The Relationship Between Truth and Unity pt. 2

Last Saturday, we talked about searching for truth in order to test our claims about the validity of the Bible. When we make claims as grand as the divine inspiration of scriptures and Christ’s resurrection, we should be able to back up those claims. In order to see this type of thinking in action, we looked specifically at Christ’s example – when the apostles demanded proof, he gave them proof – and then we looked at the difference between skepticism and cynicism. To see this study, click here. Today, we will cover one of the biggest influences on what each of us believe: our opinions/interpretations.

            We believe that the Bible is the truth. We discussed how we must search for the truth in our last study, so we will assume that we have studied and have all drawn the same conclusion – the Bible is infallible and is undeniably true. Following our claim that the Bible is absolute truth, logic dictates that we must also, therefore, believe that we have absolutely no other choice than to follow it as it is written. We see this type of attitude in Mt. 4, when Jesus is fighting temptation. He responds to every attempt by Satan to draw him away with “it is written.”

What does this mean for us? 

            Usually, when I’m studying the Bible, I feel a conclusion about a group of scriptures or about a specific topic forming in my head. Sometimes, it seems to fit perfectly with the preexisting point of view I have regarding the subject. Other times, I’ll come to a conclusion that’s totally different from what I believed prior to arriving at that conclusion. The progression usually works like this: I Google the topic or consult some other study resource, I find 3 or 4 verses that all seem to line up with the conclusion I’ve drawn, and then it all becomes clear to me: I’m right! I finally figured this out.

Sometimes, that’s great, but sometimes, I’m completely wrong.

Often, if I draw a conclusion that seems wild, new, unexpected, and “the answer to all of my problems,” there are still 1 or 2 things in the Bible that don’t quite line up with the conclusion I’ve drawn. Maybe it’s as little as one verse that doesn’t line up with my conclusion. 

The point is: all of the reading “between the lines” that any one of us does can be wrong - whether it's me, you, the preacher, the pastor, the pope - anyone can be wrong. We're only human.

Now don't get me wrong, it’s not that reading “between the lines” is necessarily a bad thing, but reading “between the lines” can get us in trouble pretty quickly if our reading “between the lines” contradicts the “it is written” of the Scriptures. When Jesus was tempted, he responded with “it is written.” When we are tempted to interpret the Scriptures in a certain way, we need to first and foremost respond to our inner voice, if you want to call it that, with “it is written.”

 

If the Bible is clear on a certain subject, we do not have the liberty to change what is written, disobey what is written, or alter what is written. What is written in the Bible is written that way for a reason; if the topic is a matter of interpretation, we will know because we won’t be able to find an all-inclusive answer in the scriptures.

         If we believe (which we do) that the Bible is the absolute truth, then we must follow it absolutely. No opinions or interpretations are intended to be the primary basis for what we believe if the Bible is clear on a particular subject. This post has been condensed in order to save space - to see an example of this principle in action in my life and the solution I found to the problem I was struggling with, please click here. 

Next week, we’ll talk a little bit about the divine inspiration of the scriptures, and what it means for us as we study and attempt to emulate Christ as brothers and sisters within Christ's church. 

Thank you for reading! 

With Christian love,
Ethan

As always, feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or comments!