Hermeneutics: Interpreting Scripture

[GWH]

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matt. 18:10-14)

The passage begins by saying that “these little ones” should not be despised, because their angels see the face of the Father in heaven. The little ones are those who believe in Jesus per v.6.

Then Jesus tells a story about a man who owned 100 sheep and realized that one of them wandered away, so he left the 99 to look for the lost sheep. Jesus said that the man is happier about finding the lost sheep than about the fact the others had not wandered off, and He explained that this story illustrates how the heavenly Father is not willing for any of these little ones/believers to perish.

This parable seems to illustrate John 3:16 and what Paul taught in 1Tim. 2:3-4.

 

[PaulThomson]

My goal in this thread is to discuss how we can answer Christ's prayer for spiritual unity among his followers that is found in John 17:20-23.
It seems to me that a lot of chat by Christians tends to ignore Jesus' concern, but for those who share it the question is how to achieve it, and the answer involves agreeing on one interpretation of Scripture.

Thus, I would like to begin by sharing a way of interpreting Scripture that is based on the instruction of Paul in 1THS 5:21 to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” As I have been seeking ultimate truth and testing what I have learned, I have come to value two NT teachings as key points from which to triangulate or use to guide my interpretation of the Bible, especially problematic statements, but before I share them I would like to ask y'all to tell which two most guide your thinking and chatting.

Thanks and love in Christ (LIC)

Paul's primary concern in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians is restoring unity in a church divided over partisan support for favourite teachers whose teachings differ from one another. His solution is NOT the imposition of a monolithic doctrinal uniformity that must be affirmed by all genuine believers. It is in fact to recognise everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as someone building upon the foundation that is Jesus Christ. They may be building wood, hay and stubble on that foundation, and their work may be completely burned up in the day Jesus judges it, but they themselves will nevertheless be saved, but as if through fire. Paul gives his appraisal of the carnal Corinthians in 1 Cor. 1:2-9, and he enjoins them all in v. 10 to say the same thing about one another as he has just said, and not to be contentious over differences in doctrine. No teacher has it all correct, but we can still learn from one another nevertheless. We can learn to discern the Holy Spirit's voice from considering our brother's errors and comparing them to scripture, and we can learn from our brother's truth by considering his correct teaching and comparing it to Scripture. .

 

[GWH]

Paul's primary concern in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians is restoring unity in a church divided over partisan support for favourite teachers whose teachings differ from one another. His solution is NOT the imposition of a monolithic doctrinal uniformity that must be affirmed by all genuine believers. It is in fact to recognise everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as someone building upon the foundation that is Jesus Christ. They may be building wood, hay and stubble on that foundation, and their work may be completely burned up in the day Jesus judges it, but they themselves will nevertheless be saved, but as if through fire. Paul gives his appraisal of the carnal Corinthians in 1 Cor. 1:2-9, and he enjoins them all in v. 10 to say the same thing about one another as he has just said, and not to be contentious over differences in doctrine. No teacher has it all correct, but we can still learn from one another nevertheless. We can learn to discern the Holy Spirit's voice from considering our brother's errors and comparing them to scripture, and we can learn from our brother's truth by considering his correct teaching and comparing it to Scripture. .

Yes, and in 1Cor. 12-14 we can see that a division was about tongues.
Paul's solution (1Cor. 13) was love based on a mono-doctrinal Gospel,
which foundation is what I call the kerygma.
Secondary doctrines that build upon the kerygma may be called the didache,
which includes such issues as tongues.
Differences in understanding are unavoidable, but desire for unity must be intentional (John 13:35),
and doctrine is damnable if it contradicts/corrupts the Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).
Amen regarding no one should believe themselves to be a pope,
but instead everyone should be truthseekers (Matt. 7:7, Heb. 11:6, 1Tim. 2:3-4).
A gift we all need is logic that is able to harmonize GW (1Thes. 5:21).

What Scriptures most inform your hermeneutic?

 

[PaulThomson]

Yes, and in 1Cor. 12-14 we can see that a division was about tongues.
Paul's solution (1Cor. 13) was love based on a mono-doctrinal Gospel,
which foundation is what I call the kerygma.
Secondary doctrines that build upon the kerygma may be called the didache,
which includes such issues as tongues.
Differences in understanding are unavoidable, but desire for unity must be intentional (John 13:35),
and doctrine is damnable if it contradicts/corrupts the Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).
Amen regarding no one should believe themselves to be a pope,
but instead everyone should be truthseekers (Matt. 7:7, Heb. 11:6, 1Tim. 2:3-4).
A gift we all need is logic that is able to harmonize GW (1Thes. 5:21).

What Scriptures most inform your hermeneutic?

Isa 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Jhn 16:13
But, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he shall hear, that will he speak: and he will show you things to come.

1Co 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?...

1Co 3:20
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21
Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours:
1Co 3:22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23
And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Jas 3:2
For we [teachers] all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also....
Jas 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
Jas 3:18
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

[GWH]

Isa 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Jhn 16:13
But, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he shall hear, that will he speak: and he will show you things to come.

