by J. Randal Matheny

God did not put the gospel in a movie, but in a book. Nor did he burn it to a CD, a DVD, or stick it on an eight-track tape. The Bible is the divine record of the Creator's carrying out of his eternal plan. What he has done, still does, and will do.

Some think the Bible is open to interpretation. So much so that there may be several valid ones, some better than others perhaps. So when one interpretation doesn't please someone, he can reply, " That's just your interpretation." By that phrase is meant that an interpretation is merely one person's attempt to understand and apply the Bible, which is not binding upon anyone else.

Without demeaning the need to grasp the context of Biblical writings, to appreciate the nature of the type of literature, or to study the meanings of words, sentences, and paragraphs, one can rightly say that the Bible is interpretation. In the Bible God explains his own acts in history.

How do we know, for example, that of three men crucified on Golgotha outside Jerusalem one day, one death had special meaning? Because God caused men to write, explain that event, and associate it with divine intent and observable signs, like the tearing of the temple curtain, darkness during the day, and the resurrection of the dead.

The apostles and prophets of the new covenant further explain the implications and applications of that event for one's life.

Paul said he wrote about God's work so that "when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4, NKJV).

What was written could be, and can be, understood and, as forceful divine interpretation (John calls the miracles "signs"), is capable of causing belief in the reader/hearer (John 20:30-31).

So in a real sense, the Bible doesn't need interpretation, for it already is that. What is needs is response -- belief and obedience.

For who is willing to say to God, "That's just your interpretation"?