When we speak of Biblical coherence we mean Biblical synthesis or what is called the synthetic principle. What this means is that the Bible is to be understood as a library of 66 books that collected together, become one book. It also means that the “Scripture is to be its own interpreter” and as such the “Scripture is to be compared with Scripture in order to discover its accurate and full meaning.”[1] What is meant by that is that the Bible does not contradict itself but rather through progressive revelation establishes, and makes clear through the testimony of the whole, Biblical truth.
Ravi Zacharias, at a university conference a number of years ago, while he was speaking, had a woman stand up and shout out, “Whoever told you that the world needs to be coherent? Where did you get this idea that life had to be coherent? “ In a rather humorous manner, Ravi replied, “Ma’am I’ll be very happy to answer your question, I just have one question for you. Do you want my answer to be coherent or incoherent?”
While it is important that we be understandable and coherent when we share the Gospel or any other Biblical truth, Biblical coherence is not up to us but up to Him who inspired the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit ( 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). To say that the Bible contradicts itself and not coherent is to say the God, who inspired the Bible, is not coherent or logical.
The problem for us is that, because of the fall, we are fallible in our coherent understanding of the Bible. This not the fault of the Scriptures but our own fallen condition and limited knowledge and in many cases our own bias.
Another problem we may encounter is that as we may do our best to rightly exegete the Scriptures using sound hermeneutical methods, we then forget to take into consideration the whole or synthesis of the Bible. So, we may be applying a “historical-grammatical interpretation” so as to understand the meaning of the text and then forget the broader view of the whole of the Scriptures.
Biblical coherence, synthesis, and unity reveal the broader theological implications while a localized exegesis of a passage reveals the temporal theme or message. Biblical coherence synthesizes the broader eternal truth to which the Bible speaks, and any local exegesis must be synthesized with the rest of the Scriptures in order for us to understand what God is saying in relation to the completed revelation. What we are talking about here is the exegetical context (the here and now of the passage) vs. canonical context (The broader teaching in which the present passage fits in the progress of revelation.).
So, when we come to the Scriptures we must first understand the broader theological teaching in which the present passage we are studying fits in the progress of revelation and its redemptive theme found in Christ. While there may be themes and lessons found in the immediate text there is also the over-riding cohesive theme of God’s redemptive plan.
Therefore, we must also be careful to draw theological conclusions not just from the text in question, but also in light of the full revelation and theological import of the Bible as a whole. This is where a sound grounding in systematic theology is important, as it is a summation, in a sense, of an understanding of the theological coherence of the Bible.
We must also remember, as I stated earlier, that the Scriptures interpret the Scriptures. This is called the analogy of the Scriptures. In simple terms, the Bible cross-references itself. There are supporting passages that confirm, explain, and bring greater clarity.
As we see this reality we then begin to see a systematic theological approach that helps us in understanding the coherent whole of the Bible and the incredible wonder of the mosaic of the Scriptures that reveal God’s redemptive plan and our Savior Jesus Christ. It is here we begin to comprehend the beauty of the mind of God in redemption from the Old Testament through the book of Revelation in the New Testament. We begin to understand and discover the complexity, the richness, the beauty, and the determined will of God from eternity past to eternity future to redeem a people for Himself that will worship and love Him. In its pages, the Bible reveals wonders that “eye has not seen nor ear heard” (1 Corinthians 2:9) to the joy of all who love Him and His revelation of Himself in the Bible.
-Michael Holtzinger
[1] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, General Editors, Biblical Doctrine, a Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Crossway, 2017, pg.26
Some Resources:
Understanding and Applying the Bible By J Robertson McQuilkin
The Strategic Grasp of the Bible By J. Sidlow Baxter
God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment – A Biblical Theology By James M. Hamilton Jr.