1Co 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?...

1Co 3:20
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21
Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours:
1Co 3:22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23
And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Jas 3:2
For we [teachers] all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also....
Jas 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
Jas 3:18
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Amen to those!

 

[GWH]

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matt. 18:10-14)

The passage begins by saying that “these little ones” should not be despised, because their angels see the face of the Father in heaven. The little ones are those who believe in Jesus per v.6.

Then Jesus tells a story about a man who owned 100 sheep and realized that one of them wandered away, so he left the 99 to look for the lost sheep. Jesus said that the man is happier about finding the lost sheep than about the fact the others had not wandered off, and He explained that this story illustrates how the heavenly Father is not willing for any of these little ones/believers to perish.

This parable seems to illustrate John 3:16 and what Paul taught in 1Tim. 2:3-4.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt. 18:21-35)

Jesus compares the KOH to a king who wanted to collect what his servants owed him. The first servant owed 10,000 bags of gold, but he could not pay, so the king ordered his family be sold to pay the debt. However, the servant pled with the king to be patient, and the king took pity on him and canceled the debt. Then the servant went out and found another servant who owed him 100 silver coins. He began to choke the man and demanded that he pay what he owed. The man begged him to be patient and promised to pay the debt, but the first servant refused to take pity and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay up.

Other servants saw what had happened and told the king, who called that servant in and said, “You wicked servant. I forgave your debt when you begged me to, so you should have had mercy on your fellow servant like I had on you.” Then the king handed the servant over to the jailers to be tortured until he repaid all he owed. Jesus concluded by saying, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat you unless you forgive your sibling.”

Does this parable mean that all debtors should be forgiven without repayment?
That criminals should be forgiven without repentance?

 

[GWH]

No, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant means that believers should be willing to forgive all repentant offenders
(just as God forgives sinners who repent), and perhaps be willing to give money to those needing a loan (Matt. 5:42).


The Parable of the Workers (Matt. 20:1-16)

Jesus compared the KOH to a landowner who hired workers for his vineyard early in the morning at the agreed wage of one denarius for the day. About nine a.m. he hired more workers, saying that he would pay them what is right. At noon and at five p.m. he did the same thing.

At the end of the workday the owner of the vineyard told the foreman to pay all of the workers he had hired one denarius each, so the ones who were hired first complained about not getting paid more than those who were hired last. However, the landowner declared that he was being fair, because he paid what had been agreed on, saying that he had the right to determine the pay scale and asking, “Are you envious because I am generous?” Jesus ends by saying, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

What is the point of this parable?

 

[GWH]

No, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant means that believers should be willing to forgive all repentant offenders
(just as God forgives sinners who repent), and perhaps be willing to give money to those needing a loan (Matt. 5:42).


The Parable of the Workers (Matt. 20:1-16)

Jesus compared the KOH to a landowner who hired workers for his vineyard early in the morning at the agreed wage of one denarius for the day. About nine a.m. he hired more workers, saying that he would pay them what is right. At noon and at five p.m. he did the same thing.

At the end of the workday the owner of the vineyard told the foreman to pay all of the workers he had hired one denarius each, so the ones who were hired first complained about not getting paid more than those who were hired last. However, the landowner declared that he was being fair, because he paid what had been agreed on, saying that he had the right to determine the pay scale and asking, “Are you envious because I am generous?” Jesus ends by saying, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

What is the point of this parable?

This parable teaches that the same heaven includes those who were saved their entire lives
and those who were saved just before they died, so all will be equally happy.

 

[GWH]

Jesus implicitly alluded to the need for a correct hermeneutic in John 5:39-40 by reproving the Jewish leaders for searching the Scriptures diligently but failing to learn that they testify about him.

Again in John 5:46 Jesus said that if they believed Moses, they would believe he was the prophet Moses wrote about (in Deut. 18:18).
IOW, the right hermeneutic interprets God's OT revelation to the Jews in light of God's NT Gospel for all (cf. Rom. 15:8-16).

 

[GWH]

The purpose of this thread is to discuss how Christ's prayer for spiritual unity among his followers in John 17:20-23 can be answered regarding agreement on interpretation of Scripture.

Jesus said something about hermeneutics in John 3:39-40&46, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life... If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me."

Paul also taught this in Acts 26:22b-23, "I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen--that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles." Perhaps 2Tim. 3:15-17 should be viewed as Paul's hermeneutic for interpreting the OT.

Peter alluded to Paul's letters containing some things hard to understand (in 2Pet. 3:15-16), but he did not offer help with their interpretation. Much of Hebrews is on the subject of interpreting the OT in light of the NT, because the Gospel of Christ has superseded salvation via obeying the Mosaic Law.

 

[GWH]

The Bible teaches that God is just/righteous (Rom. 3:25-26, 9:14, 2Thes. 1:6, Isa. 5:16). This doctrine is called "theodicy". It means that explanations of God’s will should not seem unloving or unfair. Some atheists have a negative or evil conception of God, which may be reinforced by the words and deeds of those who claim to be theists (Rom. 2:24, 2Pet. 2:2). Who would want to believe in such a God? Rather than reject a caricature of God, an atheist should imagine the most perfect, loving and just God that he/she can, and choose to believe in that benevolent Being. God is NOT demonic!

