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INTERPRETATION VS APPLICATION

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INTERPRETATION VS APPLICATION
Application

“… nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” 2 Corinthians 4:2.

Interpretation is the explanation of exactly what the text meant when it was written. It must include the historical, doctrinal, dispensational and prophetical meaning of the text. One cannot be loose and opinionated when seeking the true interpretation of a passage. He must be guided by the rules of biblical hermeneutics, rightly dividing the Scriptures, knowing what is literal, and what is symbolic. Interpretation is one thing; application is something altogether different.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Application is imperative, but it must conform to the doctrine of the dispensation we are in today.[/pullquote]

There is no way to measure the damage done to believers through faulty application. The above picture illustrates this. This slight-of-hand is done when the preacher chooses a text and then preaches a topic or subject that has absolutely nothing to do with the chosen text. This art is so cleverly done that the average Christian thinks the text actually teaches what is being taught. No doubt, in some cases, the preacher thinks so himself.

Examples of this are seen when a text is read and then the preacher preaches his own preferences, church tradition or denominational views. You can identify this when he veers off to subjects like, how Christians should dress, what music they can listen to, what music and musical instruments can be used in the church and the sin of using Power Point. They think the Bible is opposed to promotions and special events to reach the lost. There is no end to the “do not’s” from this crowd. They think the Scriptures actually support their teaching on these and other like subjects. It does not!

Application is imperative when preaching, but all application must conform to the doctrines of the dispensation we are in today, and to the Scriptures. To do otherwise, is to handle the Word of God deceitfully for one’s own ends.

My advice is that one listen intently and test all preaching by this dispensation of grace to ensure that he or she is not being controlled or misinformed by a pastor who uses the Bible for his own ends rather than teaching exactly what it says. Remember, the marks of a cult are to use the Bible to control his followers.

IF GOD KNEW, WHY DID HE CREATE?

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IF GOD KNEW, WHY DID HE CREATE?

Why did He createRecently, in a doctor’s office, I engaged an elderly gentleman in conversation. He asked what line of work I was in. I told him I was a pastor. He said he would like to ask me a question and wanted to know if it would be ok. I assured him it was. He said, “What is this all about? If God knows everything, He knew all the evil that people would do. If that is true, why create in the first place?” I assured him that his was a common question, and since God knew everything that was going to happen, He must have anticipated his question also.

I asked him, “Do you have children of your own?” He said he had two sons and a daughter. I said, “Would you prefer they have free will, or be programmed as robots? Also, why do you think couples would plan to have children when they know these children will have trouble throughout life, get sick and ultimately die? In addition, every parent knows their child will sin and do wrong, bringing grief to others and to themselves? Why would they go ahead, in the face of these facts, and have children? Yet, with free will, the parents are not responsible for the choices of the children” He did not answer the question.

“The answer”, I said, “is, they want offspring they can love and provide for. The only thing parents expect in return is love and a life of gratitude that does not shame their family name. This is also why God created Man. God did not cause any of the grief or misery in this world. He created us with a free will and we did the rest. He knew we would sin; but in spite of that, knowledge does not remove free will. God has expressed His love to us a thousand ways, the greatest being the incarnation and crucifixion.” The gentleman had no answers or questions.

God will never give us the answer to all our questions, but enough has been given to render every man without excuse. You can know all you need to know to settle the sin question and the purpose question. The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29.

IT’S ONLY A SHADOW

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valley of death

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

The shadow holds no fear for me.

It’s just a moment in time.

When the Son shines from on high,

It flees, leaving no sign.

 

The valley’s brief and shallow,

A door to a peaceful land.

And no one walks through alone.

There is One who holds my hand.

 

Though wild beast may dwell there,

And deep waters rage below,

Thy rod and staff, they comfort,

While my cup, it overflows.

 

Protected under Your wings,

You will forsake us, never.

Thus I will fear no evil,

And live with You forever!

 

 

MORALITY AND MORONS

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MORALITY AND MORONS

monkeysBy Ken Blue

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” 2 Timothy 2:14.

Words have no meaning without a context, and the context is determined by the culture, or the text under discussion. This rule must be followed when reading any article or the Bible. There are standards in the Old Testament, and in Middle East today that would be abhorred in other cultures. The possession of multiple wives was practiced from the beginning of time, and still practiced in some parts of the world. We, in western society today, would abhor such practices. The same may be said of slavery. Our greatest error may be our interpretation based, not on Scripture, but on our own culture.

In Islam, the only acceptable dress to be worn in public is the hijab. Women of the Old Testament may have worn something similar. One could not be accused of immodesty who adhered to that custom. They were modest in dress.

Every person should be modest in appearance, and moral in behavior. We have no argument about that.  However, the only acceptable rule for this is the Bible, rightly divided.  It ought to be evident to the reader that one can make the Bible teach anything he or she likes, or dislikes, when right divisions are ignored.

