would cleave to it. The full, boundless ocean of truth would ;

;

be confined within the narrow limits of a formula. freshing fragrance of

life,

And

the re-

which always meets us from the sacred

page, would at once be

lost.

Surely the churches

may

not be given over to an

sponsible translation of the

Word and we

mutual care of the churches

in providing

;

arbitrarj', irre-

greatly appreciate the

a correct translation in even highly desirable that, under the seal of their approval, the churches should publish expository marginal readings. But neither the one nor the other should ever replace the Scripture itself. Scriptural research must ever be free. And when there is spiritual courage, then let the churches revise their translation and see whether their expository readings need modification. Not, however, to unsettle things every three years, but that in every period of vigorous, animated, spiritual life the light of the Holy Spirit may be shed in larger measure upon the things that always need more light. Hence the work of the Holy Spirit with reference to interpretathe vernacular.

We

consider

it

and the means employed are (i) scientific study; Word; and (3) the spiritual experience of the Church. And it is by the cooperation of these three factors that, in the course of ages, the Holy Spirit indicates which interpretation deviates from the truth, and which is the correct understanding of the Word. tion is indirect, (2)

:

the ministry of the

This interpretation

The Holy to

is

Scripture

meet the needs and

followed by the application.

is

a wonderful mystery, which

conflicts of

is

intended

every age, nation, and

saint.

When

preparing it He foreknew those ages, nations, and saints, and with an eye to their necessities He so planned and arranged it as it is

now

offered to us.

And

only then will the Holy Scripture attain

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