Determining which parts of the Bible apply to Christians today is an important question. With 66 books written over thousands of years by dozens of authors in several languages and cultures, the Bible can seem daunting to navigate. Thankfully, God has not left us without guidance on this matter.
Here are several principles to keep in mind when seeking to understand and apply the Bible:
1. Recognize the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages
Some passages in the Bible simply describe what happened without necessarily prescribing how we should live today. For example, Genesis contains genealogies and stories describing people’s actions, but we should not assume we are required to live according to everything the patriarchs did. Just because the Bible reports that Jacob had two wives does not mean polygamy is acceptable for Christians.
Other passages clearly intend to prescribe moral standards for God’s people. God’s commands to love our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), care for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11), and worship only Him (Exodus 20:3) reflect His heart and still apply today.
In sum, we must carefully consider the genre and purpose of each passage to discern whether it is primarily descriptive or prescriptive.
2. Note the difference between cultural practices and timeless principles
Some instructions in the Bible reflect cultural practices that are not universally binding. For example, Paul’s directive for women to wear head coverings while praying or prophesying (1 Cor 11:5) had a specific meaning in first-century Corinth. While Paul appeals to timeless principles like gender roles to ground this practice, the practice itself does not appear to be a timeless requirement.
Other instructions embody timeless moral principles that transcend culture. God condemned incest, adultery, and idolatry throughout the Old Testament, and several New Testament passages reinforce the immorality of sexual sin (1 Cor 5-7). Paul explains that such behavior characterizes those who have turned from God and will not inherit His kingdom.
In summary, we should identify which instructions are tied to cultural practices versus those upholding moral principles that align with the rest of Scripture’s ethical teachings.
3. Recognize the overarching story of the Bible
The Bible tells a unified story spanning from creation to new creation. God establishes His righteous kingdom on earth in Eden, but humanity rebels, so God initiates a plan of redemption. Jesus then comes as the long-awaited Messiah-King to dwell among us and inaugurate God’s kingdom. But the kingdom has not yet arrived in its fullness. One day Christ will return to renew all things and defeat evil once and for all.
This overarching narrative provides crucial context for determining how various passages apply today. Instructions tied to a particular stage of biblical history may not carry the same force now. For example, specific sacrificial laws for Israel’s temple worship no longer apply because Christ’s superior sacrifice has fulfilled them.
In contrast, instructions aligning with the ethic of God’s kingdom transcend particular dispensations. Loving our neighbor sums up God’s unchanging moral law.
4. Appreciate the unity in diversity of biblical authors
God inspired dozens of biblical authors from different times, cultures, and genres. And yet their combined writings fit together remarkably well. While diversity exists, unity undergirds the multiplicity of voices.
At times, earlier revelation gets amended or specified by later revelation. For example, certain cleanliness laws and Sabbath restrictions get reevaluated in light of the gospel (Mark 7:19, Rom 14:5-6). Appreciating such fine-tuning over time helps us know what carries forward.
In other cases, later texts reinforce earlier texts. The Ten Commandments provide perhaps the clearest example, as multiple New Testament texts quote the commands as authoritative for Christians.
In summary, properly understanding diversity and unity in Scripture helps us discern which applications remain valid today.
5. Understand the new covenant changes some applications
While God’s moral standards remain constant across Scripture, some specific applications change with the arrival of the new covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice for sins and indwelling Spirit enable transformations unforeseen under the old covenant.
For example, food laws distinguishing between clean and unclean foods get set aside in light of Peter’s vision in Acts 10. The dividing wall between Jew and Gentile gets torn down as the gospel goes global. Laws pertaining to ritual purity and sacrifice no longer apply now that Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice once for all.
Of course, identifying new covenant modifications requires careful study. But we must allow for these in our application, just as the apostles modeled new covenant application under the Spirit’s guidance.
6. Glean wisdom from examples more than imitate behaviors
Many biblical characters set commendable examples of faith, perseverance, generosity, and leadership. But not all their behaviors exemplify righteousness. For example, we should admire David’s courage in facing Goliath but not his adultery and murder. And while the early church pooled property (Acts 4:32), this appears voluntary rather than prescribed.
In other words, we must exercise discernment when gleaning wisdom from examples versus treating every reported behavior as prescriptive. Commendation is not the same as prescription. Biblical examples inspire us to godliness without mandating we precisely imitate each action.