What a person believes about the moral attributes of God affects how he or she interprets GW in the Bible, called “hermeneutics”. A Scripture-based hermeneutic might begin well by triangulating from two key NT "guiding teachings" (GTs) in order to discern the best understanding of problematic biblical statements:

First, God loves and wants to save everyone (John 3:16, 1Tim. 2:3-4, Ezek. 33:11, Acts 17:26-28). Christ died to show God’s love and the possible salvation of all (Rom. 5:6-8) including His enemies (ungodly, atheist, anti-Christ).

Second, God is just (2Thes. 1:6a, cf. Rom. 3:25-26 & 9:14, Deut. 32:4, Psa. 36:6, Luke 11:42, Rev. 15:3). All interpretations of Scripture should conform to this certitude: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Psa. 145:17) The Judge is just; He does not show favoritism (Rom. 2:11).

Paul indicated (in 2Tim. 3:15-17) that Scripture is useful for sinners to learn how to be saved and for saints to learn how to become completely sanctified, righteous or godly, and Paul said (in 1Thes. 5:21) to test everything (including the interpretations of GW) and hold on to the good.

The GTs seem to be very good. The first GT, "God our savior wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1Tim. 2:3-4) indicates that God loves sinful humanity (Rom. 5:6-8), and Matt. 5:44&48 teaches that God even loves His enemies (which would include Satan, who was created good per Gen. 1:31). The second GT, "God is just" (2Thes. 1:6a), means that God is righteous/good, so it would be better not to attempt an explanation of GW than to state one that impugns God’s justice and love for all people (Joel 2:13, John 3:16).

Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love, intended as discipline (Heb. 12:4-11) to teach people to repent of their hatefulness or faithlessness (Pro. 3:12, Isa. 33:14-15, Rev. 3:19) and to love good. (God practices what He preaches, which is for His children to love sinners while hating sin, so Satan, demonic angels and ungodly human souls will experience God's just wrath in hell).

Because God is loving and just, He does not tempt, trick, confuse or otherwise contribute to anyone’s sinfulness. On the contrary, God must be doing all that He can do without abrogating justice or moral free will (MFW) to influence people not to be deceived and become self-condemned (Jam. 1:13-17, Tit. 3:11, Isa. 45:19).

This realization should steer us away from the problematic opinion (a la Augustine via John Calvin) known as TULIP that God predestines most people for hell and lead us to affirm MFW (Deut. 30:19). This view is paradoxical, because it affirms both that God is sovereign and that God chooses not to control moral thinking, because doing so would nullify human responsibility for sin, making the biblical revelation of salvation based on repentance irrelevant and absurd.

 

[GWH]

Paul indicated (in 2Tim. 3:15-17) that Scripture is useful for sinners to learn how to be saved and for saints to learn how to become completely sanctified, righteous or godly, and Paul said (in 1Thes. 5:21) to test everything (including the interpretations of GW) and hold on to the good.

The GTs seem very good. The first GT indicates that God loves sinful humanity and His enemy Satan (1Tim. 2:3-4, Matt. 5:44&48, Rom. 5:6-8), who was created good (per Gen. 1:31), and the second GT means that God should not be blamed for the sin of those who choose to ignore or oppose GW (2Thes. 1:6a, Joel 2:13, John 3:16, Psa. 145:17).

Triangulation from these GTs about divine omnilove and justness can help interpret problematic Scriptures such as the OT story of the Flood (Gen. 6:17). Keeping them in mind enables one to see that natural disasters occur every day somewhere in the world for the divine purpose of teaching humans their need of His salvation (Heb. 12:7-11), and everyone who seeks Him will be saved (Matt. 7:7, Heb. 11:6), 12:4-11, cf. Gen. 4:7, Pro. 3:12, Rev. 3:19).

 

[EmethAlethia]

My goal in this thread is to discuss how we can answer Christ's prayer for spiritual unity among his followers that is found in John 17:20-23.
It seems to me that a lot of chat by Christians tends to ignore Jesus' concern, but for those who share it the question is how to achieve it, and the answer involves agreeing on one interpretation of Scripture.

Thus, I would like to begin by sharing a way of interpreting Scripture that is based on the instruction of Paul in 1THS 5:21 to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” As I have been seeking ultimate truth and testing what I have learned, I have come to value two NT teachings as key points from which to triangulate or use to guide my interpretation of the Bible, especially problematic statements, but before I share them I would like to ask y'all to tell which two most guide your thinking and chatting.

Thanks and love in Christ (LIC)

1Th. 5:21 is an AWESOME verse! In the "Present Tense" it means be continuously proving ALL things over and over again (Like an ongoing court case where the only goal is to get to truth) and always hold fast to what is being proven good/true (And not to your beliefs.). It's the only way to get "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth. It assumes objectivity. It includes gathering absolutely everything that "might" apply to each and every topic. It includes seeking to "accurately dissect" all the meaning in every passage that might apply, and it includes being willing to restudy, and re-consider, every belief you now have.

