I realize in writing this blog that this subject will be limited to those who have some understanding of what it means to restrict your thoughts and remarks to certain boundaries. A context sets limits as to how you can use the contains. The contains must stay with the context.
Of course, I am speaking of the Bible in this blog and the context I am referring to is the context/limits of the Bible itself. What I may have to say about the Bible must agree to the context or it is on its own. I may have a lot to say about a subject that the Bible discusses but if I began to form my own context and leave the Bible's context behind I have entered the realm of philosophy. Philosophy being understood here as to what I think in my own mind about a subject. This is philosophy and no longer within the bounds of the Bible's context.
Why is this so important? Our Christian faith has its roots in the Bible. We believe what we believe because of what the Bible has to say to us. The moment I depart from the Bible and began to teach or preach something other than what the Bible says I am on my own and my personal philosophy will allow me to form my own beliefs.
This departure from the context of the Bible as the sole authority of the Christian faith has brought great confusion into the "Christian" world. Strange and contradictory teachings are being heard within the ranks of the Christian faith. For example, the context of the Bible clearly states that there is only one way to heaven. And yet we hear within the Christian faith those who say there are many ways to heaven. You can not have it both ways. These two teachings contradict each other.
It is obvious that someone has departed from the context of the Bible. Either the context tells us that there are many ways or there is only one way. This one teaching brings to the fore front the important of the context. What does the context tell us about this one teaching? If we can not depend on the context to give us an answer we are in trouble. The trouble being that all teachings of the Christian faith can be brought into question. The context is our security. It is our only authority. Otherwise, it is everyman for himself and his own philosophy.
Here is a basic rule that can not be departed from: All interpretation of scripture must agree perfectly with the context of the Bible as a whole and not in part. If the interpretation we expound does not agree with the context of the Bible then it is wrong and has to be wrong. The creditability of the Bible as the word of God will have come into question. There is ONE context and only one. The Bible has a God given context and a departure from it becomes non-christian.
Increasingly this departure from the context of the Bible is causing great confusion within the Christian faith. Some examples are the one I have already referred to and that is that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Many within the Christian faith are saying there are many ways. This is contradictory. Others will say that Jesus was not born of the virgin Mary. The Bible says He was. Something is wrong here. Both positions can not be true. Some will say we do not need a Savior at all but the Bible's context tells us every man needs a Savior.
I could go on and on with these contradictory teachings we are hearing today. They are totally out of the context of the Bible's message and yet still want to be known as Christian. This is causing great confusion amount the followers of Christ. Many are becoming so confused by these teachers that they are leaving the Christian faith altogether.
A strong warning that appears repeatedly in the Bible is that there would be false prophets within the ranks of the Christian faith that would cause great confusion. To quote one of Jesus' warnings, "False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect." (Matthew 24:24) Be careful what you hear. Does the sweet sounding teachings that please our ears have a Bible context or is it merely beautifully sounding philosophy that makes us feel good.
The context is the key to the truth of the Bible. Teachings must remind within that context or it becomes misleading to the point of a person losing their way. It is happening in pulpits within the Christian faith. It is more than just alarming it is endangering the destiny of the souls of men.
Of course, I am speaking of the Bible in this blog and the context I am referring to is the context/limits of the Bible itself. What I may have to say about the Bible must agree to the context or it is on its own. I may have a lot to say about a subject that the Bible discusses but if I began to form my own context and leave the Bible's context behind I have entered the realm of philosophy. Philosophy being understood here as to what I think in my own mind about a subject. This is philosophy and no longer within the bounds of the Bible's context.
Why is this so important? Our Christian faith has its roots in the Bible. We believe what we believe because of what the Bible has to say to us. The moment I depart from the Bible and began to teach or preach something other than what the Bible says I am on my own and my personal philosophy will allow me to form my own beliefs.
This departure from the context of the Bible as the sole authority of the Christian faith has brought great confusion into the "Christian" world. Strange and contradictory teachings are being heard within the ranks of the Christian faith. For example, the context of the Bible clearly states that there is only one way to heaven. And yet we hear within the Christian faith those who say there are many ways to heaven. You can not have it both ways. These two teachings contradict each other.
It is obvious that someone has departed from the context of the Bible. Either the context tells us that there are many ways or there is only one way. This one teaching brings to the fore front the important of the context. What does the context tell us about this one teaching? If we can not depend on the context to give us an answer we are in trouble. The trouble being that all teachings of the Christian faith can be brought into question. The context is our security. It is our only authority. Otherwise, it is everyman for himself and his own philosophy.
Here is a basic rule that can not be departed from: All interpretation of scripture must agree perfectly with the context of the Bible as a whole and not in part. If the interpretation we expound does not agree with the context of the Bible then it is wrong and has to be wrong. The creditability of the Bible as the word of God will have come into question. There is ONE context and only one. The Bible has a God given context and a departure from it becomes non-christian.
Increasingly this departure from the context of the Bible is causing great confusion within the Christian faith. Some examples are the one I have already referred to and that is that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Many within the Christian faith are saying there are many ways. This is contradictory. Others will say that Jesus was not born of the virgin Mary. The Bible says He was. Something is wrong here. Both positions can not be true. Some will say we do not need a Savior at all but the Bible's context tells us every man needs a Savior.
I could go on and on with these contradictory teachings we are hearing today. They are totally out of the context of the Bible's message and yet still want to be known as Christian. This is causing great confusion amount the followers of Christ. Many are becoming so confused by these teachers that they are leaving the Christian faith altogether.
A strong warning that appears repeatedly in the Bible is that there would be false prophets within the ranks of the Christian faith that would cause great confusion. To quote one of Jesus' warnings, "False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect." (Matthew 24:24) Be careful what you hear. Does the sweet sounding teachings that please our ears have a Bible context or is it merely beautifully sounding philosophy that makes us feel good.
The context is the key to the truth of the Bible. Teachings must remind within that context or it becomes misleading to the point of a person losing their way. It is happening in pulpits within the Christian faith. It is more than just alarming it is endangering the destiny of the souls of men.
Well said, Ptr. Gerry....must be preached to many preachers out there (whether they know it or not that they're already "out of Bible context"); and for us lay people, be more discerning. Thank you for writing this! Glory to God!
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