7. Let clearer passages interpret less clear ones
Due to its size and complexity, some parts of the Bible remain difficult to interpret and apply. When confronted with such passages, we observe a sound principle: let clearer texts shed light on less clear ones. More explicit passages should guide how we interpret ambiguous ones.
For example, some Old Testament texts appear to commend vengeance. But the overarching New Testament emphasis on grace, mercy, and forgiveness provides the interpretive lens. Jesus overtly prohibited personal retaliation and taught us to love enemies, clarifying any confusion left by isolated Old Testament texts.
In summary, where the Bible’s application seems unclear, we should give more weight to explicit passages conveying obvious implications for Christian living.
8. Consider the trajectory within Scripture on key themes
Tracing how major themes develop throughout Scripture can provide helpful insight into Christian application. For example, we discover a clear trajectory away from violence and toward peace. While the conquest of Canaan involved divinely authorized warfare, Jesus launched a very different kind of kingdom not advanced by swords but by spiritual transformation.
Likewise, Scripture increasingly elevates women. Jesus dignified women in unprecedented ways for His culture. The prominent role of women like Priscilla as leaders in the early church continues this trajectory. Passages about men leading in church and home must be considered within this wider framework.
Identifying redemptive movement on issues helps us discern which applications reflect Scripture’s spirit versus the letter.
9. Pay attention to repetition of key moral themes
Certain moral themes get emphasized frequently throughout Scripture: justice, mercy, faith, integrity, sexual purity, care for the vulnerable, and more. Repetition often signals significance. The “one another” passages prescribing how Christians should treat each other reflect core ethical values of the kingdom.
In contrast, obscure texts with unclear application perhaps should not have identical moral authority. Strange passages warrant viewing with added skepticism when they contradict the tenor of Scripture elsewhere.
In summary, ubiquitous biblical themes are vital. What Scripture adamantly affirms or prohibits again and again is especially binding.
10. Recognize different covenant eras without discounting either testament
The Bible contains different covenant eras—primeval, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and Messianic. Each has distinct features. Covenant theology helps us note continuity amidst discontinuity. Old Testament moral law still guides us unless set aside in the New Testament.
At the same time, radical discontinuity views must be avoided. The New Testament still upholds core values like justice, sexual purity, and worship of only God. While ceremonies and civil laws for Israel do not carry forward today, the Old Testament remains valuable. Paul said all Scripture is “profitable” for equipping God’s people (2 Tim 3:16).
In conclusion, the whole Bible is our guide, with due consideration of changed applications between covenant eras.
11. Evaluate diverse viewpoints while seeking unity
Sincere Christians understand some Bible passages differently. Whether over charismatic gifts, baptism, eschatology, or many other issues, variations exist. This reality requires humility, study, and openness to change.
Yet diversity of opinion on some matters should not undermine overall unity among believers. Just as dynamic apostles (Peter and Paul) found unity, so must we. Sincerely following biblical authority, guided by the Spirit, should produce love and patience despite disagreement.
Our shared new identity in Christ transcends disputed interpretations about debatable matters. Loving one another remains essential (1 Cor 13:2).
12. Depend on the Spirit’s illumination
No checklist or interpretive strategy can replace depending on the Holy Spirit for wisdom to apply God’s Word. The Bible originated from Spirit-inspired authors. So we must prayerfully rely on the Spirit’s aid to understand and practice its instructions rightly (1 Cor 2:14).
The Spirit convicts, guides, empowers, and transforms. Scripture comes alive to transform as the Spirit enlightens hearts to receive God’s Word on God’s terms.
Only by the Spirit’s work can the ancient text become a living word shaping our beliefs, values, and practices today. Our application remains dependent on Spirit-enabled insight.
In conclusion, wise application of the Bible’s instructions requires Spirit-directed sensitivity to these principles: understand the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages, identify timeless moral principles that transcend culture, interpret through the lens of biblical theology, appreciate diversity and unity of biblical authors, allow for changed applications anticipated in the new covenant, glean wisdom from examples more than imitate every behavior, let unambiguous passages clarify ambiguous ones, trace redemptive movement on key themes, emphasize moral instructions repeated often, recognize the diversity and continuity of biblical covenants, graciously discuss disagreements while seeking unity, and above all, rely on the Holy Spirit’s illumination to rightly understand God’s Word.
The Bible brims with truth and life-changing power. But it requires skillful interpretation and application. These guidelines can help modern readers discern which instructions apply to their lives today. Scripture is not just an ancient book. Through the Spirit, it lives as God’s Word guiding and shaping His people in each generation towards faith and wisdom.