Speculative Hermeneutics

 

Introduction

Understanding Scripture can be difficult for anyone—and nearly impossible for first-time readers. That’s because the Bible often runs counter to the way the world works, and quite honestly, the way we’ve been trained to think. It requires us to see with God's eyes, not our own. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, when we place our full faith in Christ, we become a new creation—and with that new life comes a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who begins to illuminate what God has already made true in His Word.

That’s not speculation—that’s illumination. When God shows something through His Spirit, it’s because it’s already there. But when we imagine, assume, or even reason something into the text that isn’t revealed, that’s speculation. And no matter how sensible it feels, if it’s not illuminated by the Spirit and grounded in the text, it is not what Scripture says.

Speculation is natural—we all do it, especially when we’re trying to fill in the gaps. But when it comes to Scripture, we don’t need to guess. We need to ask. And even when God doesn’t give us the answer right away, it’s not because it’s unknowable, but because He teaches us in layers. The Holy Spirit knows what we’re ready for—and speculation often shows up when we try to get ahead of what He’s ready to reveal. That's what this article aims to help us recognize—when God is teaching us in layers, and when we are trying to get ahead of Him with speculation.

Learning in Layers

We can't learn to run until we learn to walk, and we can't learn to write until we learn the letters that make it possible. We might want to be rich and famous, but that takes hundreds of layers, one after another. What happens when you try to run before you can walk? You fall flat on your face! If you believe God is smarter than you (and I pray you do), then ask for what you need and trust that He will give it to you—nothing less, and nothing more.

We teach children the Bible stories they can handle, and progressively add more to help them grow. God does the same with us—only to Him, we will always be children, growing into the image of Christ. If you are ready to die for Him right now—and not just die, but suffer excruciating pain while bearing the whole weight of mankind's sin on your shoulders despite being sinless—then perhaps you are grown up already. Until then, we need to learn in layers as children, grateful for the teachers God appoints to guide us.

Our first teacher is reality itself—there is nowhere we can go without learning from what God sovereignly rules. We learn how to get along with others, how to earn a paycheck, and how to provide for ourselves and others. Literally everything we do in reality is within God's classroom, and He can use any part of it to teach us how to follow Him better, one layer after another.

Our second teacher is the Holy Spirit—though some days it may be the first! Here, God is the teacher, and reality is the classroom, laboratory, training room, and workshop. We can run around doing what we reason on our own or what others tell us to do, or we can simply ask God: what, how, when, where, and for whom? James 1 says all we have to do is ask—but not with doubting. If we have placed our full faith in Jesus Christ alone, then we always have the Helper with us.

Our third teacher is Scripture, and like reality, the Holy Spirit is our headmaster. We can turn to our fourth teacher—the Church—and we should, but never apart from the Holy Spirit. We not only learn better together, but we can also teach better together. This is where layers of learning show up the most—when you know more, share it; and when you know less, learn it. But either way, whether teacher or student, always run it by the Holy Spirit, who will make sure you are getting the layers you need—nothing less and nothing more.

Foundational Principles: God teaches in layers, not leaps. We grow in truth one step at a time—through reality, the Spirit, Scripture, and the Church—never ahead of what God is ready to reveal.

If you want to study this concept more, here are a few verses to help you:

1. Progressive Revelation / Layered Growth

   • Hebrews 5:12–14: “You need milk, not solid food…” → Supports layered learning and spiritual readiness.

   • John 16:12: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” → Jesus affirms God’s wisdom in delaying deeper truths until we are ready.

   • 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is useful... for training” → Emphasizes ongoing development.

   • Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter…” → Truth unfolds with obedience and time.

2. God as Sovereign Teacher through Reality and Spirit

   • Psalm 19: “The heavens declare the glory of God...” → General revelation as real instruction.

   • James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God...” → Reinforces the role of the Spirit as an active teacher.

   • 1 John 2:27: “You have no need that anyone should teach you... his anointing teaches you...” → Not independence from the Church, but dependence on the Spirit’s confirmation.

