7 Observations on Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Trip to Princeton (Part 2)

In our previous post, we introduced the first of seven observations Archibald Alexander made on “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” The second observation is, “It is necessary to divide the truth not only from error, but from philosophy, and mere human opinions and speculations.”

Philosophy

In this warning, Alexander is warning against giving in to too much philosophical speculation. There is nothing wrong with metaphysics. In fact, in another excellent book, Craig Carter’s Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition, Carter makes a superb argument that all engage in metaphysical reasoning, it is just a matter of what kind of metaphysics one is using.

Alexander seems to be warning against the empty, merely speculative aspects of metaphysics, devoid of any connection to the Word of God. He writes, “Thus, it often happens, that a sermon contains very little Scripture truth. After the text is uttered, the preacher has done with the Bible, and the hearers are fed, or rather starved, by some abstruse discussion of a subject, not treated of in the word of God; or which there is taken for granted as a thing which requires no discussion, or which is above the human intellect” (124).

Mere human opinions and speculations

Here Alexander is warning against imposing the preacher’s views into the text. He writes, “They are forever connecting with the doctrines of God’s word, their own wire-drawn and uncertain speculations” (124).

One may immediately think of the Pharisees in the earthly days of Christ (cf. Mark 7:13). The Pharisees added their own views to the traditions given in the sacred Scriptures. However, this reminder is needful today.

Many preachers will try to defend their view using Scripture, rather than developing their views from Scripture and then presenting them. In the first, preachers abuse the Word by placing themselves in authority over the Word of God. They do not study it and then interpret it. They find words that are connected with their own views and take them out of context.

In the second, the preacher submits to the Word of God. He submits his views to the truths of Scripture. He studies intently what the Word says and what it means, and after this develops his view, constantly returning it to the Word to measure it against the perfect standard of truth.

Implementing observation 2

How can the preacher avoid this too errors? First, gain a proper view of philosophy and metaphysics. Here Carter is most helpful, “Theology is the study of God and all things in relation to God. Metaphysics is theological when it allows biblical revelation to determine the true ontological nature of reality as it contemplates the biblical teaching on God and all things in relation to God.” (Carter, Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition, 64)

Carter notes that all people engage in metaphysics, even if they do not know the word nor what it means. Preachers who herald the glorious promises of the Word of God should be biblical philosophers.

Second, preachers should be very careful when inserting their own views into their preaching and teaching. There are few times indeed when the preacher should share “his thoughts.” When it is appropriate to do so, the preacher should make it abundantly clear that what he is saying is truly his own views and not biblical.

By following Alexander’s words, preachers can “rightly divide the Word of truth.”