It is such a weariness of the mind when we see how men ignore right division. Such words as modesty, morality, godly, standards, glorify, dress, hair, etc. must be interpreted within the context of right divisions, and the culture in question.

Every Christian makes divisions in Scripture when it suits his purpose. Right divisions may be the KEY to right understanding of Scripture, and we are commanded to do so. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”
1 Corinthians 10:32.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Such words as modesty, morality, godly, standards, glorify, dress, hair, etc. must be interpreted within the context of right divisions, and the culture in question.[/pullquote]

We must know what is written to/for the Jew, to the Gentile, and to the Church. Some will quote, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11. True, all the Bible is written for our learning. But, not all is an ensample for us to follow. The context is about Jews in the wilderness.

The word “ashamed” in 2 Timothy 2:15 is clarified in verse 18.   Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching that the resurrection of the Saints had past. This was an example of wrong division. If these two were saved, they, along with  all they had deceived will be ashamed at the judgment. Right division would correct this error.

One can see that the Bible is not chronological, but divided by subject matter. For example, the first five books are Law.  The next 12 are history.  The next five are poetry. The next five are major prophecy. The last 12 are Minor Prophets. The division is 5-12-5-5-12=39. In the Gospels through Acts, the five books are history in transition. They are Jewish, with the exception of the last half of Acts. Following these, you have the writings of the Apostle Paul. Paul was called and commissioned like no other man. He also wrote all the church epistles. It is from these the church receives all doctrine for itself. Doctrine from any other scripture must agree with these epistles, when we make application.

This bring us to another truth; Paul never put one day above another, neither did he dictate any dress specifics, nor any diet for the Gentiles. Paul was the Apostle of the administration of grace. This is not a license to sin, but it is liberty from the laws and commandments.

Many pastors are on a “power trip.” They act as if an infallible Bible makes them infallible. They have this need to have followers and to control of others. This is best illustrated through their mishandling of the Word of God. That is, by ignoring right divisions.

This brings us to our last point, the matter of using Scripture under the Law to tell women how to dress, while ignoring what it says in the context to men. God has made the husband the head of the wife. Thus, the husband and father should deal with these issues. It is these wrong divisions that has, and is creating division and animosity among the brethren. I have found that those with whom you don’t agree on Deut. 22:5 can’t practice 1 John 4:20. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20. I am aware that I have taken 1 John out of context, but no one will notice.

Morality and modesty is right and expected. But, we need to stop pretending that the West is the standard. God said, concerning days and diets, “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:2-5 . Our misuse of Scripture, and inability to make right divisions, makes us look like morons now, and will make us ashamed at the judgment.

ANTI-SCRIPTURAL AND UN-SCRIPTURAL

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Scriptural “un” or “anti”

scripturalBy Ken Blue

Some preachers are slick as a Philadelphia lawyer. Others are simply followers. In former days when one said a behavior or teaching was un-scriptural he understood it was contrary to the clear teaching of the Word of God and not acceptable. In fact, the prefix “un” means not. So, un-scriptural meant an action or teaching was not scriptural or acceptable. However, another word has been resurrected to counter that idea. That word is, anti-scriptural. The prefix, “anti” means opposed.

This allows us to justify everything we approve or condemn. I may argue that soundtracks are not un-scriptural because there is not a Bible verse that specifically deals with that subject. But, another may counter saying, “they are anti-scriptural because they are worldly, thus we are opposed to them.” If I say there are no musical instruments forbidden in Scripture, the anti-scriptural argument will show that men of the world use them, and we oppose them.

Another example is having screens and Power Point. By accusing those churches of becoming movie theaters, they are like the world and therefore are anti-scriptural.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]By using the argument that a thing is or is not anti-scriptural, one can slip anything under the door, or block it as they please.[/pullquote]

At Open Door we install an espresso stand, and tables so members could visit and fellowship after the services. Since opponents could not find a Bible verse condemning it as un-scriptural, they deemed it as anti-scriptural since the world has established espresso stands everywhere. That’s how it works?

By using the argument that a thing is or is not anti-scriptural, I can slip anything under the door, or block it as I please. I am sure that many of the brethren who use this argument have not thought it through.
Therefore, we may say an action is not un-scriptural, because there is not a verse against it. However, another may counter by saying, it is anti-scriptural because we oppose it.

 

A few examples of how the anti-scriptural can be used when there is no specific verse making it un-scriptural. Are the Scriptures opposed to the following?

  1. Smoking cigarettes.
  2. Coffee and diet Coke.
  3. Driving over the speed limit.
  4. Hunting to kill animals for sport.
  5. Gambling and playing cards.
  6. Spending money on sports and entertainment.

I’m sure that each person will decide for himself what is anti-scriptural. That’s what others do, and that statement is neither un or anti.