None of us are perfect, right?

[Bobby Hamilton]

Bear with me here.


All of us have varying knowledge of the scriptures. Myself, I wish I had the knowledge that a lot of you seem to possess.

With that said, none of us can know with 100% certainty that the way we interpret the scriptures is 100% correct, right?

I mean, just read some threads here: Multiple people who appear to have great knowledge of the word, will show great proof using the scriptures as support, but be at odds with someone doing the same thing.

So how can we know when we are wrong?

 

[Don]

My friend, you're not gonna get too many people responding to this. <grin>

 

[Andy_S]

I too have struggled with interpretations and differing - sometimes widely differing - views, and trying to decide what is objectively right or wrong.

 

[Bobby Hamilton]

My friend, you're not gonna get too many people responding to this. <grin>

I actually expected this before I replied. But I wanted to see what different opinions of this would be.

 

[Skandelon]

Bobby,

A debate forum tends to attract those who at least appear to be very 'sure of themselves' (arrogant). I'm including myself in that because I realize the written word in the midst of a debate carries a tone of absolute certainty.

When you read or hear SOME of the more respected scholars on both sides of this debate however, the tone is often much less dogmatic and more humble. For example, I remember reading and listening to RC Sproul back when I was a Calvinist and thinking how much I respected his honesty and objectivity in dealing with very difficult passages. He often admitted self doubt and uncertainty about his positions and he seemed to tread very carefully into speculation. He admitted that he 'could be wrong about this' but went on to explain his opinion with great humility.

On this debate forum, I guess that is seen as a weakness that would be attacked mercilessly, which is unfortunate.

So, to answer your question, we don't really know if we are completely right on every controversial point of doctrine. I'd be very leery of anyone who claimed otherwise. However, we CAN and SHOULD fully vet the scriptures and possible interpretations so as to make the most educated decisions about what we believe and teach on these very important issues.

I'd also be very leery of any 'scholar' who wasn't willing or able to correctly explain the other possible interpretations of a particular passage. If they say, "This is what that verse means..." When they are done giving their view, ask them, "Are there other scholarly interpretations of this text out there?" And see what he says. If he doesn't know them or can't explain them correctly then he has possibly made a uninformed decision about what he believes.

 

[Iconoclast]

Bear with me here.


All of us have varying knowledge of the scriptures. Myself, I wish I had the knowledge that a lot of you seem to possess.

With that said, none of us can know with 100% certainty that the way we interpret the scriptures is 100% correct, right?

I mean, just read some threads here: Multiple people who appear to have great knowledge of the word, will show great proof using the scriptures as support, but be at odds with someone doing the same thing.

So how can we know when we are wrong?

Hello BH,
God has designed it just this way in part to keep us seeking after Him.

1cor11

18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

We do not want to be the source of the heresy:laugh:

So we must pray to grow in grace and knowledge, and yet be teachable.
This is not easy..especially when you may have worked hard to try and learn a system of teaching like as an example...I spent years just learning the dispensational system...but over time it has been unraveled by further study.


Many Pastors go to a seminary and are taught a certain way. They struggle to acquire much book knowledge..just taking it in as best as they can.
But once you get the raw data..so to speak it takes time to examine it, and process it, question it.
Some here struggle to learn about Cal/arm teaching. they have been taught a certain way about it...pro or con.
It is alot of verses and vocabulary to go over. No one wants to hold error.No one wakes up and says...I want to be mis-lead and deceived today.
But without a teachable spirit you can wind up resisting the very truth that we should hold.

I am not a Presbyterian....but I want to read from those brothers and see why the view the covenant as they do...similar but different to what I would hold. In doing that I should know their teaching well enough to be able to teach in a Presbyterian Church and go undetected as a baptist:thumbsup:
Then when asked if I believe those things, I should be able to show why I do not hold what they do based on other verses:thumbs:

Same with any area of doctrine.gifts, end times, sanctification.

Any of us despite getting heated up as we do in here...should keep in mind that what we do we do before the Lord.
Go with what you know, until you know differently.

 

[kyredneck]

None of us are perfect, right?

Right.....

 

[Amy.G]

This is a good question and one I cannot answer.

Ephesians 4:5-6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all..................

yet a billion different interpretations of scripture.....huh?


I don't know why God allows us to have so many different views of the same scripture, but apparently He does.

If we approach scripture with a humble heart, a teachable spirit, and a confidence that God will open our eyes to the truth, then we are on the right path.


A few years ago I commented to my SS teacher at the time about how I had changed my views over the years as I read and studied scripture. He said "oh I've never changed my mind about doctrine". Really? I guess he just knew it all the day he was saved. This is pride and the evidence of an unteachable spirit. Beware of people like that.