Those unwilling to objectively keep on doing this, outside of being disobedient to God's command, have no way at all of getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth. But then, those people are discussed in 2Th. 2:10-12, and those obeying this command are found in vs. 13. Those "perishing" vs. 10 can never see, let alone believe, the true gospel. 2Co. 4:3-4 And according to Jesus, the vast masses of those who believe they are Christians fall into the 1st category. (Mat. 7:13, 22-23 "The Many") And while they receive everything they need, "From God" to hold fast to their beliefs as truth, 2Th. 2:11, they are headed for destruction and will not see life. Mat. 7:13-14

 

[GWH]

1Th. 5:21 is an AWESOME verse! In the "Present Tense" it means be continuously proving ALL things over and over again (Like an ongoing court case where the only goal is to get to truth) and always hold fast to what is being proven good/true (And not to your beliefs.). It's the only way to get "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth. It assumes objectivity. It includes gathering absolutely everything that "might" apply to each and every topic. It includes seeking to "accurately dissect" all the meaning in every passage that might apply, and it includes being willing to restudy, and re-consider, every belief you now have.

Those unwilling to objectively keep on doing this, outside of being disobedient to God's command, have no way at all of getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth. But then, those people are discussed in 2Th. 2:10-12, and those obeying this command are found in vs. 13. Those "perishing" vs. 10 can never see, let alone believe, the true gospel. 2Co. 4:3-4 And according to Jesus, the vast masses of those who believe they are Christians fall into the 1st category. (Mat. 7:13, 22-23 "The Many") And while they receive everything they need, "From God" to hold fast to their beliefs as truth, 2Th. 2:11, they are headed for destruction and will not see life. Mat. 7:13-14

Amen! Sounds like we are fellow truthseekers.
I shares part of my hermeneutic with you on another thread, but we can discuss this topic in more detail here if you want.

A biblical hermeneutic or parameters for interpreting the Bible might well begin with the instruction of Paul (1Thes. 5:21) to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” A truthseeker is guided by the question: What is most true or closest to the truth, especially the Truth of God’s Word? The method for discerning truth employs subjective logic that is made as objective as possible by learning from Scriptural and other truthseekers. Two NT teachings may be deemed key points from which to triangulate or use to guide an interpretation of the Bible, especially problematic statements.

First, God loves and wants to save everyone. Scriptures teaching divine omnilove include: John 3:16, 1John 4:7-12, Rom. 5:8, Matt. 5:44&48, Gal. 5:6&14, Eph. 3:17b-19, Eph. 5:2 and 1Tim. 2:3-4. Christ died to show God’s love and the possible salvation of all (Rom. 5:6-8) including His enemies (ungodly, atheist, anti-Christ, heretics).

Second, God is just (2Thes. 1:6a, cf. Rom. 3:25-26 & 9:14, Deut. 32:4, Psa. 36:6, Luke 11:42, Rev. 15:3). Explanations of God’s Word should not impugn God’s justice and love for all people (Joel 2:13, John 3:16). This parameter is affirmed in the OT (Psa. 145:17): “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love and justice.

The writer of Heb. 12:4-11 indicates that divine wrath is intended as discipline for the purpose of teaching people to repent of their hatefulness and faithlessness (Pro. 3:12, Isa. 33:14-15 Rev. 3:19). If a righteous explanation cannot be found for a passage of Scripture purporting to describe God’s will (such as Josh. 6:17-24, 8:2&24 & 10:28-40, 11:6-23), then it should be considered as historical or descriptive of what people perceived rather than as pedagogical or prescriptive of God’s nature. Unrighteous rage should not be attributed to God.

The justice of God is a source of comfort and joy to those who have decided to accept His loving Lordship, but it is experienced as judgment or wrath by those who rebel against Him (Isa. 13:13, Rom. 1:18, Rev. 19:11). The fire that warms (purifies) also burns (punishes). Stating God’s requirement for salvation negatively: a person would do well (be wise) not to reject Him in order not to experience the miserable but just consequence (John 3:17-18). Just consequences teach good behavior.

Another important element in this Bible-based hermeneutic is that everyone lives by fallible faith/ belief/opinion and sufficient knowledge of evidence rather than by absolute certainty or proof or coercion (2Cor. 5:7), so humility is needed. A logical train of thought leads an unbiased truthseeker to have a propensity to believe in an all-loving God, who is not tricky and does not hide the way to heaven (Heb. 11:6, Acts 13:10). Humanity’s understanding of God evolved or progressed through the millenniums, so that the OT was superseded by the NT, which is the apex of divine revelation (Heb. 7:18, 8:13, 9:15).

This hermeneutic seeks to harmonize disparate Scriptures as taught by Paul (in 1Thes. 5:21), exemplified by Jesus (in Matt. 4:6-7) and illustrated by the transparent overlays of bodily systems found in some books on anatomy. Considering both sides of an issue or doctrine is called dialectical theology. An interpreter should want to include all true assertions in the picture of reality without making a “Procrustean Body” by cutting off or ignoring parts that do not seem to fit, because the correct understanding must be self-consistent or else God would be tricky. The whole truth combines parts without sawing!

