What does it mean to read the Bible on its own terms rather than through church tradition?

The question of how Christians should read the Bible has always been at the center of theological debate. Some emphasize reading Scripture primarily through church tradition, while others argue for reading the Bible on its own terms. To read the Bible on its own terms means to approach it as a collection of inspired books, each with its own context, purpose, and voice, and yet unified by God’s overarching revelation.

This article will explore what it means to engage Scripture directly, why context matters, how this approach relates to church tradition, and how the Gospel provides unity when the Bible is read as God’s word for his people today.

1. The Distinction Between Text and Tradition

Reading the Bible on its own terms requires recognizing the distinction between the biblical text itself and later church traditions. Traditions can help preserve and clarify interpretation, but they can also obscure or override the original meaning.

Jesus himself critiqued traditions that distorted God’s word: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8). To read the Bible faithfully is to allow Scripture to speak with its own authority rather than being controlled by inherited interpretations.

2. The Importance of Historical Context

The first step in reading the Bible on its own terms is to recover the historical and cultural context of its writings. When Paul urged believers in Corinth to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), he was speaking into a city filled with temples and pagan feasts. Understanding that context sharpens the force of his command.

Similarly, Jesus’ parables take on new depth when read within first-century Palestinian life. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37) is not merely a moral tale but a challenge to deeply ingrained hostilities. Historical context ensures we hear the Bible as it was first heard.

3. The Canonical Shape of Scripture

While each book has its own context, the Bible must also be read as a whole. The canon unites the Old and New Testaments into one story of God’s redemptive work. Jesus himself modeled this canonical reading when he explained “in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

Reading the Bible on its own terms involves respecting both the individuality of its books and their placement within the canon. Each part contributes to the whole, and the whole provides the framework for each part.

4. The Transformative Power of Narrative

The Bible’s message often comes through narrative, which resists reduction to abstract formulas. Stories like the Exodus or the ministry of Jesus shape faith by immersing readers in God’s acts of redemption. These narratives offer what some call an alternative “way-to-put-the-world-together.”

For example, Israel’s story of liberation from Egypt (Exodus 14) is not only history but also a paradigm of God’s saving power, echoed in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Reading the Bible on its own terms means allowing these narratives to reframe how we see the world.

5. The Two-Phase Process of Interpretation

To engage Scripture directly requires a two-phase process. First, interpreters must determine the original meaning of the passage—its language, setting, and purpose. Second, they must discern the enduring principles that apply today.

Paul’s teaching on head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11, for example, reflected cultural norms of honor and shame in Corinth. The underlying principle is one of order, respect, and recognition of God’s design in creation. To read on the Bible’s terms is to distinguish between culture-bound details and timeless truths.

6. The Challenge of Ecclesial Tradition

While reading on the Bible’s own terms resists the control of tradition, it does not reject the church altogether. Interpretation belongs within the life of God’s people. The creeds, councils, and teachers of the church provide wisdom and guardrails, but they must always remain accountable to Scripture.

Paul urged the Thessalonians to “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This shows that tradition has a role, but only insofar as it faithfully transmits apostolic teaching. Reading on the Bible’s terms means testing all traditions by the word of God.

7. The Role of the Gospel as Interpretive Center

The unifying principle in reading Scripture is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of the Bible, when read on its own terms, ultimately points to him. Jesus said, “It is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).

This means that reading the Bible faithfully is not simply a matter of historical reconstruction but of recognizing the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ. The Gospel provides both continuity with the Bible’s original meaning and relevance for its application today.

8. The Call to Faithful Hearing

Finally, reading on the Bible’s own terms requires more than study; it requires obedience. James reminds believers to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Scripture is not only to be understood but to be lived.

This faithful hearing means allowing the Bible to challenge cultural assumptions, personal preferences, and even church traditions. It means submitting to God’s voice as it comes through Scripture, trusting that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Conclusion

To read the Bible on its own terms rather than through church tradition is to recognize its unique authority, respect its historical and canonical contexts, embrace its narratives, and seek its transformative power. While tradition has a role in guiding interpretation, Scripture alone stands as God’s word.

This approach requires humility, faith, and attentiveness to the Gospel of Christ, which unites the diverse voices of Scripture into a single witness. By hearing the Bible on its own terms, the church can be continually renewed in its faith and obedience to the living God.