The Polish philosopher Leszek Kolakowski set forth the Law of the Infinite Cornucopia, which notes that no shortage exists of reasons to bolster whatever theory anyone wants to believe.[1] I suggest a theological version that I will call the Law of Infinite Hermeneutical Adaptability. This law states that the Bible can be interpreted to make it compatible with nearly every conceivable doctrine. The greatest proof of the operation of this Law is that irreconcilable positions on nearly every theological and ethical question are extant, all of which claim to have the sanction of Scripture. The sublime form of the Law indicates that reasons can always be given to demonstrate that Jesus himself would have approved of the conclusions reached by a given individual or community. When the Law of Infinite Hermeneutical Adaptability is in operation, it is nearly always accompanied by the Phenomenon of Total Surprise. I prefer the description of this Phenomenon in its "Lo and Behold" form: When individuals and groups find the Word of God in the Bible, the results, lo and behold, turn out to be identical with what they themselves believe!A young candidate for ordination professing the inerrancy of Scripture came before a committee. When asked if women should keep silent in the churches (I Cor. 14:34), he said no and spent the next few minutes in a dazzling display of contextual interpretation. No matter what it says, this text means what he knew it had to in the light of his own convictions about what was was true and good..
The modernist view is that everything in Scripture must be judged by what is most excellent in its witness, and it is we the interpreters who decide that. Authority resides in the fact that the biblical witness evokes acceptance by our reason in the light of our experience and all the relevant evidence we can bring to bear from all sources. This provides for me the best way to use the Bible with integrity.
ENDNOTES
1. New York Review of Books (January 11, 1996), 10.