Sent Feet, Beautiful Feet

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15).

Let’s look more closely at this text.  In the first part of this verse, it speaks of the sending of preachers.  Man does not need to take an odyssey to some far away place, nor does man need to journey into the spirit realm to learn the Truth (Romans 10:6-7; Deuteronomy 30:11-13).  God has sent forth inspired preachers to reveal the Truth of His will (Matthew 28:18-f; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; Acts 9:15).  God made sure man had the opportunity to hear (cf. Romans 10:18).  This is the context.   Listen to brother Franklin Camp, he says, “The question Paul asked in Romans 10:15… was not ‘How shall one preach unless a church sends and supports him?’  He is speaking of chosen, selected ones commissioned by God and inspired to preach or proclaim the word of God.  This kind of preaching had to do with receiving the revelation of God’s Word.  Suppose Christ had not selected the twelve and endued them with the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel?  Who would have been able to call upon the name of the Lord?” (The Work Of The Holy Spirit In Redemption, p. 203). I do believe such to be the true context; But still, it should cause us to think about those in foreign lands.  We still should ask, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” and “How shall they preach except they be sent?”

Now, let us continue by looking on to the second part of the verse.  Let’s discuss beautiful feet.  It too, primarily in context, concerns inspired preachers of the first century. However the words may have originally had to do with some thing else.

When Jerusalem fell to Babylon, one Israelite made that long arduous journey to those who had already been taken captive in order to break the bad news (Ezekiel 33:21 cf. 24:26-27).  No one likes to hear bad news.

However, when Babylon fell, some escaped out of Babylon to declare these things to those still in Zion (Jeremiah 50:28).  What joyous news.  Babylon had fallen!  No doubt the people must have thought that these bearers of good news had beautiful feet, in bringing such good news. Isaiah 52:7-8 reads, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation… Your watchman shall lift up their voices,  with their voices they shall sing together… When the LORD brings back Zion.”  Paul applies this to the apostolic message.  However, it seems to me that the original meaning refers to those bearers of good news long ago. A return was made possible!  Curtis Cates has written, “No obstacle would deter or obstruct God’s messengers… not even mountains.  Just as the runner’s feet would be beautiful who would announce  to captive peoples that deliverance had been secured,  just so would the running, sore and dusty feet of the apostle be beautiful as they brought the message of complete freedom (possible) through the grace of God from the taskmaster of sin… Now what makes beautiful feet?  Is it not the message they bear?” ( 1996 Denton Lectures, Studies In Romans, p.345).

Are your feet beautiful?  You may have corns or bunions on your feet.  You may suffer from athlete’s foot, or from toe fungus.  You may have a club foot, or no feet at all.  But if you have helped convert a sinner, if you have told someone of the good news (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, and that they need not remain in the land of captivity, if you have helped them return home to God – no doubt to them your feet are beautiful!   And to God also!

Let us all strive to have beautiful feet!

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The Devil Tempts Jesus

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Let us consider how the devil tempted Jesus and how Jesus handled the temptations.  This may well help us to overcome temptations which we face.

1.  The lust of the flesh (fleshly appetites).

“And the devil said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread'” (Luke 4:3).

Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights.  He was hungry (cf. Matthew 4:2).  The devil used His natural, God-given bodily appetite to tempt Jesus.

We live in a physical world.  We have physical bodies.  Our physical bodies have bodily appetites, involuntary bodily appetites.  This is how we were made.  The devil will use such to tempt us to do things contrary to God’s will.

Jesus responded by saying, “It is written ‘man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God'” (Luke 4:4).  God evidently had communicated to Jesus that He was not to feed Himself this way.  Very likely, the issue was that God did not want Jesus to use miraculous powers for self benefit.  Never did Jesus or the apostles use miraculous powers for self benefit.

Application for us – “Man’s craving for food is an inherent drive.  Wish though he may that this drive did not exist, man cannot escape the need for food.  But though the desire itself is not of man’s choosing, his response to it is.  In fact, how man handles physical hunger is indicative of whether he exercises a basic Christian virtue: temperance or self-control.  God places appetite within man and expects him to control it” (Kerry Duke, God at a Distance, p. 87).  Doing God’s will is even more important than caring for the physical body.