 

[Christos doulos]

I too have struggled with interpretations and differing - sometimes widely differing - views, and trying to decide what is objectively right or wrong.

The truth is, every pastor has misinterpreted scripture. Ask John MacArthur, but the mistakes are not heretical. Even though many denominations remain apart on non essentials, the essentials we agree on.

I grew up a pentecostal and I don't believe in speaking in tongues, because I don't see it in scripture, but my brothers do. It's not something I will harp over nor wrangle with them. In the grand scheme of things salvation wise, it's really not all that important nor will I take a dogmatic position on tongues, baby baptism etc....

It's ok to disagree, even be wrong but just do it in love with your brothers and sisters in Christ

 

[Andy_S]

Thanks

don't know why God allows us to have so many different views of the same scripture, but apparently He does.

If we approach scripture with a humble heart, a teachable spirit, and a confidence that God will open our eyes to the truth, then we are on the right path.

These are helpful to me. So many people in my church have questioned my convictions and interpretations. It is often hard to know whether I'm on the right path. Some people seem so certain!

 

[Christos doulos]

Thanks



These are helpful to me. So many people in my church have questioned my convictions and interpretations. It is often hard to know whether I'm on the right path. Some people seem so certain!

You need to surround yourself with good, sound teachers.

My friend. Do you think you can give us an example of one of your "questionable" interpretations?

 

[preachinjesus]

We should all let the Holy Spirit inform our interpretations...because that is the objective source of certainty.

 

[Christos doulos]

We should all let the Holy Spirit inform our interpretations...because that is the objective source of certainty.

My friend. That is true, but we are not given the gift of interpretation, which is why God sends us to men with these gifts.

 

[Andy_S]

My friend. Do you think you can give us an example of one of your "questionable" interpretations?

Pre-destination and Calvinism. Some people are chosen before birth to go to Heaven; which would seem to imply that others are NOT chosen. I can't comprehend this. Some people take this literal interpretation - that there is nothing we can do to affect our own salvation or otherwise.

 

[Christos doulos]

Pre-destination and Calvinism. Some people are chosen before birth to go to Heaven; which would seem to imply that others are NOT chosen. I can't comprehend this. Some people take this literal interpretation - that there is nothing we can do to affect our own salvation or otherwise.

Ohhhh...well that's a non-essential. I agree with everyone else about looking to the Holy Spirit. If people don't agree with you, then that's fine. I am a Calvinist but most of the people in my church aren't. It rarely comes up and when it does, it is nothing to get upset over. Just keep preaching the gospel

 

[Andy_S]

Calvinism is just an issue that I seem to have taken to my heart - like many other things which some others may legitimately describe as peripheral!

 

[Skandelon]

Pre-destination and Calvinism. Some people are chosen before birth to go to Heaven; which would seem to imply that others are NOT chosen. I can't comprehend this. Some people take this literal interpretation - that there is nothing we can do to affect our own salvation or otherwise.

My view is that the biblical teaching of predestination is not about God preselecting certain individuals. It is about God predetermining to adopt and conform WHOSOEVER believes, whether they are Jew or Gentile.

For example, a pilot may predetermine his destination without necessarily determining what individuals will board his plane. Likewise, Paul may be expressing that God predetermined the destination of those who are 'IN CHRIST.' How they enter Christ through faith (whether by irresistible means, as Calvinists believe, or not) isn't even revealed in those passages.

So, I think you can simply present those two views in a fair way and allow the people to grapple with the implications of each view. In MY experience most reject the Calvinistic conclusions when both views are presented side by side, but when ONLY the Calvinistic view is presented some accept it by default and those who don't are left confused and conflicted.

 

[kyredneck]

So how can we know when we are wrong?

I'd rather put it like this; how do we know what we're hearing is right? I say that because actually little of what I know 'originated' with me, but I've generally first read it or heard it preached beforehand.

IME, the tuth strikes a cord within, somethings rings true about it in your heart, and causes you to search it out deeper. If it becomes 'precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little', then something's not right. When the Spirit teaches, it comes in like a flood.

jmhe

 

[Iconoclast]

Pre-destination and Calvinism. Some people are chosen before birth to go to Heaven; which would seem to imply that others are NOT chosen. I can't comprehend this. Some people take this literal interpretation - that there is nothing we can do to affect our own salvation or otherwise.

I can't comprehend this. Some people take this literal interpretation - that there

Why can you not comprehend this?
What other interpretation is there?

God has elected some...not all. A multitude of individuals. The fact that this revealed truth is a biblical truth...in no way diiminishes the command of God that all men everywhere repent.

 

[mandym]

My view is that the biblical teaching of predestination is not about God preselecting certain individuals. It is about God predetermining to adopt and conform WHOSOEVER believes, whether they are Jew or Gentile.

Which is the clear and biblical position.