The Bible says God’s Spirit is love and truth (1John 4:8 & 5:6), which means all love (agape, Rom. 6:5-8) in all people is God’s operation, and all truth in all cultures is God’s revelation. Thus, becoming a Christian theist does not mean rejecting what is good and true in one’s pre-Christian experience or culture. When considering two different understandings (thesis A versus antithesis B), the truth may not be either one or the other but rather the proper harmonization of the two. (Both A and B = synthesis C.)

 

[EmethAlethia]

Amen! Sounds like we are fellow truthseekers.
I shares part of my hermeneutic with you on another thread, but we can discuss this topic in more detail here if you want.

A biblical hermeneutic or parameters for interpreting the Bible might well begin with the instruction of Paul (1Thes. 5:21) to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” A truthseeker is guided by the question: What is most true or closest to the truth, especially the Truth of God’s Word? The method for discerning truth employs subjective logic that is made as objective as possible by learning from Scriptural and other truthseekers. Two NT teachings may be deemed key points from which to triangulate or use to guide an interpretation of the Bible, especially problematic statements.

First, God loves and wants to save everyone. Scriptures teaching divine omnilove include: John 3:16, 1John 4:7-12, Rom. 5:8, Matt. 5:44&48, Gal. 5:6&14, Eph. 3:17b-19, Eph. 5:2 and 1Tim. 2:3-4. Christ died to show God’s love and the possible salvation of all (Rom. 5:6-8) including His enemies (ungodly, atheist, anti-Christ, heretics).

Second, God is just (2Thes. 1:6a, cf. Rom. 3:25-26 & 9:14, Deut. 32:4, Psa. 36:6, Luke 11:42, Rev. 15:3). Explanations of God’s Word should not impugn God’s justice and love for all people (Joel 2:13, John 3:16). This parameter is affirmed in the OT (Psa. 145:17): “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love and justice.

The writer of Heb. 12:4-11 indicates that divine wrath is intended as discipline for the purpose of teaching people to repent of their hatefulness and faithlessness (Pro. 3:12, Isa. 33:14-15 Rev. 3:19). If a righteous explanation cannot be found for a passage of Scripture purporting to describe God’s will (such as Josh. 6:17-24, 8:2&24 & 10:28-40, 11:6-23), then it should be considered as historical or descriptive of what people perceived rather than as pedagogical or prescriptive of God’s nature. Unrighteous rage should not be attributed to God.

The justice of God is a source of comfort and joy to those who have decided to accept His loving Lordship, but it is experienced as judgment or wrath by those who rebel against Him (Isa. 13:13, Rom. 1:18, Rev. 19:11). The fire that warms (purifies) also burns (punishes). Stating God’s requirement for salvation negatively: a person would do well (be wise) not to reject Him in order not to experience the miserable but just consequence (John 3:17-18). Just consequences teach good behavior.

Another important element in this Bible-based hermeneutic is that everyone lives by fallible faith/ belief/opinion and sufficient knowledge of evidence rather than by absolute certainty or proof or coercion (2Cor. 5:7), so humility is needed. A logical train of thought leads an unbiased truthseeker to have a propensity to believe in an all-loving God, who is not tricky and does not hide the way to heaven (Heb. 11:6, Acts 13:10). Humanity’s understanding of God evolved or progressed through the millenniums, so that the OT was superseded by the NT, which is the apex of divine revelation (Heb. 7:18, 8:13, 9:15).

This hermeneutic seeks to harmonize disparate Scriptures as taught by Paul (in 1Thes. 5:21), exemplified by Jesus (in Matt. 4:6-7) and illustrated by the transparent overlays of bodily systems found in some books on anatomy. Considering both sides of an issue or doctrine is called dialectical theology. An interpreter should want to include all true assertions in the picture of reality without making a “Procrustean Body” by cutting off or ignoring parts that do not seem to fit, because the correct understanding must be self-consistent or else God would be tricky. The whole truth combines parts without sawing!

The Bible says God’s Spirit is love and truth (1John 4:8 & 5:6), which means all love (agape, Rom. 6:5-8) in all people is God’s operation, and all truth in all cultures is God’s revelation. Thus, becoming a Christian theist does not mean rejecting what is good and true in one’s pre-Christian experience or culture. When considering two different understandings (thesis A versus antithesis B), the truth may not be either one or the other but rather the proper harmonization of the two. (Both A and B = synthesis C.)

Awesome.

Of course, if you agree with me on everything, only one thing is absolutely certain ... "You are wrong!" LOL I laugh, but I mean it. 10,000 different non-Christian belief groups. 45,000 different "Christian" belief groups all with differing core beliefs or they'd be in the same group... and I'm going to state ANY of my beliefs are "unquestionably true"? Only God has "Unquestionably true" beliefs.

