Have you ever heard or been a part of a Bible discussion where the conversation went back and forth referring to Bible passages in a debate-like format on a certain subject? Let’s use a fictitious but illustrative example. Mr. A says, “We are saved by grace.” Mr. B responds strongly saying, “No we aren’t. We are saved by works.” From this point they begin quoting or showing each other Scriptures that “support” their position going back and forth until the cows come home (or, their wives call first).
Who is right? The Bible says that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9). But the Bible also says to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). You might be tempted to say that both are right, but I would be more tempted to say that both are wrong. Why do I say that? Because both of the gentlemen are referring to Scripture. Although both are right in one sense, both are limiting God’s teaching to their particular position and ignoring the other. This is wrong. Neither is embracing the whole truth. Both statements are truth and deserve (and must) be honored as truth. The Bible is not against the Bible. The correct view is that in some sense we are absolutely saved by grace and in some sense we are absolutely saved by works. It is not our purpose right now, but if our desire was to dig deeper into these matters we could start by looking at the contexts of both of these passages and then look into other passages that relate to these matters in some way.
There simply is no real tension between one passage and another. Not when they are correctly understood. Every word is ultimately from God and God has communicated in a congruent way on every subject matter that He has addressed in Scripture. The Psalmist said: “The sum of your word is truth” (Ps. 119:160). The apostle Paul thought serious consideration should be given to the entire body of Scripture (see Acts 20:27).
As we studied near the beginning of this series, there is always the real danger of choosing passages that seem to support what one believes, or what one desires to believe, and permit them to override other teachings that aren’t as palatable, for whatever reason. It’s the “itching ears syndrome” that often leads away from the truth of God’s Word (see 2 Tim. 4:2-4). It is easy to hear or see what a person wants to hear or see.
It is vital that we really comprehend why this happens. First, this does not chiefly occur because folks are seeking to be dishonest. However, there is great danger of wanting to feel confirmed. No one wants to draw the conclusion that they have falsely believed something. Of course, very few want to believe their family has believed something that is actually false. If we are not extremely careful, these things can quite naturally repel us from discovering the truth!
Let me give an example that I think will help in understanding the difficulty that all of us face. Let’s say that the World Series is on the line… The Texas Rangers are batting in the bottom of the ninth, of the seventh and deciding game. The bases are loaded, there are two outs and there is a three ball, two strike count. The entire Ranger season, and their first World Championship comes down to the next pitch. The pitch thrown is just as borderline as it possibly could be. The batter does not offer at it and the umpire punches him out! What happens? The Ranger fans go crazy! (In a bad way!) They are irate. They honestly believe the pitch was a ball and that the game should be tied, and going into the tenth inning. On the other hand, the Cardinals celebrate their twelfth World Series Championship, and at least 95% of the Cardinal Nation do not question that final call for a second. (Disclaimer: This is not a prophecy!)
But why the great disparity of views? Everyone saw the same pitch. The Ranger fans and the Cardinal fans had a similar view of the pitch. It happened because sometimes it is very difficult to be purely objective. The Ranger fans desperately wanted to win the World Series. The Cardinal fans are elated that the Redbirds get to add to their trophy case. (Incidentally, the author of this article may be just a bit biased in using this particular example.)
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- Realize that the truth has nothing to hide nor anything to be scared about. God’s Word means what it means no matter what I desire it to mean and no matter what my family has always believed. The wise man said: “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). Don’t sell it for your desires nor trade it even for your family. Seek truth. The truth will not let you down. Jesus said, “The truth that will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Guard against the delusion of a lie! (see 2 Thes. 2:11).
- I can’t emphasize this strongly enough… Be serious about Bible study! Desire God’s Word and His truth like an infant desires milk! (see 1 Pt. 2:2). Please hear this… If you are not really a Bible student, it will be nearly impossibly to avoid the problem we are discussing (that plagues so many. Just being honest here… if you aren’t really willing to dig into the Bible you are pretty much at the mercy of your environment and whatever you would like to believe. That’s not good!). So, from a sincere and prayerful heart, study God’s Word and do so to understand it, not just confirm what you already believe.
(3) Have a plan or method for Bible study. Don’t be haphazard. And that doesn’t mean just go to
Bible classes. That’s great, but do your own study! Nothing will substitute for this. Study regularly (see Acts 17:11; Ps. 1:2). Study systematically. That’s what we do when we really want to learn anything!
(4) Always strive to understand what the Bible meant to the original reader. The Bible was not written directly to you. Reading it like that leads to trouble. Many sincerely take their questions to the Bible and then answer their question with whatever they happen to read. This procedure appears innocent, but gets the cart before the horse. Instead, seek to understand what was going on in the original setting, and then seek to make applications. Otherwise you end up “forcing” the Bible to fit what you want it to.
We haven’t used this word much in this study, but a key concept in Bible study is humility. Study God’s Word with a humble and prayerful heart, seeking only to rightly divide (2 Tim. 2:15) and discern the truth.
Daren Schroeder
