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What about commentaries and other resources that people make, for
helping us to study the Bible? Can
they be of value to a disciple of Jesus? Do we have to ignore them?
This section focuses on such issues.
Much of our focus will be on man-made teachings and the misuse of the Bible,
for this is where our problem tends to be. However, we do not want to
deny that there can be value in helps and resources - if we keep
them in their proper place.
Note that these issues apply even to the way you use this "Journal"!
(Don't place it above the authority of the Bible.)
The following of "Tradition" |
The word "tradition" refers to teachings and instructions
which are "handed down" to us - and the big issue is where they
originally came from. Are they from
God (by way of the apostles and prophets) or from people? If from God, we
have a moral obligation to accept them; if from people, we have a
moral obligation to reject them at any point where they disagree
with God. [In this context, we are not dealing with things such
as "family traditions," or harmless customs and practices that people
may choose to have (such as having a "Thanksgiving dinner tradition" once a year),
but with teachings about life, godliness, where we came from, etc.] |
HTML / PDF |
The use of Scripture to
Promote "Fads" [a look at one example] |
There are many fads, lifestyles and viewpoints
that people claim are the "Christian" way. They often say
that the Bible supports their teachings, or even demands that we follow them.
Often they will try to use Scripture to support their claims. This article
looks at one specific example of this, but many others could be used. In
this case, certain people were using 1 Corinthians 6:20 to "prove" that
Christians needed to participate in their particular "health fad," (one that
emphasized certain exercise activities), in order to be in the "will of
God." The
issue I am opposing isn't whether or not we should exercise
our bodies. Rather, it is about the way people use Scripture to
promote their viewpoints, as well as the way they often exalt their
opinions above the direct commands of God. |
HTML (a group of pages) / To the PDF's |
The Bible says (as an example for us to follow):
Now these [people in Berea] were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the
mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were
so. (Act 17:11)
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