3. Learning Through the Church

   • Ephesians 4:11–13: “...teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry...”

   • Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching...”

   • Romans 12:6–7: “...if teaching, then teach...” → Validates mutual edification.

When Speculation Feels Natural

It's easy to fall into speculation when reading Scripture—especially because the world teaches us to fill in gaps, offer interpretations, and form opinions quickly. This is how we learn in school, how we solve problems at work, and how we navigate relationships. We guess, we reason, and we adjust. That’s the world’s way.

But God’s way is different. God does not ask us to fill in gaps—He asks us to follow. He doesn't call us to imagine what might be true in scripture—He calls us to receive what is already from Him. In the Kingdom of God, truth is not figured out; it is revealed. And it is revealed to disciples—those who are willing to follow Him one step at a time, not run ahead with assumptions.

Jesus never once praised someone for figuring things out on their own. But He often said, "Follow me." This is what discipleship means: we learn by walking behind the Teacher, not by racing ahead of Him.

So while speculation may feel natural in most areas of life, it is not how we grow in the truth Scripture reveals. We grow by revelation, illumination, and confirmation—not projection. When we speculate with Scripture, we often fill in silence with what we wish were true, rather than waiting for what God chooses to reveal instead.

Here are five common ways we speculate with scripture—ranging from the most acceptable to the most dangerous:

1. Speculative Curiosity – "I wonder how this applies to me..."
   This is not speculation about scripture, it's about application--that's where the Holy Spirit can focus our attention, but only if we listen first...and then when we reason and act on it while listening for more direction

2. Speculative Association – "This reminds me of something else I read... maybe they connect."
   Scripture is meant to interpret Scripture—but not through "maybe." Instead of stopping there, search for and study the other passage. Ask others for help so everyone can learn together—with the Holy Spirit's help, of course.

3. Speculative Explanation – "Since Scripture doesn’t say, here’s what I think..."
   This inserts reasoning into silence, like Satan did with Eve in Eden and tried to do with Jesus in the wilderness.  Don't 'fall' for it--it might feel innocent at first, but it can quickly become routine, and you'll end up writing your own Bible and start following it instead.

4. Speculative Projection – "God must have meant..."
   This crosses the line from interpretation to invention, usually wrapped in confidence.  There's no coming back from this short of some tragedy paving the way, especially if you teach others.  If the Holy Spirit has illuminated something, share that it came from Him...as long as you know He is listening to what you're saying (accountable), others are hopefully listening to Him as well (possible conflict), and you could very well be leading others astray.

5. Speculative Doctrine – "This is what the Bible teaches..." (when it doesn’t)
   The most dangerous form—asserting what God has not said as if it came from Him.  Scripture is quite clear here--"it would be better for him that a millstone be tied around his neck and he were thrown into the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

Foundational Principle: Speculation may feel natural, but Biblical truth is revealed to those who follow Him—not those who assume.

Separating the Whats From the Hows

You can watch a television show or movie to get a better understanding of how things happened in biblical times, or even imagine what it was like after visiting where ancient events actually occurred. That is not the primary focus of this article. We are not as interested in precisely how things happened (unless they critical), but in what God wants us to learn and apply through Scripture—that’s what matters most.

What was the thorn in Paul's side, or was he or she married? Questions like that have little to no significance for our lives today--if they did God would have revealed them. What matters most is what is true, reliable, and necessary to glorify and enjoy God in all we do today--right now. In that respect, Scripture presents only four categories of essential content:

1. History – What actually happened and was recorded for our benefit.

2. Prophecy – What God has revealed about the future, judgment, or promises so we can trust and prepare.

3. Principles – Timeless truths that reveal how life works under God's design.

4. Commandments – What God has explicitly told His people to do or not do.

Every other layer—story, poetry, parable, vision, or metaphor—is a form. But these four categories are the critical content God gave us. Speculation may drift around the form, but it must never rewrite or reimagine this content.

