When we speak about faithful biblical interpretation, we mean that Scripture is not only our authority, but the way we handle it is carefully governed by what God has actually said, not what we would prefer Him to say.
We read the Bible in its context
We pay attention to the original setting, the author’s intent, the audience, and the flow of the passage. We do not lift verses out of context to support ideas we already hold.
We take the text at the level it presents itself
Narrative is read as narrative, poetry as poetry, prophecy as prophecy. We do not flatten everything into the same kind of language or force hidden meanings where the text is speaking plainly.
We follow the argument of the passage
Rather than jumping quickly to application, we ask, “What is this text actually saying?” We trace its logic, its emphasis, and its purpose before asking how it applies today.
We interpret Scripture with Scripture
Clear passages help us understand more difficult ones. We aim for a coherent reading of the whole Bible, recognising that it tells one unified story centred on Christ.
We are shaped by the original languages
Where possible, we work from the Hebrew and Greek text to understand key words, structure, and emphasis. This guards against relying too heavily on one translation or surface-level reading.
We aim for Christ-centred understanding
All of Scripture ultimately points to and finds its fulfilment in Christ. We read individual passages in light of the whole redemptive story, without forcing connections that are not there.
We distinguish meaning from application
A text has a fixed meaning rooted in what God intended to communicate. Applications may vary across situations, but they must flow from that meaning, not replace it.
We let the Bible confront us
We do not approach Scripture looking for confirmation of our preferences. We expect to be corrected, challenged, and shaped by it, even when that is uncomfortable.