3. Reformed theology helps us to understand and apply all Scripture.
In Reformed exegesis and hermeneutics, context is king. The largest context is what the whole Bible teaches on the particular topic at hand. Since all Scripture is inspired or “breathed out” by God (2 Tim. 3:16), the Bible presents a coherent message on each point of its doctrine and ethics. Reformed theology helps us by providing a systematic presentation of biblical truth so that we can interpret Scripture with Scripture (“the analogy of Scripture”). The Westminster Confession of Faith says, “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”
—Dr. Joel Beeke, Reformed Systematic Theology
False teachers, heretics, as well as the generally confused, like to take a verse, often an obscure verse, and use it to build a pet doctrine. Here is an extreme example: In I Corinthians 15:29, Paul asks, Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? Taking this verse out of context and disregarding what the rest of Scripture says about both baptism and the dead, the Mormons teach that if their members are baptized for a dead ancestor it will advance them toward eternal bliss.
We can do this in a less egregious way by misapplying a verse. For example: Revelation 5:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” These are the words of Christ to the church at Laodicea, believers, yet many misuse it as an invitation to the lost to open the door of their heart to a patiently waiting but impotent Christ.
Scripture does not contradict itself, so the best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture. Therefore, read your Bible, study it thoroughly that you might grow in your understanding of God’s eternal word, which is Truth.
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