The Authority of the Bible

Christianity is the religion of Divine authority. To be pleasing to God, man must be submissive to God’s will for him. The New Testament designates a specific type of authority.

First, all authority rests with God (Genesis 1:1; John 17:1-2). Second, God delegated His power/authority to His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). Third, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13). Fourth, the New Testament writers recorded God’s will for man in these “last days” (Christian era) by inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Bible authority is essential to a right relationship with God. The road taken without a “thus saith the Lord” will lead to eternal destruction (Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18-19). Carl F.H. Henry said “Evasion of the authority of Scripture can only lead eventually to an apostate church.” (God, Revelation and Authority, VI, p. 63 ). William Woodson penned “The combination of the authority of God, Christ, and the apostles as recipients of the Holy Spirit by whom they were empowered to know, speak, and write the word of God, the Scripture, is of utmost significance as to the authority of the New Testament for the attainment of unity. What is read in Scripture is what God revealed and confirmed, and what he has preserved. When we receive this word, we receive it “not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God” (2 Thess. 2:13). The source, therefore, of the authority of Scripture is God Himself who through Jesus Christ revealed his will to man in the New Testament. We are to accept this written word as it is in truth the very word of God, submitting to it in reverence as we would if God were speaking directly from heaven in making his will known. Behind every truth in/of Scripture, whether statement, command, or plea, there is the power, wisdom, and reality of God. The submission of man to this authority of the written word manifests his concurrent and simultaneous submission to God Himself; to refuse to obey his written word is to refuse to submit to God as Lord and Judge. On this vital thought of prompt and reverent submission to the written word of God there is to be no hesitation or doubt for the people of God” (Sixth Annual Inman Bible Forum. The Authority of Scripture: The Basis of Christian Unity (Parkersburg, WV: Ohio Valley College, 1988) pp. 15-16).

The New Testament is the final, complete, authoritative, objective body of truth for mankind today (2 Peter 1:3; Galatians 1:6-12; John 12:48). Since the Bible is God’s will for mankind; we must open it, read it, search it, meditate upon it, memorize it, and practice it, to receive all the benefits.

Christians and Wealth

The following is from the Asbury Collegian, written by their editorial board, February 2, 2007. “Christians And Wealth: If you’ve got it, don’t flaunt it”

Do you ever sit in a location, say a shopping mall or boardwalk, marveling at all the different sorts of people that happen by? We all people-watch from time to time, taking note of an angst-filled teen moping by, his countenance riddled with piercings, or a Chanel-suited lady, her high-heels clicking as she struts past with the gate of a Lipizzaner stallion.

What opinions do people form about us as we walk by? Will the first thing they notice be our Louis Vuitton handbags? Designer jeans or shoes? A key ring studded with the logo of a sports car, dancing and dangling from our fingertips?

People will make lots of assumptions about us based on the way we outfit ourselves – whether simply and frugally or flashily and expensively. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with earning a lot of money or being affluent, or even owning nice things, there comes a point when excess is unacceptable.

Even if one might feel justified in purchasing a new luxury car by having given a great deal of money away for good purposes, what purpose does the purchase serve? What do we have to prove that we must clothe ourselves with the clothing of kings and drive automobiles favored by heads of state?

Christ had a lot to say on this matter; in fact money is one of the most frequently discussed topics of the Gospels. Jesus said: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

As Christians we are to have a burden for the poor, not a burden for a Bimmer and certainly not a burden for both. Even with abundant resources in our lives, overindulgence to support a wealthy image has nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with ourselves.

AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE

am-big-u-ous 1. Open to more than one interpretation: an ambiguous reply. 2. Doubtful or uncertain: SYNONYM: ambiguous, equivocal, obscure, recondite, abstruse, vague, cryptic, enigmatic These adjectives mean lacking clarity of meaning. Ambiguous indicates the presence of two or more possible meanings (American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc).

Vague statements are capable of leaving the wrong impression and increase the possibility of deception. Statements need to be qualified (“modified, limited, or restricted in some way”) in order to know exactly what is meant by the one communicating. Noncommittal answers fail to give the proper response when we are bound to give a defense for our faith (1 Peter 3:15)! The truth of God’s Word (John 17:17) is perfect (James 1:25) and is our objective standard (John 12:48).

