Principles of Bible Interpretation

#1 - No single text of the Bible can contradict the general truth of the Bible.

#2 - Verses that are difficult to understand, must be interpreted in the light of those verses more easily understood.

What is the general truth of the Bible?

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• God is one.
• Alone in creation. 
• There is no other deity besides Him.

10,000 Bible texts
implicitly or explicitly declare the absolute, solitary Oneness of God

Implicit texts

• Use singular pronouns, verbs, and adjectives
• Genesis 1:27 (his, he)
• 1 Kings 11:33 (me, my)
• Ezekiel 13:8 (I)

Explicit Texts

• Clearly state that God is One
• Deuteronomy 6:4
• Job 9:8
• Isaiah 44:6
• Isaiah 44:24

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• Malachi 2:10
• Mark 12:28-31
• 1 Timothy 2:5
• James 2:19

Less than 10 verses are misunderstood

• Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7 (us)
• Isaiah 6:8 (us)
• Matthew 28:19
• 2 Corinthians 13:14
• 1 John 5:7

Does the Bible contradict itself?

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Does the phrase, "Let us make man in our image,"(Gen. 1:26) indicate plurality of persons involved in creation?

Is the creator an "us" in a plural sense?

• Not according to Jesus: Matthew 19:4(He)
• Not according to John: Revelations 4:11(Thou)
• Not according to Paul: Colossians 3:10(Him)
• Not according to Peter: 1 Peter 4:19(him, creator)
• Not according to Isaiah: Isaiah 44:24(alone, by myself)

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• Not according to Job: Job 10:8(thine)
• Not according to Solomon: Proverbs 8:26(he, himself)
• Not according to Malachi: Malachi 2:10(one God)
• Not according to early Christians: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Elohim

• This word is considered to be a plural form
• This causes many to see a plurality of persons
• Psalms 45:6, 7 (Look up "God")
• Psalm 82:6 (Look up "gods")

Knapp, Prof. from mid 19th century Theology, pg 93: The application of this plural name to a singular subject may be explained from an idiom of the ancient oriental and some other languages, by which anything great or eminent was expressed in plural number.

Theophilus, theologian of the mid 19th century: This language is understood to express determination, without supposing that he also intended to teach us thereby the mode of his existence.

Theophilus, theologian of the mid 19th century: for the express purpose of being understood-- not for the purpose of casting a mist before our eyes so that we cannot see what he means.

Not according to Jesus who used the plural form to refer to himself: John 3:11 (we) - Jesus and Nicodemus were alone

It's clear. The Bible doesn't contradict itself. There is only One God and His name is Jesus.