We all have influences in our lives from the time we are born. When I became old enough to examine scripture for myself I resolved to try to do so by dismissing all outside influences and allow the language of the text to formulate my theology. When we read scripture, we have an unfailing habit of trying to interpret the text. For some reason, we feel that this is the only way we can come to understand its meaning. The problem with interpretation is that it always starts with human reason being force onto the text rather than with the language of the test being allowed to entrain the mind. I am sure that you recognize the fact that the interpretation of any text is as varied as the number of people who read it. Interpretation is always the product of human intelligence operating on the test. Peter says that we do not have the right to approach scripture in this way, 2 Pet. 1:20.
Naturally, none of us like to think that our positions are a matter of bias. The truth is that everything we believe and accept as truth is a matter of bias. This is the simple truth of it. One can be biased toward truth or one can be biased toward error yet, no one willingly believes a lie if he knows it to a lie. This phenomenon is what is known in psychology as "privileged access." We all like to trust that what we hold as truth is indeed truth. I attempt to eliminate any bias as much as possible (Though I do not believe any of us will ever master this 100%) by examining the grammatical structure of any text. I am not interested in defending any particular doctrine. I am interested only in upholding the integrity of the text and at times that has meant that I have had to change my views on some things. I am not interested in who is right, I care only about WHAT is right.