Consider the following statements keeping in mind the definition of ambiguous language (Open to more than one interpretation).

“I believe the Bible.” It is noble for one to state that they believe the Bible! Does this individual believe the Bible is a “good book” or do they believe and recognize it as the authority in all spiritual matters? Is the Bible to be believed only when it doesn’t conflict with religion, lifestyle, tradition, creeds or associations? Rejected when it is applied specifically as being the final authority? Many believe the Bible, but few faithfully obey its teachings (Matthew 7:21-23). What is meant when one says “I believe the Bible”?

“Baptism does not save.” Does this ambiguous statement conclude that baptism cannot save alone or is it saying that baptism is not essential to salvation? The Apostle Peter records: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:18-21). Baptism saves; but not removed from faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), and confessing the name of Christ (Acts 8:37).

Jesus preached that immersion in His name was essential to salvation! Mark 16:16 reads, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Peter by inspiration told his hearers “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Baptism is essential to salvation. Baptism alone does not save!

“We don’t have music in the church” Now and again, a well-intentioned member of the church of Christ will say “we don’t have music in the church.” This generally refers to the absence of mechanical instruments of music in the worship. The statement is ambiguous. The church of Christ does have “music” in its worship. Vocal music is a part of Christian worship (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Our singing praise to God is a type of spiritual sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). There is power in singing to: 1. Teach 2. Admonish 3. Encourage, and 4. Motivate. During the lifetime, and in the writings of the apostles, Christian praise is never described with musical instruments, only the human voice and heart.

“I believe Christ’s law on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage.” The subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage is one of the most sensitive issues currently facing the church. The subject has become so diverse preachers, elders and members often misapply the Scriptures.

One may state that they believe Christ’s teaching on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, yet when they make application, may believe: 1. that the law of God on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage only applies to Christians, and not those outside of Christ. 2. More than one exception (“fornication”) is acceptable for Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. 3. That regardless of their marital history, one may continue to live with the spouse they have at the time of their baptism. 4. That a deserted believer may remarry. 5. That the guilty party may remarry. 6. That couples can live in adultery with God’s approval. 7. That adulterous marriages are washed away at baptism.

We must speak the truth of God’s Word in love and make it clear that marriage is intended by God to be a lifelong union (Matthew 19:6). We are obligated to help our hearers understand that in the absence of Scriptural cause, divorce itself is sinful (Matthew 19:6). When remarriage takes place, the additional sin of adultery is committed. First, by the man or woman who unscripturally puts away a mate and remarries (Mark 10:11-12). Second, by the one put away who remarries (Matthew 5:32). And Third, by the one who marries the one put away (Matthew 5:32). Unscriptural divorce invites the additional sin of remarriage and adultery.

Ambiguous language is detrimental to the cause of Christ and to the faithful transmission of the Word of God. Neil W. Anderson gets to the heart of the matter when he writes:

“Ask questions of those who teach you and your children. Hold their teachings up to the light of God’s Word. When people say they believe something, ask them to explain what they mean or apply it to a situation. Don’t just assume that because they are using the same phrase as you would that they mean the same thing. They may, but they may not – be alert (Gospel Advocate, March 2000, p. 3).

How Would Jesus Vote?

I have just finished reading a book by D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues. With 2008 being an election year, politics and politicians find their way daily into our thoughts, conversations, and lives and it is imperative that Christians examine the issues and the candidates’ positions on the issues so that we can serve God and His purpose through our privilege as citizens.

Maintaining a Christian worldview while wading through the political issues can be somewhat challenging at times, especially when topics take on an intentional “spin” by politicians and their followers. Should a Christian be involved in the political process (vote, run for office, and work for a campaign)? Certainly! Kennedy and Newcombe make this case in their book as well as placing some blame on Christians for allowing things to get to the point they are because of our complacency in the past.

Jesus and politics. They do not mix. Or so we have been told. Jesus is certainly above politics. The question is, would He have His followers be involved in the political process? (p. 4).

