When we have a difficulty or question about Scripture what should we do? We can ask: what does the Scripture tell us to do (think, act, etc.), what do we want to do (think, act, etc.), and how are the two different? Then we can ask: is there an honest way to resolve the differences? If there is no honest resolution, what are we gong to change; our ways, or the meaning of the Scripture? This sort of question can come about when we notice the differences between the culture of Biblical times and our present time.
It is not that we should ignore the cultural setting in which God sets forth his principles, but if God has set forth a principle in one culture, and the principle was true (by definition God’s principles are always true) then it will be true in any other culture or time. The application of the principle may take different forms between cultures.
We cannot change the principle. If we do we are saying God wrote an irrelevant book: we are saying sections of it have gone out of date and have lost their meaning. Therefore we are effectively saying we can determine on our own, and without God’s input, what is the best way for us to act. If we throw out part of God’s word, what other parts can we throw out? Which of God’s principles can we selectively disregard?
We do not throw out any part of Scripture. We ask God for wisdom to know how his principles apply in our times.
