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1Q How do we differentiate in the Scriptures between Paul's own views that come from his own personal background for the particular circumstances and culture of the day, and thus not applicable to everyone universally at all times and circumstances, and those coming from Paul but under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, thus applicable in principles for everyone in all circumstances? For eg. you mentioned that Paul in 1 Cor 7:9 is colored by his own limited views on marriage because of his singleness and that he seems to be pro-celibacy, but isn't what he's writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? So if his own background affects his writing being colored, how is he also at the same time under the inspiration of the Spirit, Who would not be pro-celibacy for all men at all circumstances?
All the authors in the Bible are coloured by their own experiences and background but the Bible is still the Word of God. The most important thing in Bible interpretation is biblical context. Thus when Paul speak about head covering for women, we know that it was not a commandment to all women or when Jesus spoke about it better to cut of the hand or pull out the eye than to sin, we know that it was only figurative. God uses all types of persons to contribute to the volume of the Scriptures so that everyone with varying backgrounds can find what he or she needs. Thus for those called to a celibate life, they would find Paul's context encouraging and comforting. As always, it is the principles and the understanding/revelation of God that we seek for in each author - and not just to duplicate their customs and culture from their own generation. Where the Bible speaks about doctrine or precepts - it is culturally independent and universal; where the Bible speaks about methodology or practical applications, then we need to look for the context and principles behind the method.
2Q If Paul's views on marriage is a bit colored by his own celibacy background, how can we build sound marriage principles from Paul's instruction in the NT as he has written quite a portion concerning marriage? In other words, how can we know which parts to take as applicable and not colored, and which parts to leave out as Paul's own personal biased views?
The principles remain unbiased. It is only the method of application that is culturally and contextually based. Revelation is a progressive process. Even in the New Testament, the early disciples have to struggle to remove the Jewish customs and culture from the real gist of principles that they could apply to the Gentiles (Acts 15). In Paul's time, the Jewish Christians struggle to understand the broadness of the Pauline revelation of Christ but the Gentiles (with no Jewish background or culture roadblocks) embraced it enthusiastically. Remember that it was very hard for the Jewish apostles (and Paul himself I imagine) to eat Gentile food but today modern Christianity has wrestle with its position on wine, dressing, test tube babies, etc. This process will continue until Christ comes. It takes the continual work of the Holy Spirit to sift out the revelation from the background cultures of each dispensation.
3Q I guess my root question is, I understand how cultures, customs, methods can be different than the Bible ones, for it's the principles behind that are important, but how can one write Scriptures affected by his own biased views (eg. Paul's being pro-celibacy on marriage) when his views do not have anything to do with customs or methods? In short, how can Paul write colored writings when under the guidance of the Spirit? Or if they are not Spirit-inspired and biased, shouldn't these views not be in the Bible otherwise people may think we're not taking in all parts of the Bible that do not have much to do with customs or cultures?
We all are subconsciously reading through our cultural backgrounds. Even the use of the English language right now is a cultural bias. God will always work through our culture as to separate us from our culture is impossible - for we are all human born with our inbred cultural pre-dispositions. Culture in itself is not bad as it is a set of social customs and rules which make a society functional - it is only when we are not bold enough to see beyond it that hinders and limits us. Wisdom and knowledge can help us live about the bias. For example, we know that the earth goes round the sun even though our eyes tell us differently; and by thinking and accepting that as a fact beyond our experience helps us to see ourselves in a different light without actually having the experience of feeling the earth move. Wisdom and knowledge helps us to accept the fact when they are firmly established by Scriptures and science. All the Bible is relevant, even the cultural context ones as we can learn of 'how' they apply the principles to the local context. www.eaglevision.com.my
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