A fundamental principle of biblical interpretation in reformed/evangelical faith, stating that "all Scripture is in agreement and will not contradict itself." The principle is sometimes explained more simplistically as "Scripture is its own interpreter." This priciple, and its implications, may be reformulated in the following premises and conclusion:
1. all Scriptures are harmoniously united in what they have to say about God and faith,
2. there is no essential contradiction between what one part of Scriptures say with another,
3. therefore, every interpretation proposed for any passage must be compared with what other passages say,
4. therefore, any interpretation that contradicts what any other passage says, or what Scriptures proclaim as a whole, cannot be correct,
5. therefore, in a case where several different interpretation of a passage are equally plausible, that which contradicts what any other passage of Scriptures say must be ruled out.
All these put together means that what is obscure in Scriptures must be understood in the light of what is clear.
As a specific example of the application of the analogy of faith is that what one thinks about the highly symbolic visions and prophecies of a book like Daniel or Revelation can be tested by and cannot be taken to be of greater significance than what is more clearly taught, e.g., by Jesus in the gospels or by Paul in his epistles.
In Roman Catholic literature, the analogy of faith takes on a slightly different nuance; what is unclear in Scriptures is to be understood not only in the light of what is clear in other portions of Scriptures but also in the traditions of the church.
Further Reading & Resources:
Daniel Fuller, "Biblical Theology and the Analogy of Faith," International Journal of Frontier Missions 14.2 (1997): 65-74. Biblical Studies, UK. Pdf N
Robert L. Thomas, "A Hermeneutical Ambiguity of Eschatology: The Analogy of Faith," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 23/1 (1980): 45-53. Biblical Studies, UK. Pdf N
Henri Blocher, "The 'Analogy of Faith' in the Study of Scripture," Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology 5.1 (1987): 17-38. Biblical Studies, UK. Pdf N
Daniel A. Tappeiner, "Hermeneutics, the Analogy of Faith and New Testment Sacramental Realism," Evangel Quarterly (1977): 40-52. Biblical Studies, UK. Pdf N
Walter C. Kaiser, "Hermeneutics and The Theological Task," Trinity Journal 12.1 (1991): 3-14. Biblical Studies, UK. Pdf N
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