Indoor plumbing was introduced to the U.S. in the 1840s, but it didn’t become widely available until the 1880s. The idea of having a room inside your house for relieving yourself sounded unpleasant to many.
The Debate Inside the Church
This debate even reached the church. While some were open to the idea of indoor plumbing, others believed it was unholy and indecent to have a bathroom inside God’s house. They even used scripture, Deuteronomy 23:12-14, to argue their point: “Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself… Your camp must be holy.”
The Importance of Historical Context
Eventually, people began to read scripture more in its historical context. As a result of this deeper understanding, we no longer feel the need to follow these old rules for modern living. This is just one example of how a literal reading of scripture can sometimes lead to interpretations that may not serve us well.
Scripture and the Justification of Slavery
From the 1840s to the 1860s, Christians in the U.S., particularly in the South, used a literal interpretation of Ephesians 6:5-9 to justify slavery: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and trembling.” This interpretation was heavily debated. Over time, God’s spirit transformed society, and people eventually rejected this literal reading of scripture.
Questioning the Role of Women
Yet another example is the role of women. The Bible says, “Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is something they want to learn, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.”
The Harm of Literal Interpretation
For centuries, and even today, many have insisted these words cannot be changed. This has caused harm to the kingdom of God because many women, called and gifted by God to do His work, have been denied opportunities to lead due to a literal interpretation of scripture. These questions prompted Christians, especially in the United Methodist tradition, to dig deeper into scripture, exploring its historical context to better understand its meaning.
If we are to take these passages literally– then I would argue that the Bible also prohibits jogging! Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked run away when no one is chasing them.” The questions is… what are joggers running from?
The Dangers of Proof-Texting
This illustrates the danger of reading the Bible literally without critical thought. You can proof-text the Bible to make it say what you want, but that’s dangerous and can lead to bad theology, which hurts people.
Can You Trust the Bible?
The question is, can I trust the Bible? Throughout history, Christians have debated how to interpret specific passages of scripture. This gave rise to a new way of studying scripture, seeking to understand the spirit of the text, what was specific to ancient cultures, and what is universal for all.
Most Christians around the world agree that the Bible is the inspired word of God. From a Wesleyan perspective, John Wesley acknowledged the humanity of the biblical authors and emphasized the importance of interpreting scripture in its historical and cultural contexts.
The Transformative Power of Scripture
So, here’s the question: Is the Bible authoritative in your life? Does it truly mean something to you? Allowing the Bible to be an authority in your life isn’t just about quoting a few scriptures or memorizing texts; it’s about digging deep and understanding the culture and context of these verses, weighing our interpretations against the heart of God, and letting it speak to the depths of your being.
Good theology transforms you, making you more gracious, loving, and forgiving.
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