Deciphering Scripture

I've been reading Milgrom (1) lately and his description of minimal and maximal interpretations of scripture reminded me of the Lutheran and Reformed attitudes towards adiaphora. The minimalist position posits only general rules were laid down. The maximalist position delves into the specifics of the original language. Lutherans position on adiaphora is that what is not specifically forbidden is permitted. The Reformed churches position on adiaphora is what is not specifically permitted is forbidden.

Any who know of the Lutheran and Reformed churches will realize that there are differences between the two branches of faith beyond adiaphora and that I have vastly over-simplified the position of both. But it does point to a difference in attitude. Do we look for reasons to close down and truncate differences? Do we look for ways to open up and expand differences. There is no right or wrong precisely in either direction. There is wrong if we take either position to extremes. If we are swayed by every wind, then we ignore the workings of the Holy Spirit as equally as if we are never swayed by a breath of change.





Jacob Milgrom, Leviticus (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2004), Introduction.