Avoiding Humanism in Biblical Interpretation and Application
Avoiding Humanism in Biblical Interpretation and Application
Humanism in biblical interpretation occurs when human reasoning or cultural norms are prioritized over the authority and guidance of Scripture. The Bible warns against this tendency, cautioning believers to avoid "Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth" (Titus 1:14) [1]. This warning is echoed in II Timothy 3:5, which advises believers to "avoid these people" who maintain "a form of godliness, but denying its power" [2].
To avoid humanism in biblical interpretation, one must prioritize the authority of Scripture and be cautious of interpretations that rely too heavily on human reasoning or cultural context. one commentary tradition on Romans 3:4 highlights the importance of upholding God's truth, even if it means acknowledging human fallibility [3]. Similarly, the commentary on Proverbs 19:27 advises believers to "avoid whatever leads from truth" [5].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition also emphasizes the importance of adhering to the literal meaning of Scripture. Adam Clarke's commentary on Revelation 22:19 warns against "indulging conjectures" or "explaining away the spirit and design" of biblical prophecies [6]. This caution is echoed in the Reformed tradition, where Calvin's commentary on Genesis emphasizes the importance of understanding the biblical text in its historical and cultural context [7].
In applying biblical teachings, believers must be mindful of the danger of imposing human interpretations or cultural norms on the text. one commentary tradition on Micah 7:2 notes that true righteousness is often lacking, even among those who claim to follow God [4]. To avoid humanism, believers must prioritize the teachings of Scripture and be willing to challenge cultural or personal assumptions that may contradict biblical truth.
Sources
- Titus “Titus 1:14 (NASB) — not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:5 (LEB) — maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:4: God forbid--literally, "Let it not be," that is, "Away with such a thought"--a favorite expression of our apostle, when he would not only repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it. "The Scriptures do not authorize such a use of God's name as must have been common among the English translators of the Bible" [HODGE]. yea, let God be--held true, and every man a liar--that is, even though it should follow from this that every man is a liar. when thou art judged--so in Psa 51:4, according to the Septuagint; but ”
- Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 7:2: The Hebrew expresses "one merciful and good in relation to man," rather than to God. is perished out of the earth-- (Psa 12:1).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 19:27: Avoid whatever leads from truth.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 22:19: If any man shall take away - If any man shall lessen this meaning, curtail the sense, explain away the spirit and design, of these prophecies, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, etc. Thus Jesus Christ warns all those who consider this book to beware of indulging their own conjectures concerning it. I confess that this warning has its own powerful influence upon my mind, and has prevented me from indulging my own conjectures concerning its meaning, or of adopting the conjectures of others. These visions and threatenings are too delicate and aw”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 21.10: themselves servants through modesty; now they consign themselves over to him as slaves. But in the case of Benjamin they plead for a mitigation of the severity of the punishment; and this is a kind of entreaty, that he might not be capitally punished, as they had agreed to, at the first. 173 173 On the whole of this verse, Dr. A. Clarke remarks, “No words can more strongly mark confusion and peturbation of mind. They no doubt all thought that Benjamin had actually stolen the cup.” He also thinks it probable that this very cup ha”