Justice: Just rewards, and Just punishments all REQUIRE a true act of will/choice. Who would punish a 3-day old child for dirtying a diaper and be considered "Just" for doing so? They have no choice. They can do no differently.

 

[GWH]

Awesome.

Of course, if you agree with me on everything, only one thing is absolutely certain ... "You are wrong!" LOL I laugh, but I mean it. 10,000 different non-Christian belief groups. 45,000 different "Christian" belief groups all with differing core beliefs or they'd be in the same group... and I'm going to state ANY of my beliefs are "unquestionably true"? Only God has "Unquestionably true" beliefs.

Justice: Just rewards, and Just punishments all REQUIRE a true act of will/choice. Who would punish a 3-day old child for dirtying a diaper and be considered "Just" for doing so? They have no choice. They can do no differently.

Well, I believe that true Christians DO agree on the core Gospel and share the same HS (1Cor. 13:13, Eph. 4:4-6),
but they may be in different denominations and churches due to various factors including driving distance and
preference regarding worship service styles.

This is why I urge agreement regarding a core creed, such as this one:


The normative way of stating God's core condition for salvation in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord”
(as in Acts 16:31, 2Cor. 4:5 & Col. 2:6) or “Love Jesus as Messiah and Lord” (John 8:42). The main points of
Christian orthodoxy implicit in these statements can be explained or elaborated as follows:

1. There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (Deut. 6:4, John 3:16, 2Thes. 1:6), who is both able (2Tim. 1:12) and willing (1Tim. 2:3-4, Ezek. 33:11) 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 (Rom. 3:23, 2Tim. 3:2-4, Col. 3:5), miserable (Gal. 5:19-21), and hopeless (Eph. 2:12) or hell-bound at the judgment (Matt. 23:33 & 25:46) when they reject God’s salvation (John 3:18, Rom. 2:5-11).

3. Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ and incarnate Son, the way that God has chosen (John 3:16, Acts 16:30-31, Phil. 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 (Rom. 3:22-25 & 5:9-11), followed by his resurrection to reign in heaven (1Cor. 15:14-28).

4. 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 (Luke 2:11, John 14:6, Acts 16:31), which means trying to obey (Phil. 3:12, 1John 1:8) His commandment to love one another (Matt. 22:37-40, John 13:35, Rom. 13:9)—forever (Matt. 10:22, Psa. 113:2).

5. Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (Rev. 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning Truth/God’s Word/sanctification everyone cooperates fully with His will (John 14:6, 17&26, Rom. 8:6-17, Gal. 6:7-9, Eph. 1:13-14, Heb. 10:36, 12:1, Jam. 1:2-4).

Do you agree?

 

[EmethAlethia]

Well, I believe that true Christians DO agree on the core Gospel and share the same HS (1Cor. 13:13, Eph. 4:4-6),
but they may be in different denominations and churches due to various factors including driving distance and
preference regarding worship service styles.

This is why I urge agreement regarding a core creed, such as this one:


The normative way of stating God's core condition for salvation in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord”
(as in Acts 16:31, 2Cor. 4:5 & Col. 2:6) or “Love Jesus as Messiah and Lord” (John 8:42). The main points of
Christian orthodoxy implicit in these statements can be explained or elaborated as follows:

1. There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (Deut. 6:4, John 3:16, 2Thes. 1:6), who is both able (2Tim. 1:12) and willing (1Tim. 2:3-4, Ezek. 33:11) 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 (Rom. 3:23, 2Tim. 3:2-4, Col. 3:5), miserable (Gal. 5:19-21), and hopeless (Eph. 2:12) or hell-bound at the judgment (Matt. 23:33 & 25:46) when they reject God’s salvation (John 3:18, Rom. 2:5-11).

3. Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ and incarnate Son, the way that God has chosen (John 3:16, Acts 16:30-31, Phil. 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 (Rom. 3:22-25 & 5:9-11), followed by his resurrection to reign in heaven (1Cor. 15:14-28).

4. 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 (Luke 2:11, John 14:6, Acts 16:31), which means trying to obey (Phil. 3:12, 1John 1:8) His commandment to love one another (Matt. 22:37-40, John 13:35, Rom. 13:9)—forever (Matt. 10:22, Psa. 113:2).

5. Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (Rev. 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning Truth/God’s Word/sanctification everyone cooperates fully with His will (John 14:6, 17&26, Rom. 8:6-17, Gal. 6:7-9, Eph. 1:13-14, Heb. 10:36, 12:1, Jam. 1:2-4).

Do you agree?

I believe this represents the norm in today's Christianity. Skip the necessary process and jump right to the core. What has to be believed. While all the 10,000 non-Christian belief groups, and all the 45,000 different "Christian" belief groups focus almost strictly on the core beliefs that prove they, and others love truth and have the truth when it comes to their core beliefs, every group evaluating based on their own beliefs, all 55,000 of them always do so by evaluating based on the alignment of other with their own beliefs, and the accepted data and interpretations they believe prove their beliefs true and all opposing beliefs false.

