Do You Handle the Word of God Correctly?

THOUGHT FOR TODAY!

It has been said that much of the truth of the Bible is uncovered only by hard work and demanding study. Fresh and significant aspects of the cultures within which the Bible was written are constantly being discovered, throwing new light even on well-known passages; the vocation of biblical and theological study is therefore tremendously important. But, even if that more specialist calling is for comparatively few, all Christians are called to use their minds to the full and to work at the Bible with such capacity and opportunity as they have. There is no substitute for hard work of the Word of God!

Many Christians, when asked about in depth Bible study, difficult subjects in God’s Word, or the study of doctrine often say, “why even discuss it? Just read it. It says what it says”. Well, to that I offer this; Dr. Norman Geisler, professor of Apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary, when asked in a question & answer forum if Christians are justified in arguing for the absolute nature of truth, should there not at the same time, be humility about our finitude and general inability to discover truth? He said he was at a Bible conference in Michigan many years ago, and another gentlemen and he were having a friendly dialogue on a certain topic, and obviously they did not agree. So through a series of probing and discussion, they both agreed that they had in common the following; both believed the Bible is the infallible Word of God. Both had an infallible interpretation of the Bible. Both believed that God is infinite. And lastly, both believed that each had an infinite understanding of the Word of God. What they concluded is both agreed that neither could have an infallible interpretation, even though they both have an infallible Bible. Why? Dr. Geisler said that he has changed his mind 4 times on who the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 are. He has held  4 different views over the last 40 years. He said he had to be wrong 3 times. And, he may be wrong now! Interesting!

J.I. Packer said, “It has been said that a habit of personal Bible study makes the study of theology unnecessary. But in fact you penalize yourself as a Christian by not studying theology, for theology (that is, an overall grasp of Bible teaching) enriches Bible study enormously. How? By enabling you to see more of what is there in each passage”.

By virtue of being born again we have all begun to know God and therefore have a certain understanding of His nature and actions. We all have a theology of sorts, whether or not we have ever sat down and pieced it together. So, properly understood, theology is NOT for a few religious eggheads with a flair for abstract debate – it is EVERYBODY’S business. Once we have grasped this, our duty is to become the best theologians we can to the glory of God, as our understanding of God and His ways are clarified and deepened through studying the book He has given for that very purpose, the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)

In closing, bad theology infects the heart with misbelief and unbelief, the spiritual equivalents of multiple sclerosis. Many who ran well have been progressively paralyzed through ingesting bad theology, and the danger remains, brothers & sisters. So, if our passion for truth does not imply a passion for obedience to truth, then we are not really serious about it.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2: 15