Unity or Division: Two Opposing Ways To Interpret The Bible

There are two opposing main philosophies of interpreting the Bible:

Unity

OR

Division

Unity says that different words in the Bible that are similar are identical. This philosophy is also called Inductive Logic or Covenantalism/Covenant Theology as a system. This is favors a figurative and subjective view of the Bible.

Division says different words in the Bible that are similar are distinct. This philosophy is also called Deductive Logic or Dispensationalism as a system. This favors a literalist and objective view of the Bible.

To further understand the differences, let's look how someone using Unity or Division interprets the same passage.

Luke 1

46 And Mary said, My SOUL doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my SPIRIT hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Here we have to words: SOUL and SPIRIT, that are different but seemingly similar.

The Unity interpreter will assume since soul and spirit are doing similar things in this passage, and since both soul and spirit are both immaterial, apparently, both are identical. In other words, the Unity interpreter will combine soul and spirit into one thing and have the words as synonyms for each other.

The Division interpreter on the other hand, will be more critical. Because similar words are different are distinct, he concludes that since the Bible uses different words, no mater how similar, they are separate and distinct. And technically, magnifying and rejoicing are two different things, too. In other words, soul and spirit are separate and distinct and not the same, even though they are closely related. (We know the Division interpreter is correct here because of 1 Thess. 5:23 and Heb. 4:12)

Okay, so why is this important? Because how you read your Bible will determine what you believe. The list of the following word collections are very important theologically, whether they are distinct or not:

Soul vs Spirit

Mercy vs Grace

Israel vs Church (and related words such as Elect and Sheep)

Kingdom of God vs Kingdom of Heaven

the different Gospels (Gospel of the Kingdom, Paul's Gospel, the Eternal Gospel, etc.)

the different Baptisms (John's Baptism, Baptism of Fire, Baptism of the Spirit, etc.)

Book of Life vs Lamb's Book of Life

Things That *Sound* Like Salvation (adoption, creating a new heart, repentance, etc.)

Things That *Sound* Like A Loss of Salvation (apostasy, falling away, backsliding, etc.)

Etc.

Calvinists, for example, heavily use Unity interpretation on Romans 9 by equating Israel to the Church and then applying the whole chapter to salvation, when the words salvation and the church and related words do not even appear in the passage at all. A Division reading takes the passage at face value of it speaking about the nation of Israel. Yes, even the verses where it says there is no Jew or Gentile in Christ have a different Unity and Division interpretations (A Unity would think that passage wipes away all identity, Division only limits the identity changed as salvation identity, because, for example, the same passage also mentions neither male nor female and people who become saved do not become a third gender).

Those who believe in loss of salvation for example take everything bad in the Bible that sounds like punishment and make it mean a loss of salvation. For example, verses on backsliding is taken to meant sliding into hell by those who believe in loss of salvation. That is a Unity interpretation.

Now, a Division interpretation does not discount figurative language in the Bible. For example, when the Bible uses the words "like" or "as", to literally interpret those signal words means the figurative language is in the literal grammar.

So which is correct? Well, if it isn't obvious, it's the Division interpretation.

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.