Everyone, in every belief group always passes their own test of loving truth and believing the truth, making it absolutely worthless for determining who loves and has truth. Everyone does. Of course, God says those evaluating love of truth and belief in truth based on their own beliefs, and those of the experts who agree with them, have absolutely no understanding at all. 2Co. 10:12 It's why a profession of faith is worthless for determining who is, and isn't, "in the faith". Although all true Christians are constantly evaluating the salvation of themselves and others, 2Co. 13:5-6, "Unless indeed they fail the test", vs. 5 Jesus warns true Christians to only evaluate based on ongoing habitual "Fruits". And no true Christian can ever possess the "Fruits" of the person who believes they are a Christian, but fails the "Fruits" test, and no person who fails the tests can ever possess those of the people who will be saved. Mat. 7:15-20

Interestingly, most agree that the "Narrow Gate" leading to life is saving faith in the truth. This would make the very broad gate every other belief on the planet. This would make the "Fruits" that are the ongoing "Path of tribulation" Mat. 7:14 (The consistent meaning for the word Thlebo throughout the Greek old and New Testaments: The Great "Tribulation", for example.) those that will get anyone "From" the erroneous beliefs in any of the 55,000 different belief groups, "to" truth, ... eventually... if they never stop the process. The good news is, if we never stop seeking, knocking, asking, ... till the day we die, (Present Tense) we are guaranteed, by God Himself, to get to saving faith in the truth and receiver the Holy Spirit ... eventually. Mat. 7:7-12/Luk. 11:9-13(vs. 13).

The broad, easy way is to get the beliefs, data and interpretations every belief group shares, select one of the 45,000 "Christian" belief groups and get on with living. After all, any group we are in, and any set of experts who agree with us, has the correct core beliefs, right?

So, what ongoing habitual "Fruits" lock 99% of all people into the beliefs they love "as" truth? That's the broad path. What habitual ongoing "Fruits" will get anyone, regardless of the beliefs they have now, "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if they never stop. (Because God is seeking, and will never stop seeking, that group. Joh. 4:23-24) Those who have rejected a love of the truth, God is no longer seeking. He gives them everything they need to hold fast to their beliefs, including all the original signs and wonders the true Christians of the 1st century possessed. Mat. 7:23-24

While almost everyone is focused only on the "Gate", no person on the planet can get to the "Narrow Gate to Life" if they aren't on the correct path. They are perishing. They are not saved, 2Th. 2:10 regardless of their intense beliefs, their zeal for God in accordance with those beliefs, ... and even if the correct gospel is set up flawlessly right before their very eyes, they cannot even see it, let alone believe it. 2Co. 4:3-4

The question isn't what beliefs are required for saving faith. The question is, what beliefs will result in us getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if we never stop the process. Fruits ... continuously evaluating the salvation of ourselves and others 2Co. 13:5-6 based on ongoing "Fruits" Mat. 7:15-20 and not beliefs 2Co. 10:12 "Unless indeed you fail the test". 2Co. 13:5 Continuously seeking, knocking, asking, and never stopping till the day we die. 1Th. 5:21 Those who already have the truth / unquestionably true core beliefs, already believe they have found, have had it opened to them, and have received. As far as their core beliefs go, they are done. They have everything they need. 2Th. 2:11

If you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, there is no possible way ANYONE is going to be able to keep you from studying through all the bible has to say 1Pe. 2:2-3 with the goal of getting to the truth of it so you can alter all you are to fit. There is no passage on "Reading" or "Memorizing" the bible. "Accurately dissecting" all of it so you do not stand ashamed, but rather stand approved, before Him, 2Ti. 2:15 yes. Reading ... no. Same with everything almost everyone in the 45,000 different belief groups do ... showing up for bible studies, praise and worship, ... if everyone does it, it's not one of the "Fruits" in Mat. 7:15-20.

What beliefs result in you grieving over anything you find in yourself that is contrary to what is pleasing to the God you love because of how much He loved you and took the penalty you deserved upon Himself while you were still His enemy and were hostile to him ... and then results in us doing absolutely everything in our power to correct every single flaw we find? 2Co. 7:9-11

There are a lot more. The trick is to get on the right path and stay on it until you get to that exceedingly narrow gate to life: "Faith in the truth". And only those who stay seeking, knocking, asking, proving all things over and over and over again, always holding fast to what is being proven good/true, and not to any beliefs, can get there. It's the only path, and it will result in all the ongoing "Fruits" God says are always true of true Christians.

Odds are my beliefs are wrong or off, right now. Odds are I am missing things, and misinterpreting things. I hunt for people who disagree as there is no possible way to discover where I am wrong, or how from those who agree with me. If you agree with me on all things, only one thing is absolutely certain. YOU ARE WRONG! Follow the path that will get everyone "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth eventually, if you never stop the process till the day you die. Stop, and the promise of Luke 11:9-13 no longer applies to you. No one is guaranteed the beliefs that result in salvation until the day they die.

That said, based on ongoing habitual Fruits, a number of which I possessed a long time prior to me discovering the scriptures on the topic, I seem to pass ... so far. It appears to me you pass as well. Stay the path.

