Calvin’s interpretation of the clarity of Scripture

In working out his interpretation of the clarity of Scripture, Calvin used several hermeneutical principles:

In working out his interpretation of the clarity of Scripture, Calvin used several hermeneutical principles:

The interpreter must be a believer, and must strive to grow in such qualities as humble wisdom, attentive listening, sound judgment, reverential piety, obedient teachableness, and mature perseverance.¹
The interpreter must be theologically informed and Christologically oriented, for the more one understands doctrine, loves Christ, and searches the Scripture, the more clear Scripture, generally speaking, will become.²
The interpreter must seek to grasp the author’s intent of the passage in terms of the literal rather than a fanciful allegorical meaning.³
The interpreter must engage in serious word studies, which includes a consideration of its various contexts, such as designated recipients, historical circumstances, and syntagmatic relationships.⁴
The interpreter must allow clearer passages of Scripture to illumine those that are less clear.⁵
The interpreter should focus on showing the simple meaning of the text that naturally presses itself out of the text, and, as much as possible, should avoid complex interpretations that “stretch the truth” of the text.⁶
The interpreter should lean on the teaching ministry of the church and should ask often for the divine inward guidance of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the mind and applies Scripture to the heart.⁷ Private interpretation must be balanced “by a recognition that no Christian is an island but is part of the body of Christ.”⁸

Puritan Reformed Journal – JUNE 2015
Volume 7 • Number 2
Excerpt from
The Perspicuity of Scripture
By Joel Beeke