Scriptural Truths 101 - Apr. 15, 2015

         As previously mentioned, my intent is not to get into theological discussions. There’s been plenty of scholars who have dedicated their lives to research and have written a world full of treatises trying to explain this and that about the Bible. Personally, I primarily use the Scofield Reference Edition of the Authorized King James Version. Wikipedia says the KJV is “considered a towering achievement in English literature, as both beautiful and scholarly.” The translation was done by 47 scholars over a seven year period from 1604 to 1611.

            I’m currently reading the MacArthur Study Bible which I’ve wanted for several years because I greatly respect Dr. MacArthur’s teaching. This Bible is based on the New International Version. I heard Dr. MacArthur speak on the parable of the Tares which many scholars have used to say the Church is infected with non-believers. Dr. MacArthur said this interpretation is incorrect based on Jesus’ own explanation of the parable to his Disciples. From Matthew 13:38 – “The field is the world …”. This started my thinking that maybe we should actually read what the Bible says instead of getting caught up in theological argument.

My belief that the Bible means what it says was initiated from Jesus Himself in His conversation with the Sadducees in Mark 12:18-27 (ADDA – Greg Laurie does a great message on the Sadducees. He humorously speaks that because they didn’t believe in the resurrection they were “sad-you-see”). (btw ADDA = Attention Deficit Disorder Alert and is my excuse for going off subject).

Anyway, the Sadducees came to Jesus with a story trying to prove the impossibility of the resurrection. They posed a situation in which seven men married the same woman after each previous husband had died (I’m sure we can all empathize with the men; seems like word would have gotten around). So, Jesus answered their question but then addressed the premise of their entire sect: Mark 12:26 “… have ye not read in the book of Moses how, in the bush, God said I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob ...”. In other words, if there’s no resurrection, God would have said “I was the God of …”.  This popular, long time sect of Jewish leaders had been established on a principle that Abba had clarified as false two millennia before.

My advice is to read scripture carefully and look first at what the Word actually and directly says.

Wondrous Abba, Mighty Father.

Have mercy upon us and

forgive the pride we have in intellectualism.

Teach us the truth of your Word

And guide us through thy Spirit.

In Christ’s name we pray.