2.  The lust of the eyes (earthly ambitions).

“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said to Him, ‘all this authority I will give to You, and their glory… if You will worship before me, all will be Yours” (Luke 4:5-7).

I believe that the temptation is for Jesus to take a different path to Kingship than the cruel cross.  James Snowden commented, “What does this mean but that Jesus was tempted to use the devil’s means and methods of getting the kingdom…?” (The Coming of the Lord, p. 90).  If Jesus chose to abandon God’s plan including the cross, and to become an earthly king, no doubt such would have been immensely popular.  After all, He could feed the multitudes.  Moreover, the Jews were desiring a king (John 6:15). The devil used that which was appealing to the eyes to tempt.

However, Jesus responded – “Get behind me Satan!  For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Luke 4:8).  Jesus answered Peter similarly when Peter tried to keep Jesus from His own death (Matthew 16:21-23).  Thus, many conclude that Satan, like Peter, was trying to interfere with God’s plan of the cross.

Application – If we are going to successfully deal with temptation, then we must determine whom we will worship and serve.  This must be clear in our minds.  Moreover, we must be bold enough to respond “Get behind me Satan!” to anyone who would stand in our way of serving our God (cf. Matthew 16:21-23). “Satan” means “adversary.”  Anyone oppressing our service to God is an adversary on that point.

3.  The pride of life (ego).

“Then He brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the Temple and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God throw yourself down from here. ‘For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep you.’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone'” (Luke 4:10-11).

Satan quoted scripture.  He said in effect, “Show me how God protects You,” or “Let’s test Him.  Let see if God will rescue You.”  This is an appeal to pride.

Jesus responded, “It has been said, “You shall not tempt the LORD your God'” (Luke 4:12).  He responded by quoting Scripture.  Three times Jesus was tempted.  Each time He responded by quoting Scripture (Luke 4:4 cf. Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:8 cf. Deuteronomy 6:13; Luke 4:12 cf. Deuteronomy 6:16).

Scripture must be taken together.  “The sum” of God’s word is truth (Psalm 119:60 ASV).  Dave Miller has written, “Psalm 91, though intended to convey the care and concern which God manifests for the faithful, was not intended to apply to deliberately placing oneself in peril in order to force God to come to one’s rescue… Satan inferred that Psalm 91 implied divine care under every possible circumstance.  But this inference was unwarranted and incorrect.  Jesus, therefore, gathered additional scriptural evidence to show that Satan’s inference was incorrect.  In the context of Deuteronomy 6:16, God was referring to the kind of testing/tempting which the Israelites did when they murmured, grumbled, and challenged Moses to produce water – as if God was unable or unwilling.  For Jesus to have complied with Satan’s challenge would have placed Jesus in the same condition as the weak, unbelieving Israelite” (On Inferring What the Explicit Statements of the Bible Imply, p. 8).  H. Leo Boles commented, “The quotation of the devil was a scriptural quotation and applicable to himself (Jesus B.H.) and would be fulfilled in due time, but to throw oneself into unnecessary danger in order to ‘tempt’ (test B.H.) God would be a sin..” (Gospel Advocate N.T. commentary series, The Gospel According to Luke, p.95)

Furthermore, the ESV Study Bible comments, “Such a spectacular display as jumping from this great height unharmed would have gained him an enthusiastic following, but it would not have followed the Father’s messianic and redemptive plan of suffering and proclaiming the Kingdom of heaven” (Notes on Matthew 4:6-7).  What He did needed to be in harmony with God’s will.

Application for us – If we are going to successfully deal with temptation, then we must know the book, and be able to properly reason from Scripture.  The Psalmist said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

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“When It’s Your Time to Go…”

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

At times, I have been in a conversation with someone talking about death, and they say, “It was just his time to go.  When your time is up, it’s up,”  This is fatalism.  Fatalism is a doctrine that God has an exact set time for each person to die, and if they didn’t die the way they did, they still would have, somehow, died at that exact time.  It was all predetermined.

