02/09/14 RESPONSIBLE STUDY OF THE WORD

02/09/14 RESPONSIBLE STUDY OF THE WORD

I understand the idea that we need to know what the Bible means, but knowing and accepting what it says is our first need. Linguistics, history, context, culture and word studies are important, but God has made His word, His will and His way clear enough, and simple enough for all men to understand, especially people who are Christians.

For instance, there should be no confusion or doubt concerning the Biblical teaching about the physical resurrection of the body. Yet basic Bible truth has been lost in today's world of subjectivity and suppossed scholarship.

It is sad and it is scary.

A person who has been saved, for even a short time, should be able to explain basic Christian beliefs. Having the ability to state and articulate Biblical truth is a shared responsibility between pastor and parishioner. The pastor should be teaching his people the fundamentals (and the finer points) of the Christian faith (Biblical, doctrinal and practical) and the parishioner should be grasping and pursuing knowledge, wisdom and understanding of spiritual truths. If a person is not getting thoroughly equipped in Christian truth and ministry in his church, he needs to find a church that meets the bill. This does not mean he should go to a church with a great program, if the doctrine is not Biblical. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer churches that provide a Biblical experience.

I will tell you how important it is. It is important enough to align education, career and other priorities behind spiritual fulfillment. People will go across the country to get the best education they can get; they will go to the other side of the world to get the job they want; they will sacrifice family, comfort, health and God to obtain the fame and pleasures they want. People need to put God first, and then let everything else fit into place. This is even more urgent for parents. They need to move heaven and earth to put their child in the best Christian environment possible, especially today, as a post-Christian and hostile world rises up.