How we view the bounds that Scripture places upon collective Christian behavior will determine what we do as a church. If we believe that our conduct is not restricted to only those things revealed in Scripture, we will use wide latitude in deciding congregational activities.

If instead, we understand the Scriptures to set limits for what the church is and does by the things written within its pages, to go beyond these bounds will be considered presumptuous, divisive, and an act of rebellion against Divine authority.

Are We Bound by the Silence of Scripture?

There are a few powerful examples in Scripture which demonstrate that the answer must be yes:

1. Noah. God gave Noah the instruction to build the ark out of a wood called “gopherwood” (Gen. 6:14). We no longer know what type of wood was then known by that name, but it is clear that it wasn’t necessary for God to list all the types of wood Noah could not use. His instruction regarding His will, and His silence regarding any alternatives restricted Noah from using any substitutes.

2. Moses. To give water to the children of Israel God told Moses to “speak to the rock before their eyes and it shall yield its water” (Num. 20:8). Moses rebelled against God and struck the rock instead. Because of this presumptuous act Moses was not allowed to enter Caanan. On another occasion, Moses had been commanded to strike the rock for water (Exod. 17:6), but Moses was restricted from doing it on this occasion (even though God didn’t say “don’t strike the rock”). God’s instruction regarding His will, set His expectations for Moses’ behavior. His silence restricted Moses’ behavior even though a different type of action had been allowed on a different occasion.

3. Nadab and Abihu. These two priests and sons of Aaron were said to have offered incense “using profane fire before the Lord which He had not commanded them” (Lev. 10:1). Because of this, fire came down from heaven and killed them (Lev. 10:2). In this case we are not told what type of fire they had been commanded to use, or what caused another type to be considered “profane.” We can assume, however, that they had been instructed regarding what they were supposed to do, because acting as they did was doing what “He had not commanded them.” The commands He gave set the bounds on their behavior, and restricted them concerning matters on which He was silent.

Each of these examples make it clear that the silence of God does not grant liberty to act as we choose. When God has given instruction, man is obligated to restrict his actions to the behavior God has commanded and is restricted from acting in areas where God is silent. This principle of biblical interpretation is confirmed by the fact that inspired writers make arguments from the silence of Old Testament Scriptures:

1. The Hebrew Writer. To prove Christ’s superiority to the angels, the Hebrew writer quotes Psalm 110:1 in asking, “To which of the angels has He ever said ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’?” (Heb. 1:13). This argument is an appeal to the instructive force of the silence of God. God declared to the Christ, “sit at my right hand,” inferring an exalted status. He had not, however, said this to angels. In other words, the fact that God was silent leads the writer to infer that angels have not been granted the same exalted status Jesus was said to attain. The silence of God instructs!

2. Paul. To show a very subtle promise concerning Christ in prophecy, Paul (appealing to the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:7) points out in Galatians 3:16, “He does not say ‘And to seeds’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed’ who is Christ.” This is a very precise argument appealing to the use of the noun “Seed” in the singlar of the Hebrew text, rather than the plural. Many modern translations miss this point in translating Genesis 12:7 “descendants” (NKJV, NASB) rather than literally “Seed” (KJV, ASV). Paul argues that since God said “seed” (singular) it must mean that the Holy Spirit had in mind one specific person who would be the “Seed” of Abraham – Jesus Christ. He appeals to the silence of Scripture to support this in pointing out what God did not say. He did not say “seeds.”

These examples show that it is consistent with the language and intent of Scripture to interpret it considering not only those things that are stated directly, but also by taking into consideration where Scripture (and thus God) is silent in order to draw conclusions or limit the scope of our behavior.

Where God Has Spoken

Critics of this approach to biblcal interpretation often misunderstand it to restrict everything, even in areas that God has never addressed. “Where has God said a church can have a drinking fountain?” someone might ask. Or, “the Bible doesn’t say you can use a PowerPoint!” someone else might charge mockingly. Certainly if Christians took an approach to biblical interpretation which argued that the silence of Scripture restricted everything that the Bible has never addressed the degree to which human life would be restricted would border on the absurd. Things like automobiles, airplanes, zippers, computers, toothbrushes, microwaves ovens, deodorant, or even many jobs that Christians work in the modern world are never addressed in Scripture.

Perhaps some of the source of this misunderstanding rests in the way we have defended a respect for the silence of Scripture. In the examples above, why were the actions of Noah, Moses, or Nadad and Abihu restricted by Divine silence? Because God had spoken about the things they were told to do. His silence was simply informative regarding the things about which He had given instruction. When God has not addressed something one must consider whether Scripture has given any revelation on the type of thing in question, on similar principles or behavior, or on attitudes involved in the matter under consideration before concluding that God’s silence is restrictive.

Generic Authority and Scriptural Silence

When God has spoken, there is often some variety in the specific nature of His instruction. When He commanded Noah to use “gopherwood” (Gen. 6:14), He necessarily excluded all other types of wood. If He had simply commanded Him to use “wood” Noah would have been generically authorized to use the wood of his choice. Respect for the silence of Scripture does not mean that we must establish specific authority for things that have been generically authorized. Many commands in Scripture grant generic authority to obey those commands in a variety of different ways. For example, Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). This is a very general command. Did Jesus give us a lesson plan outlining what subjects to address each class period? No. Did Jesus break down how to teach those of different ages or levels of spiritual maturity? No. Did Jesus provide charts, maps, outlines, or other things often used in teaching? No. By generically commanding His disciples to teach He authorized the use of different expedients to carry out this command. The use of a PowerPoint presentation is simply one type of expedient to carry out the command to teach.

Another example might concern the command to assemble. The Holy Spirit commands Christians not to forsake assembling together (Heb. 10:25). This too is a very general command. Nothing is said about where to assemble, how to secure a place to assemble, whether it can be permanent or movable. Scripture offers examples of people meeting in homes, the temple, schools, and synagogues, which grants wide latitude in how a local congregation might carry out this command. When human beings assemble together, are there some elements that are needed to accommodate human needs? Yes. The human body must relieve its waste. Hydration is needed to maintain proper health. While it might be accurate to say that Scripture is silent about a church having a restroom, a drinking fountain, or even air to breathe (for that matter), the generic command to assemble necessarily authorizes what is necessary to carry out that command.

Conclusion

The supreme authority that belongs to the Lord makes it absolutely essential that those who seek to please Him view Scripture as that which sets the bounds for their conduct. When it comes to questions of worship, church organization, or even church finances we must be careful not to “think beyond what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6). We would do well to remember the warning given to the Israelites. In order to “keep the commandment of the Lord your God” we must “not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything away anything from it” (Deut. 4:2).

kmpope@att.net, Amarillo, TX