Now, it certainly is true that if God wants to bring someone down, He, through His providence can do so. Man can’t escape if such is what God wishes (cf. Ahab in 1 Kings 22:28-35 or look at Amos 5:19).

But, where is the passage that teaches that God has an exact time that He has preset for each one of us?  Where is that passage?

If fatalism is true, why is it that smokers die on average 5 – 8 years before non-smokers?  If fatalism is true, why is it that people who wear seatbelts are less likely to die in an automobile crash than those that don’t?  And I am certain that blind-folded jay-walkers trying to cross major streets and highways at night in dark clothing are more likely to die than others!! Consider the words of  Psalm 90:10, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they be eighty years…”  Watch the fact that the passage says strength, not God’s preset timetable!  Why is it that the Bible tells us how to avoid shortening our lives (Exodus 15:26; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 9:10-11; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 13:2-3; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 17:22; Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 19:23; Ephesians 6:1-3;  1 Peter 4:15)?

God is all-knowing.  But, His all knowingness does not take away man’s ability to make wise and unwise choices, even righteous and sinful choices.  I find no passage in the Bible that teaches fatalism.  Let’s not be foolishly reckless. Let us be good stewards of our lives, and let us use such for His glory.

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Onward Christian Soldier

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

In the tenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus sent the twelve out on a mission that is commonly called the limited commission.  He told them that for their preaching they would be: hated (v. 22), verbally abused (v. 25), rejected and ostracized by family (v. 21, 34-37), persecuted (v. 23), delivered up to councils and government authorities (v. 17), beaten (v. 17), and even put to death (v. 21).  In other words, there will be difficulties in this life after Christ (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12).

How were they to handle these difficulties?  First, they were instructed to recall what Christ endured (v. 24-25).  He has asked them to endure nothing above what He Himself had endured.  Second, they were called to remember that they were valuable to God (v. 31).  Regardless of how difficult things might have been, they were asked to remember that God loved them.  Third, they were to be alert and wise, yet gentle even in persecution (v. 16-17).  Four, they were to remember that this life is not all there is to man (v. 28).  There is a part of man that survives, even physical death itself.  There is an unending afterlife. Five, it was pointed out to them, that if they endured these difficulties to the end, a reward would be given them in Heaven (v. 22, 32-33).  Sixth, they could find encouragement from the fact that those that did receive them, would be rewarded (v. 41-42 cf. 1 Timothy 4:16).  “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) was their battle cry and motivation to go on.

When we face difficulties in life, let us remember these six points.  God has not promised to remove all difficulties in this life, but He certainly has given us abundant principles to help us go onward.  These seven points still apply to us today.  “Onward Christian soldier, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see His banner go!  Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before” (Song: Onward Christian Soldier by Sabine Baring-Gould).

 

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What Do I Say? (2)

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

The Muslims try to use certain Bible verses to say that the Bible foretells of Muhammad. For example: Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren.  Him you shall hear… (The LORD said) I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren…”  The context is talking about an Israelite. The reference is to Jesus (Acts 3:22-23), and not to Muhammad.  However, the point I am making is that they are reliant on the Bible when they think it helps them.

However, when one appeals to the Bible to defend what he believes as a Christian, Muslims will quickly dismiss such, claiming that the Bible has been corrupted.  They do not tell you when it was corrupted.  They do not provide you with evidence of the passage in question being corrupted.  They simply assert such without proof.  This is actually a relatively new approach.

