Hermeneutics: Interpreting Scripture

[NOV25]

Okay, here is what I spit:

The kerygma/GRFS should be every Christian’s creed, and only belief in this crucial truth should be viewed as a test for orthodoxy or heresy. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Conversely, judgments concerning a person’s spiritual orientation or ultimate destiny should not be made on the basis of didachaic or secondary doctrines. (If any judgment is made, it should begin with a self-examination per MT 7:1&5, 2CR 13:5-8).

A major reason many Christians throughout history have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).

The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:

1. There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (DT 6:4, JN 3:16, 2THS 1:6), who is both able (2TM 1:12) and willing (1TM 2:3-4) to provide all morally accountable human beings salvation or heaven—a wonderful life full of love, joy and peace forever.
2. Human beings are selfish or sinful (RM 3:23, 2TM 3:2-4, CL 3:5), miserable (GL 5:19-21), and hopeless (EPH 2:12) or hell-bound at the judgment (MT 23:33 & 25:46) when they reject God’s salvation (JN 3:18, RM 2:5-11).
3. Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ and incarnate Son, the way that God has chosen (JN 3:16, ACTS 16:30-31, PHP 2:9-11) of providing salvation by means of his atoning death on the cross for the payment of the penalty for the sins of humanity (RM 3:22-25 & 5:9-11), followed by his resurrection to reign in heaven (1CR 15:14-28).
4. Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).
5. Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (RV 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning Truth/God’s Word everyone cooperates fully with His will (JN 14:6, 17&26, RM 8:6-17, GL 6:7-9, EPH 1:13-14, HB 10:36, 12:1, JM 1:2-4).

For those following along.
The claim: everyone who professes this creed, kerygma (see above points 1-5) should be accepted as a brother, without judgement, regardless of their position on secondary doctrines. Throughout church history a major cause of division is failure to adhere to this creed, lack of inclusivity and by false judgment on “secondary doctrines”.
Does that sound about right? @GWH

Galatians.
As we all know, Galatians is about justification by faith. In Galatians we see Paul condemning Jews who “believed” but added works. Let that sink in.

Paul judged, quite harshly, these men who affirmed your creed, your kerygma, men who claimed to believe.

This is just one scriptural example that should cause your reevaluation.

——
I can almost here the Judaizers now: why is Paul judging us, we believe Jesus is the Christ… Why is he causing this division…
——



Notes for your private consideration: Your points 1-5 say nothing about justification by faith alone (the word faith isn’t even used actually) Would this doctrine be considered “secondary” to you?
There is mention however, that one must attempt to keep the commandments of Jesus.

So, we have no mention of faith, a pinch of effort and a call for less judgment and more inclusivity in the name of unity.

Frankly, this sounds like something straight out of the Catholic playbook.

 

[GWH]

For those following along.
The claim: everyone who professes this creed, kerygma (see above points 1-5) should be accepted as a brother, without judgement, regardless of their position on secondary doctrines. Throughout church history a major cause of division is failure to adhere to this creed, lack of inclusivity and by false judgment on “secondary doctrines”.
Does that sound about right? @GWH

Galatians.
As we all know, Galatians is about justification by faith. In Galatians we see Paul condemning Jews who “believed” but added works. Let that sink in.

Paul judged, quite harshly, these men who affirmed your creed, your kerygma, men who claimed to believe.

This is just one scriptural example that should cause your reevaluation.

——
I can almost here the Judaizers now: why is Paul judging us, we believe Jesus is the Christ… Why is he causing this division…
——



Notes for your private consideration: Your points 1-5 say nothing about justification by faith alone (the word faith isn’t even used actually) Would this doctrine be considered “secondary” to you?
There is mention however, that one must attempt to keep the commandments of Jesus.

So, we have no mention of faith, a pinch of effort and a call for less judgment and more inclusivity in the name of unity.

Frankly, this sounds like something straight out of the Catholic playbook.

Paul condemned those who perverted the Gospel creed by what they added (GL 1:6-9).

The creed is Paul's, as you should have realized from the citations from his writings.

Regarding not using the phrase "justification by faith alone", it is implied by the use of "repent, accept, Christ, Lord and obey" in #4:

Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).

However, I will consider adding Luther's phrase to that point on my website, so thanks for the feedback.

 

[NOV25]

Paul condemned those who perverted the Gospel creed by what they added (GL 1:6-9)…

Yes, Paul condemned professing believers-wrinkles your premise bubba.

Joel Osteen is a professing evangelical, affirms your kerygma, doesn’t openly teach faith plus law. Are we to accept ole Joel in the name of unity and blessing? I’m sure Joel and the like would say yes. But I say, no way Jose.

I think Johnny Mac said it best. Joel is a pagan religionist, a quasi pantheist who uses Jesus to satisfy his critics and deceive his followers…

What say you? At what point do you condemn an “evangelical”, abortion, homosexuality, drug use, physical abuse?

We are commanded to judge but judge rightly so perhaps a better question is, how do we rightly judge one who affirms kerygma but, seems a bit off?

How do we spot the Ravi Zacharias types before their transgressions are revealed? How to avoid the Francis Chan’s? Yes, this would make for a more helpful thread than seeking blanket immunity for your kerygma adherents, would it not?

 

[GWH]

Yes, Paul condemned professing believers-wrinkles your premise bubba.

Joel Osteen is a professing evangelical, affirms your kerygma, doesn’t openly teach faith plus law. Are we to accept ole Joel in the name of unity and blessing? I’m sure Joel and the like would say yes. But I say, no way Jose.

I think Johnny Mac said it best. Joel is a pagan religionist, a quasi pantheist who uses Jesus to satisfy his critics and deceive his followers…

What say you? At what point do you condemn an “evangelical”, abortion, homosexuality, drug use, physical abuse?

We are commanded to judge but judge rightly so perhaps a better question is, how do we rightly judge one who affirms kerygma but, seems a bit off?

How do we spot the Ravi Zacharias types before their transgressions are revealed? How to avoid the Francis Chan’s? Yes, this would make for a more helpful thread than seeking blanket immunity for your kerygma adherents, would it not?

Okay, #4 in the kerygma/creed now says: Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God’s justification in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).

Yes, Paul condemned professing believers for perverting the Gospel.
(Not sure why you thought it wrinkles my premise.)

Yes, Osteen's Gospel is problematic tending toward perversion.

Yes, we are commanded to judge rightly by learning GW regarding various moral issues.

I am not very familiar with Z or C., so please answer those questions you asked.

 

[Believer08]

I would like to understand how do you (GWH) interpret scripture? Do you have any methods? There are some verses that are quite difficult to understand all through the Bible where we might need to give a bit of leeway to others who have different views. Especially if it doesn’t affect one’s daily walk with Christ.