Also, we can prove the history, principles and each prophesy that has already happened to remove all speculation--if the Bible says it's true it must be true in reality to be trustworthy.  And since that includes hundreds if not thousands of truth claims, you can see why speculation can be so derisive--speculation that turns out to be false can cause doubting everything in the Bible.  But since everything in the Bible that is provable has already been proven in reality, there is no reason for doubting it...until we start speculating.

Speculation can and often does mislead—but even worse, it leads to doubts and destruction of faith when it is proven false.  God's word is always true and not afraid of being tested in every reasonable way.  But speculation?  That is bound to be false unless it is illuminated by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in reality, scripture and faithful believers—but then it is not speculation, it is ontologically true.

Two More Kinds of Biblical Speculation

Now that we know where the lines are between layered learning and adding things to Scripture, let's clarify two remaining types of biblical speculation.

1. Exploratory Speculation – This is like scientific inquiry: something seems consistent, so you begin testing it. In Scripture, that means studying further, praying about it, and asking wise Christians for perspective. It is not something to teach or act on—it’s a seed of discovery that requires validation. It must stay in the realm of inquiry until Scripture itself confirms or denies it.

2. Unknowable Speculation – This is where things get tricky. Speculating about heaven, for example, may begin as innocent curiosity—but it crosses a line the moment you begin believing what Scripture hasn’t revealed. However, speculation that drives us to study and discover what Scripture does reveal is valuable. It’s not the speculation itself that’s harmful, but whether it produces ontological truth or misleading speculation.

In The Better Ministry, “Better” means willfully and progressively adding value. Better Speculation, then, is the kind that leads to discovery, deeper study, and spiritual growth—not belief, teaching, or actions that are inconsistent with God's will. The moment it is Better—and stays submitted to Scripture, not above it—God can use it for His glory and our enjoyment of Him. Otherwise, it becomes a distraction, or worse.

Foundational Principle: Better Biblical Speculation never becomes belief, teaching, or action until Scripture confirms or denies what God has already revealed.

A Final Note About Illumination

Not everything someone sees in Scripture apart from others is speculation. The Holy Spirit teaches us all in layers, and often what one believer sees is something others simply haven't seen yet. That does not make it false—it makes it personal, until it becomes shared. Here are some reminders:

1. Layered Learning Means Varied Illumination – Just because someone sees something you don’t, or you see something they don’t, doesn’t mean it’s speculative. We grow at different rates, and God reveals in perfect timing.

2. Personal Illumination Needs Confirmation – If you believe the Spirit is revealing something in Scripture, test it with mature Christians. This isn’t mysticism—if it’s really true, others will eventually see it too.

3. Don’t Let Illumination Cause Division – Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 not to let what is true for us cause others to stumble. If others aren’t ready for what you see, share it gently and let the Spirit confirm it in them when they are ready.

4. Proceed with Humility When You’re Alone – If you don’t have anyone to test what the Holy Spirit has illuminated, move slowly. Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned to the Spirit. The Better Ministry is here to help test and discern what may be from God so reach out to us. But if you choose to go it alone, don’t run ahead. Let God affirm or deny it in His time.

Foundational Principle: Illumination becomes true interpretation when it is confirmed by reality and other Scripture and believers—with the help of the Holy Spirit—never before.

In Summary

We all learn in layers, but there is a difference between the Holy Spirit teaching you something and reasoning it alone, even if other believers agree with you.  There is man's way, and God's way, and true believer only want it God's way. 

So if you hear something that might be true, learn something watching a television show, or something wise pops into your head, don't stop there--ask the Holy Spirit next, prove it true or false in reality and make sure it agrees with scripture, from Genesis through Revelation, before you trust and rely on it.  And if the people you ask about it are not sure, invite them to learn together. 

God will give us everything we need to glorify and enjoy Him in all things whenever we ask without doubting...when we are ready.  Until then, do all you can with what you have, with the people you care about most.