What do you say?  (1) Ask them, if they believe that the Bible was God’s word, but has now been corrupted.  They will affirm such.  Then read from the Quran 18:27, “Proclaim what is revealed to you in the Book of your Lord.  None can change His words.”  Can man change His words?  (2) Ask them if they would agree to view the Bible as Muhammad and the Quran does.  Most likely they will not object.  Then read from the Quran 5:46-47, “We sent forth Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah already revealed, and gave him the Gospel, in which there is guidance and light, corroborating what was revealed before it in the Torah, a guide and admonition to the righteous.  Therefore, let those who follow the Gospel judge according to what God has revealed there-in.  Evil doers are those that do not base their judgments on God’s revelation.”  5:68, “Say ‘People of the Book, you will attain nothing until you observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which is revealed to you from the Lord.”  6:48, “We send forth apostles only to give good news to mankind and to warn them.  Those that believe in them and mend their ways shall have nothing to fear or to regret.  But those that deny our revelations shall be punished for their misdeeds”  Muhammad did not view the Bible as corrupted.

Do not misunderstand.  The Bible and the Quran have irreconcilable differences.  Consider a couple of differences: (1) The Bible indicates that the Messiah was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14).  The Quran denies this (5:17, 75).  (2) The Bible indicates that He was crucified for us (1 Peter 2:24).  The Quran denies the crucifixion (4:157).

However, Muhammad did not attack the Biblical text.  The only way around this is to say that it was corrupted after Muhammad.  However, such will not hold up to the textual evidence.

Why should one believe the Quran?  Consider: (1) According to the Quran Jesus provided sign, miraculous evidence (5:114; 19:29-f; 61:1-8).  This evidence confirmed that Jesus’ message was from God.  However, the Quran seems to deny such evidence for Muhammad.  Quran 29:46: “They ask: ‘Why have no signs been given  him by his Lord?  Say: ‘Signs are in the hands of God.  My mission is only to give plain warning.'” (cf. 17:90-91).  (2) The Quran claims that Jesus prophesied of Muhammad (61:1-8).  However, all we have is the Quran’s word for this.  The Bible never mentions such a prophecy from Jesus. Extra-Biblical writings from near the time of Christ do not mention this.  (3) The Old Covenant spoke of a coming New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34 cf. Hebrews 8:7-13). Where does the New Covenant ever speak of another system to come?  The Bible is complete.  The apostles were “guided into all truth” (John 16:13).  Hundreds of years before Muhammad the Bible indicates that man had been given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

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A Few Seconds of Attention

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Have you ever watched American Idol?  In the early rounds, one can hear truly horrible sounds.  In some cases it is so funny that it will quite literally cause one to roll on the floor with laughter.

Maybe, some do not know how badly they sound.  Many people are like this spiritually.  They think that they are so religious and so spiritually minded.  Even so, God is the ultimate judge (cf. Proverbs 16:2).  It is indeed possible to be self-deceived (James 1:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:3, 7; 1 John 1:8), but this is a lesson for another time.

I think that it is possible that others are simply wanting to do something outrageous in order to get on television.  They clearly have no chance of winning, but they are on television receiving a few seconds of notice and attention.

This thirst for notoriety, appetite for attention, is also seen in skimming The Guinness Book of World Records.  Some of the records within the book are legitimate feats of accomplishments; while, others seem to have no purpose other than a few seconds of attention.

Whose attention are you seeking?  The fame of the world passes away.  “He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).  Paul made it clear his aim was not to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 cf. Matthew 6:1-ff).  Let us “make our aim… to be well-pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

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Do You Exercise?

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

 One report indicates that 49.6% of American adults get physical exercise at least 30 minutes per day, three days per week; and 18.5% get physical exercise one or two days per week. (statisticsbrain.com, source WedMD, research date: 1-1-2014).  Perhaps, you are one of these – but do you exercise spiritually?

1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”  Brother Roy Deaver has put it this way, “If there is a life after this life – and there is; and if every accountable person shall stand in judgment before the Christ – and each shall; and if this life is given us that we may prepare for the life to come – and this is the case; and if the Bible is our only and all-sufficient guide in making preparation for the judgment, and the life to come – and it is; then, it has to be the case that a knowledge of the Bible is the most important factor in the life and education of an individual” (How To Study The Bible, p. ix)  Certainly, our spiritual needs are infinitely more important than our physical (Matthew 4:3-4).

And so, I ask, “Do you exercise spiritually?”  How often do you read and meditate upon God’s word?”

