A Biblical Consistency Checklist for Testing Interpretation

Scripture must be allowed to interpret Scripture so that our interpretations remain contextually, progressively, and consistently intact throughout the whole of Scripture without contradiction. Likewise, our interpretations must fit the perfect nature of God—both what He is in His natural attributes and who He is in His perfect character.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive checklist for biblical interpretation, but rather a set of basic principles by which an interpretation may be tested for biblical consistency.

How to use this checklist: Answer every statement with TRUE or FALSE. TRUE means the interpretation passes that test. FALSE means the interpretation is either incomplete or completely wrong and must be reexamined before it can be accepted as a sound interpretation of Scripture.
Answered: 0 / 21
TRUE: 0
FALSE: 0
Unanswered: 21
IN PROGRESS

Definition, Usage, and Language

1.The interpretation conforms to the consistent and contextual grammatical usage and meanings supported by the original Hebrew or Greek in the passage.
2.The interpretation uses important terms consistently rather than changing their meaning as the argument develops.
3.The interpretation understands words, expressions, and idioms according to their biblical and historical usage rather than imposing modern meanings upon them.

Context

4.The interpretation is consistent with the immediate context and with the argument and purpose being developed throughout the chapter and book.
5.The interpretation adequately accounts for the subject, purpose, circumstances, manner, and means supplied by the context where they are relevant.
6.The interpretation properly accounts for literary genre and the use of literal, figurative, symbolic, or hyperbolic language.
7.The interpretation properly accounts for conditions, contrasts, causes, conclusions, qualifications, commands, invitations, promises, warnings, and the distinction between description and prescription, allowing them to retain their intended meaning.

Historical and Authorial Setting

8.The interpretation adequately accounts for the biblical author's perspective and purpose, the understanding of the original audience, and relevant historical and cultural circumstances.

Logic, Evidence, and Inference

Principle: Biblical interpretation is not without logical reasoning and coherency. An interpretation must make coherent sense, its conclusions must reasonably follow from the evidence presented, and it must not require logical contradiction—described as “mystery”—in order to remain intact or discourage questioning.
9.The interpretation is logically coherent, and its conclusions reasonably follow from the biblical evidence presented.
10.The interpretation does not claim more than its biblical premises and evidence reasonably establish.
11.Where a conclusion depends upon inference, the inference reasonably follows from established biblical premises and is not presented with greater certainty than the evidence warrants.

Scripture Interpreting Scripture

12.The interpretation adequately accounts for other passages that appear to support, challenge, or contradict it.
13.The interpretation harmonizes Scripture as a whole while properly allowing for progressive revelation.

God's Natural Attributes

14.The interpretation accounts for all of God's natural attributes without diminishing, contradicting, or creating disharmony between them.

God's Perfect and Good Character

15.The interpretation accounts for God's perfect and good character without diminishing, denying, contradicting, or bringing into question any aspect of His character.

God's Promises

16.The interpretation does not diminish, deny, or ignore any of God's promises relevant to the interpretation.

Human Responsibility, Sin, and Judgment

17.The interpretation preserves genuine human responsibility for sin and is consistent with Scripture's teaching concerning guilt, accountability, and God's justice in judgment.

Grace, Gospel, and Salvation

18.Where the interpretation concerns salvation, it adequately accounts for God's grace, Christ's saving work, the Gospel, and Salvation = Faith in Christ + Nothing.

Final Consistency Tests

19.The interpretation can ultimately be demonstrated from Scripture and fits contextually and progressively throughout Scripture without exception or logical contradiction.
20.The foundation of the interpretation does not rely upon ambiguity—such as ambiguous passages or theological or philosophical frameworks—mystery, or overarching inferences that cannot themselves be clearly established from Scripture.
21.The interpretation has allowed Scripture to interpret Scripture so that the interpretation fits contextually, coherently, consistently, and progressively intact throughout all of Scripture without contradiction. Likewise, the interpretation fits without contradiction or disharmony with God's perfection in His natural attributes and character. There is no exception to this rule.

Final Result

CHECKLIST IN PROGRESS. Answer every question. A single FALSE means the interpretation has not passed.

No statements are currently marked FALSE.