It was the opening shot to the war that was begun way back in the Garden and still rages today. The serpent asked Eve, "Did God really say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?” (Gen 3;1) Eve's answer was ... weak. And it was all downhill from there. The next step was obvious. 1) Question God. 2) Deny God. Deny His faithfulness, His integrity, His goodness. "He's holding out on you!" (Gen 3:2-5) So I was wondering. What would have been a better answer. I mean, you know Satan will come stomping around your doorstep slyly asking, "Did God really say ...:?" and you're going to have to give a better answer than Eve did. (Note: Just as Satan's question was partially right, Her answer was partially wrong. God never said "neither shall you touch it," revealing an underlying concern that God was being overly harsh already.) So let's try out a few you might hear and see what we can do to improve on Eve's answer.
"Did God really say what is in the Bible?" Yes, He did. Paul claims that all Scripture is "God-breathed" (2 Tim 3:16-17). "Inspired" is the word a lot of versions use, but what is intended in the language is "breathed out" -- the "exhaled" Word of God. When we trust God's Word to be reliable, we aren't trusting humans or history or tradition; we're trusting God. When we do not trust God's Word to be reliable, we are not distrusting humans or tradition; we are distrusting God.
"Did God really say there is only one way to heaven?" Yes, He did. Explicitly. Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Peter stated, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). No other way but one.
"Did God really say we would suffer?" Yes, He did. Indeed, we were promised it, not merely warned about it. James said we should be joyful about it (James 1:2-4). Peter said that suffering was God's will (1 Peter 3:17), so don't be surprised (1 Peter 4:12). Paul said we were granted suffering for Christ (Phil 1:29). A gift! And we know without doubt that if and when it happens, it is for our good (Rom 8:28).
"Did God really say to forgive others or not expect to be forgiven myself?" Yes, indeed, He did. Jesus said, "If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt 6:14-15).
"Did God really say there is a Hell?" Yes, He did. Jesus spoke more about Hell than Heaven. He described it as "the fire that never shall be quenched" (Mark 9:43-48; Matt 18:8), "eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29), "a place of torment" (Luke 16:28), "outer darkness" (Matt 8:12) and "everlasting punishment" (Matt 25:46). It is not fictional, trivial, or temporary. It is not a place you want to go to be with your friends, nor is it a place you can rule despite all the trite claims to the contrary.
"Did God really say that homosexual behavior was sin?" Yes, yes He did. Without doubt or question. He said those who make a practice of such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10). Our concern, then, is for the eternal welfare of those who practice things like sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, and, yes, homosexual behavior.
"Did God really say that women are not permitted to lead men in the church?" Yes, He did (1 Tim 2:12-14). "Did He really say that wives must submit to husbands, even husbands who aren't faithful?" Indeed He did (Eph 5:22-24; 1 Peter 3:1). "Okay, then God really demeans women, doesn't He?" No! He considers them "joint heirs" (1 Peter 3:7), equal in value (Gal 3:28). God holds Adam, not Eve, responsible for the first sin (1 Tim 2:13-14). Women are to be protected and cared for, not demeaned.
This can go on and on and on. Scripture is not vague. Our problem is not that what God said isn't clear. Our problem is our willingness to question God, His Word, His faithfulness, His integrity, His goodness. And when we do, we cannot be said to be loving God, no matter what name (like "Christian") we apply to ourselves.
6 comments:
If you cannot attack the scriptures, then just marginalize the messenger.
to attack the scriptures one has to have a somewhat reasonable idea of whats in them, whereas to attack the messenger all you have to do is recall his year book and ask the question,
"what do you mean by the word Barf..? "
Marginalizing the Messenger, in this case, I believe is the point.
"Scripture is not vague."
Unless you need it to be because what it is teaching is inconvenient. Then, it's totally incomprehensible, and by golly, we just can't know what it means. (end of sarcasm)
Yes, where "vague" is understood to mean "What I'm willing to accept."
It also seems to me, that those who follow the scripture vaguely would also present a case for not really being of Christian faith. Picking and choosing parts to follow or not. Does that also include those who demand that God and his scriptures change so that their lifestyle will fit a scripture to their liking? Is that not galling and arrogant to presume that the scripture can be changed to fit man's ideals, not God's? Those who think that should probably relearn what faith was meant be.
What he said.
Post a Comment