As the Psalmist said, so should we, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).  And as Job said, so should we, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).  And notice the words of Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”  1 Timothy 4:13 instructs, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

May we all develop a love for the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), so that we may present ourselves “approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

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Catholicism: Traditions

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Catholics reject “Sola Scriptura.”  That is, they reject the idea that authority should be derived from the Scriptures alone.  Kevin McQuaid has expressed their belief writing, “After having read the Bible cover to cover and listened to the whole of Scripture numerous times at Mass, I still have no idea where the Bible says, implicitly or explicitly, that it is the sole rule of the Christian faith” [(August 19, 2007, Letters to the Editor, Longview News Journal).  Note: McQuaid’s letter presents a dilemma.  On one hand, if one can read and interpret the Bible for oneself, then there is no need for anyone to rely upon a Magisterium interpretation.  On the other hand, if one cannot interpret the Bible for oneself, then how can he appeal to his reading of the Scriptures?  The best he should be able to say is that the Magisterium does not teach this].

The Catholics believe that authority should be derived  from “the Word of God,” and this means to them the Bible and Church Tradition. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition) states, “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God” (Paragraph 97).  Again, “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the church alone… This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome” (Paragraph 85).

Kerry Duke has described the situation in trying to study the Bible with a Catholic, saying, “If you argue, for example, that the New Testament says nothing about infant baptism, the Catholic will readily admit this.  He will add, however, that Sacred Tradition does speak of it – and this tradition is to him just a much the word of God as the Bible is.  In fact, when you cite any passage about the word of God (e.g. Matthew 24:35; John 12:48; 1 Thessalonica 2:13), the Catholic will immediately think not just of the written words of the Bible but also of the spoken word of the apostles handed down through the ages by the Catholic Church (‘tradition’).  Tradition, you see, is his trump card over any verse you quote.”  (Kerry Duke, Debate Charts on Roman Catholicism, pp. 1-2).  Moreover, “Catholicism also holds… that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Catholic Church into truth.  This doctrine is the belief that the Pope and the Bishops (who are together called ‘Magisterium’) are guided by the Holy Spirit in defining dogma for Catholic Church” (ibid).  Again, Kerry Duke explains the frustrating situation one encounters in studying with a Catholic, “Can I know what the Bible teaches by reading it?  No, the Catholic Church  must officially interpret it for you… Will the official interpretation by all that I need?  No, you need the Sacred Tradition… Okay, then I’ll study the church fathers to learn this tradition?  Will that work?  Sorry, but you must have church  Magisterium to decide dogma… Well, I’ll go to the church to get that body of ‘Sacred Tradition’ so I can study all the apostles handed down to us.  Is that okay?  Not really, because the church  really doesn’t have this body of teaching written down somewhere.  The church only ‘extracts’ truths from it as they are needed… only the Catholic Church knows this tradition… And what is your proof of these claims? (ibid, p. 17).

Let us ask…

  1. What about their appeal to oral traditions?

The Pharisees of old also believed in the authority of oral traditions, which were supposedly passed down from Moses. Jesus scolded them “Why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions? …You have made the commandment of God no effect by your traditions” (Matthew 15:3, 6; Mark 7:9, 13). Jesus made a distinction between “the word of God” and “your tradition” (Mark 7:13). Their tradition put them in conflict with God’s written word (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13). It is in this context Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13, “In vain do they worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7). Which of their oral traditions did Jesus tell the people to keep? Where is the evidence that God bound such?

It might be objected that the Pharisees were following “fake traditions” or “abusing traditions,” but that they are not. Asserting such is not the same as proving such. Proof is needed (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

In the Bible, we are told that it is the “Scripture” (that is – writing, inspired writing) which makes us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). Why do we need these traditions?