The authors clearly believe Christians should be involved in the political process and even go so far as to state that much of the blame for the problems we are encountering in our society “should be placed at the doorstep of the church” (p. 8).

Is God on our side or…

What side is God on? People have wanted to know that since the beginning of warfare… In the book of Joshua, the title character has an encounter with God, or more precisely, the Son of God (p.8).

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14).

Joshua asks Jesus, “are you on our side?” much the same way we ask today, “Lord are you on our side or theirs?” And how does Jesus answer? “Neither…He is not on anybody’s side.”

We want to vote “correctly,” but how do we know the right way to vote – the Christian way to vote? Jesus goes on to explain to Joshua that he will be victorious if he obeys the Lord and does what he is commanded to do. The question therefore, is not if God is on our side, but rather, are we on God’s side? You may recall that Abraham Lincoln said as much during the Civil War. In 1863 he overheard someone say that he hoped “the Lord was on the Union’s side.” The president responded: “I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” (p. 9-10)

Does God care how we cast our ballot? I believe the answer is yes. ..Yet how would Jesus have us vote? When Jesus was on earth He did not reside in a democratic republic and had no opportunity to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, those of us who make following Him our first priority believe He has spoken through His word and given us principles that can inform us on how to vote on many issues…The purpose of this book is to explore those biblical principles from which we can draw political implications (p. 10)

Issues

In this book, we will begin by looking at the broader question of whether the Bible and politics can – and should – mix. I believe that they do. Jesus said we are to “render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Luke 20:25). Furthermore, we are called to be salt and light, which has political implications. After exploring the Bible and politics, we will examine the critical issues of our nation and look for guidance from the Bible. This discussion will include many of the issues currently tearing us apart as a society.

Chapters four through thirteen deal with the following issues:

4 – Matters of Life and Death: Abortion, Stem Cells, Suicide, and Euthanasia.

5 – Crime and Punishment: Judging the Death Penalty

6 – War: Is It Ever Justified?

7 – Education and Our Schools

8 – Economic Concerns

9 – Health-Care Issues

10 – The Environment and Climate Change

11 – Immigration and Racial Prejudice

12 – Marriage: Society Smallest Unit

13 – Judicial Activism and the Courts

In a future post we will share quotes from each chapter on the above issues that affect us as Christians and Americans.

The author’s goal is to remind us that God has given us His Word and through it we have commands, principles and examples that direct our beliefs and views to a Christ-like mindset, i.e. worldview.

When we ask, “How would Jesus have us vote?” we are actually asking, “How would the Bible have us vote?” (p. 12). In fifty years I have not, to my knowledge, ever mentioned the name of either one of those political parties whose names I will not mention now, or I could not make that statement again. Lastly, I do not think preachers should tell people for whom they should vote. I do believe, however, that it is incumbent upon us as ministers of the Word of God to declare the principles and moral teachings of the Scripture that apply to public policy in this country (p. 32).

God’s word in the New Testament is our guide, pattern, example, form of doctrine, and blueprint. It is perfect, complete, authoritative, and final. We must be in complete submission to it (John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3).

As Christians, our loyalty should be first and foremost to Jesus Christ and His authority. To be loyal to a party or political figure that compromises one’s faith and principles by their words and actions, lessen our credibility as Christians and offend Jesus Christ.

Those deadly compromises are seen so often when Christians cast a ballot in a way that has no connection to their faith. We will give an account for every aspect of our lives, including how we vote. May the Lord give us wisdom to obey Him in this as well as in all areas of our lives (p. 192).

Tragically, there are Christians whom the authors describe “who have one foot stuck in the godlessness of their world and the other gingerly in the church, those who love God but embrace political principles clearly spoken against in His Word” (p. 188).

Title: How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues
Authors: D. James Kennedy, PhD and Jerry Newcombe
Boards: Hardback
Pages: 260
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: Yes
Binding: Sewn
Topical index: Yes + 22 pages of endnotes
Scriptural index: No
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Year: 2008
Price USD: $16.99
ISBNs: 978-1-4000-7406-8