It might be objected that not all things which Jesus did and said are recorded in the Scripture. Such is true (John 20:30-31; 21:25). Moreover, the same could be said of the apostles. However, enough has been revealed (John 20:30-31; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

  1. What about Moses’ seat?

Some have appealed to the fact that the Scribes and Pharisees are described as sitting in “Moses’ seat” as evidence that they were entrusted with the oral traditions. Such is an assertion, but not proof. “Moses’ seat” may simply mean that they were teachers of the Law of Moses (cf. John 3:10; Acts 13:27; 15:21; Romans 2:21-24). There is no passage which suggests that Jesus or God ever viewed the Pharisees oral traditions as from God, and thus binding.

  1. What about apostolic traditions which are mentioned in the Scriptures?

Let us consider: a) 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” The traditions (teachings which were handed down) came unto those at Thessalonica in both word (oral inspired teaching cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:5), and by way of epistle (written inspired teaching). Prior to the complete New Testament canon coming forth, there were inspired men who proclaimed the message. It is important to understand that the oral message did not differ in content from the written word which would come forth (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; 3:10). Paul both spoke and wrote of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15). There is no evidence that salvation depends on our having knowledge of certain information not recorded in the scriptures. The Scriptures makes us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). b) 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” Paul had shown them how to behave (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9). He had taught them orally (2 Thessalonians 4:11-12). He had also written to them on this same subject (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 3:14). Absolutely, nothing here suggests that this ‘tradition’ involved things that we should know, but which are not recorded in the Scriptures.

  1. Are all man-made traditions wrong?

No. The word “tradition” refers to something which has been “handed down.” Traditions fall into three categories. a) Some traditions are evil. I have heard of traditions which are in clear violation of the Scriptures. I have heard of traditions which add to or take from what God requires. These traditions should be avoided (Galatians 1:6-10; Acts 15:1-5, ff; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19; 2 John 9). b) Some traditions are good, such as teaching that respect is to be shown to the aged (Proverbs 16:31; 1 Timothy 5:1). This is in harmony with the Scriptures. It is good to keep such traditions. c) Most traditions are neutral, such as wearing solemn colors at a funeral. In general, it is good to keep such traditions lest one cause unnecessary offense.

However, man-made traditions are not our authority in religion. Marion Fox explains, “The first reason that traditions are to be rejected as proper authority in religion is they have led some men to sin (Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23). The second reason that traditions are to be rejected as proper authority in religion is they have caused some to wrongfully accuse others of sin (Matthew 15:1-9 and Mark 7:1-5). The third reason for rejecting traditions is people have engaged in vain worship as a result of traditions (Matthew 15:18-19 and Mark 7:6-7). The fourth reason for rejecting traditions is people have made void the word of God because of them (Matthew 15:4-6 and Mark 7:10-13). The fifth reason for rejecting traditions is they have made spoil of Christians (Colossians 2:8). The word ‘spoil’ (sulagogeo) means, “…to carry off as a captive (and slave), …Thayer” (The Work of the Holy Spirit, Vol. 1., page 98).

We should distinguish between optional matters (how the collection is taken up, whether by plate or hat… how many songs we sing before the first prayer… the hour on Sunday that we choose to assemble, etc.) and obligatory matters (things like what is ethically taught in the Bible… the plan of salvation… the organization of the church… how we worship, etc.).  Traditions in optional matters are acceptable, for God has not specified; though, we should be very careful not to treat optional matters as if they were obligatory matters.  However, obligatory matters must not be changed or interfered with by human tradition.

5.  What about their appeal to continuous revelation?

Why we should believe their claim over the claims of others? The Mormons have the Bible plus the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and continuous revelation through the church today. The Seventh-Day Adventist have the Bible plus the writings of Ellen G. White. The Muslim have the Bible plus the Quran. Multitudes of protestants urge man to take the Bible and their creed book. The Jehovah Witnesses have the Bible plus their Watchtower writings. So, I would suggest that it is proper for us to press for an answer as to why we should accept their extra-Biblical traditions and revelations, and not these others.

Concerning the subject of continuous revelation: A careful study of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 helps one to see that revelation wasn’t to continue to come forth forever. It is beyond our scope to study this passage in detail just here… But consider the words of Kerry Duke, “What is the ‘perfect thing’? The counterpart to that which is in part, the miraculous gifts. Since verse 8 and 9 refer to modes of revelation which are ‘in part’, verse 10 must refer to a mode of revelation which is complete (teleion). This complete avenue of revelation replaced these temporary, miraculous, and oral means of revelation. It is the New Testament, the written word of God which is the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25) and which furnishes a person to every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17)” [Debate charts on Roman Catholicism, p. 88].

Sometimes Catholics object that they are not arguing for continual revelation, but continual guidance. It is claimed that the organization of the Roman Catholic church was revealed by the dual authority of the Bible and oral tradition. No new revelation can come along to change this. However, now that it is in place the Holy Spirit guides the Roman Catholic church. Listen to Kerry Duke, “Strangely, Catholics cite John 16:13 in proof of this claim. Of course, this verse in context was spoken to the apostles, and it is the promise of the revelation of truth, not guidance to truth already revealed but not yet realized or perhaps needed as the Catholic church claims. This fact is evident from the preceding verse… (v. 12).   Also, verse 13… Jesus does not use the word ‘revelation’ here, but this is what is described, since revelation is a disclosure, a making known of things not previously known” (ibid, p. 22). Whatever they call it they’re speaking continuous revelation.

In the Bible, we’re told that it is the “Scripture” (that is writing, inspired writing) which is given “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It sounds sufficient.

Additionally, let us ask: “If we did what those in the first century were told was necessary for salvation (in passages like Acts 2:36-38; 3:19; 22:16, etc.). Would we be saved? If not, why not? What is written is said to be adequate for belief and eternal life (John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13).

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Catholicism: Interpreting the Bible

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Catholics do not believe that the Bible can be properly understood apart from the Magisterium, that is, the guidance of the Pope and the Bishops of the Catholic Church.  Catechism of the Catholic Church (second edition) states, “The task of interpreting the word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is to the Pope and to the Bishops in communion with him” (Paragraph 100; see also, Paragraph 85).

Let us ask…

1.  Can man understand the message of God without a Magisterium?

I find no evidence that under the Old Testament system one needed a Magisterium to interpret the Scriptures.  I do find the word of God being read both privately, and publicly (Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 17:19; 31:19; Joshua 8:34-35; 2 Kings 22:8, 10-11, 16-17; 23:2-3; 2 Chronicles 34:18-19, 24-25, 30-33; Nehemiah 8:1-8; 9:1-3; 13:1-3).  I do find it said, “The entrance of Your words give light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Palm 119:130). I do find Jesus saying things like: “have you not read” (Matthew 12:3; 12:5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; 22:31; 24:15), and “it is written” (Matthew 4:4; 4:7; 4:10; 11:10; 21:13; 26:24; 26:31), and “you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matthew 22:29).  If there were a Magisterium under the Old Testament system, who were they?  “Were they: Elders of Israel? No – Matthew 15:1-2; Scribes and Pharisees?  No – Matthew 15:13-14; Sadducees? No -Matthew 22:23-32; Lawyers?  No – Luke 11:45-52; Chief Priests?  No – Matthew 27:20 (Kerry Duke, Debate Charts on Roman Catholicism, page 119).

I find no evidence that Jesus pointed anyone to a Magisterium.  He taught that individuals could rightly discern (Luke 7:43).  He said, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak from My own authority” (John 7:17).  The common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37).  They were not pointed to the Magisterium.

I find no evidence that under the New Testament system one needs a Magisterium to interpret the Scriptures.  The Bereans, we are told, “Searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).  Paul, at a synagogue in Thessalonica, “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2).  He told Christians, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  He wrote, “When you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4).  Three times Paul asked, “What does the Scriptures say” (Romans 4:3; 11:2; Galatians 4:30).  He expected the reader to know.  The writer of Hebrews said that was possible for one to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), and also to know the scriptures well enough to teach others (Hebrews 5:12).  John warned, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).  I do not read of a Magisterium of official interpretation, but I do read that the individual is to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing (handling accurately – ESV) the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

2.  Why should we believe their claim over the claims of others?

The Roman Catholics say that you need them to understand the Bible.  However, the Jehovah Witnesses say the same.  They have written, “Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the ‘Scripture studies’ aside even after he has use them, after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years – if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, although he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the ‘Scripture Studies’ with references and had not read a page of the Bible as such, he would be in the light at the end of two years…” (Charles Taze Russel, The Watchtower, September 15, 1910, page 298 – quoted in McDowell and Stewart’s Handbook of Today’s Religions, page 45). Again, they have written, “The Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible… The Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind” (The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 587- quoted by Kerry Duke in Debate Charts on Roman Catholicism, page 28).  Furthermore, the Mormons have similar claims of special guidance.  They have said, “No one in this church will ever go astray who ties himself securely to the church authorities” (In Conference Report, April 1951, page 104 – quoted by Kerry Duke in Debate Chart on Roman Catholicism, page 32).  The common thread is do not interpret things, trust us.

3.  What about 2 Peter 1:20-21?

Catholics sometimes cite this passage in an effort to get us to understand that one cannot understand the Bible without the Magisterium. It is a self-contradictory argument. When they cite the passage, they expect us to understand it to teach we cannot understand the Bible by ourselves. Well then, how do they expect us to understand the passage to which they appeal?

If one would take time to read verse 21, and compare it with verse 20, the context should become clear. The passage is not discussing how to understand revelation; but, instead, the passage is discussing how revelation was received. McCord’s translation renders it “know this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of anyone’s own release, for no prophecy was ever borne by the will of man; but men, being borne by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God.” The point is this: men of old did not examine the world around them, and from that draw predictions about the future. No, prophecy is of a different nature. These men of old saw things that they could never have known by the current events of their day. They received their information by the inspiration of God.

4.  What about division?

The major objection served up is division. How can man be left to himself to interpret the Scriptures? One man reads a passage and understands it one way; another reads the same passage and understands it another way. One man reads the Bible and sees from it the necessity of baptism for salvation; another reads the Bible and does not conclude such.

Please understand that I am not claiming that all who read the Bible will understand the Bible alike, but I am saying it’s possible to read and properly understand. In Jesus’ day the Sadducees and Pharisees differed over the afterlife, and other matters (Acts 23:8; Matthew 22:23-24). They were divided, and no Magisterium settled the matter. Another example: think of what Peter wrote of Paul’s writings. He said, “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which they that are untaught (unlearned KJV, ignorant ASV) and unstable people twist (wrest KJV) to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Please note the following: a) Paul’s writings are called Scripture [Note: The term appears 52 times in the New Covenant and is invariably used of the inspired scriptures cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17].  b) Peter claims that he and Paul wrote of the same point. c) Peter acknowledges that some of Paul’s writings were very challenging. He did not say that all that Paul wrote was hard to understand, but some of the things he wrote were hard to understand. Notice also, Peter did not say impossible, but he said hard. God has given to us a challenging book. It requires mental exercise and effort to understand (cf. Proverbs 2:1-5). I personally believe this is part of the spiritual test He has placed before us. d) The reason that men do not understand: 1) some are unlearned (ignorant ASV). They simply do not spend enough time in study of the word of God. 2) Others are unstable (2 Peter 3:16 cf. 2:14). They are not well grounded enough to withstand false teaching. One of the methods of a false teacher is to appeal through what the people want to hear – that is, appeal through the hearers’ lustful appetites, and egos (Isaiah 30:10; Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11; John 3:19; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 3:6; 4:3; Jude 4, 16). Many want to be religious; they want to think they are serving God, but in reality, they more want to serve their own selves. e) They twist (wrest KJV) the Bible from its intended meaning. Notice, this is done not only with the difficult, hard to understand portions; but also, it is done even with the simple passages.

Each of us are left to interpret the scriptures for ourselves. We should do so with great care (2 Timothy 2:15; Philippians 2:12), for one day we will stand before the Great Judge and give account.

The attitude we should have in our studies is a “will to do His will” (John 7:17). We truly need a good and honest heart to succeed spiritually (Luke 8:15).

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