 

[GWH]

I believe this represents the norm in today's Christianity. Skip the necessary process and jump right to the core. What has to be believed. While all the 10,000 non-Christian belief groups, and all the 45,000 different "Christian" belief groups focus almost strictly on the core beliefs that prove they, and others love truth and have the truth when it comes to their core beliefs, every group evaluating based on their own beliefs, all 55,000 of them always do so by evaluating based on the alignment of other with their own beliefs, and the accepted data and interpretations they believe prove their beliefs true and all opposing beliefs false.

Everyone, in every belief group always passes their own test of loving truth and believing the truth, making it absolutely worthless for determining who loves and has truth. Everyone does. Of course, God says those evaluating love of truth and belief in truth based on their own beliefs, and those of the experts who agree with them, have absolutely no understanding at all. 2Co. 10:12 It's why a profession of faith is worthless for determining who is, and isn't, "in the faith". Although all true Christians are constantly evaluating the salvation of themselves and others, 2Co. 13:5-6, "Unless indeed they fail the test", vs. 5 Jesus warns true Christians to only evaluate based on ongoing habitual "Fruits". And no true Christian can ever possess the "Fruits" of the person who believes they are a Christian, but fails the "Fruits" test, and no person who fails the tests can ever possess those of the people who will be saved. Mat. 7:15-20

Interestingly, most agree that the "Narrow Gate" leading to life is saving faith in the truth. This would make the very broad gate every other belief on the planet. This would make the "Fruits" that are the ongoing "Path of tribulation" Mat. 7:14 (The consistent meaning for the word Thlebo throughout the Greek old and New Testaments: The Great "Tribulation", for example.) those that will get anyone "From" the erroneous beliefs in any of the 55,000 different belief groups, "to" truth, ... eventually... if they never stop the process. The good news is, if we never stop seeking, knocking, asking, ... till the day we die, (Present Tense) we are guaranteed, by God Himself, to get to saving faith in the truth and receiver the Holy Spirit ... eventually. Mat. 7:7-12/Luk. 11:9-13(vs. 13).

The broad, easy way is to get the beliefs, data and interpretations every belief group shares, select one of the 45,000 "Christian" belief groups and get on with living. After all, any group we are in, and any set of experts who agree with us, has the correct core beliefs, right?

So, what ongoing habitual "Fruits" lock 99% of all people into the beliefs they love "as" truth? That's the broad path. What habitual ongoing "Fruits" will get anyone, regardless of the beliefs they have now, "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if they never stop. (Because God is seeking, and will never stop seeking, that group. Joh. 4:23-24) Those who have rejected a love of the truth, God is no longer seeking. He gives them everything they need to hold fast to their beliefs, including all the original signs and wonders the true Christians of the 1st century possessed. Mat. 7:23-24

While almost everyone is focused only on the "Gate", no person on the planet can get to the "Narrow Gate to Life" if they aren't on the correct path. They are perishing. They are not saved, 2Th. 2:10 regardless of their intense beliefs, their zeal for God in accordance with those beliefs, ... and even if the correct gospel is set up flawlessly right before their very eyes, they cannot even see it, let alone believe it. 2Co. 4:3-4

The question isn't what beliefs are required for saving faith. The question is, what beliefs will result in us getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if we never stop the process. Fruits ... continuously evaluating the salvation of ourselves and others 2Co. 13:5-6 based on ongoing "Fruits" Mat. 7:15-20 and not beliefs 2Co. 10:12 "Unless indeed you fail the test". 2Co. 13:5 Continuously seeking, knocking, asking, and never stopping till the day we die. 1Th. 5:21 Those who already have the truth / unquestionably true core beliefs, already believe they have found, have had it opened to them, and have received. As far as their core beliefs go, they are done. They have everything they need. 2Th. 2:11

If you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, there is no possible way ANYONE is going to be able to keep you from studying through all the bible has to say 1Pe. 2:2-3 with the goal of getting to the truth of it so you can alter all you are to fit. There is no passage on "Reading" or "Memorizing" the bible. "Accurately dissecting" all of it so you do not stand ashamed, but rather stand approved, before Him, 2Ti. 2:15 yes. Reading ... no. Same with everything almost everyone in the 45,000 different belief groups do ... showing up for bible studies, praise and worship, ... if everyone does it, it's not one of the "Fruits" in Mat. 7:15-20.

What beliefs result in you grieving over anything you find in yourself that is contrary to what is pleasing to the God you love because of how much He loved you and took the penalty you deserved upon Himself while you were still His enemy and were hostile to him ... and then results in us doing absolutely everything in our power to correct every single flaw we find? 2Co. 7:9-11

There are a lot more. The trick is to get on the right path and stay on it until you get to that exceedingly narrow gate to life: "Faith in the truth". And only those who stay seeking, knocking, asking, proving all things over and over and over again, always holding fast to what is being proven good/true, and not to any beliefs, can get there. It's the only path, and it will result in all the ongoing "Fruits" God says are always true of true Christians.

Odds are my beliefs are wrong or off, right now. Odds are I am missing things, and misinterpreting things. I hunt for people who disagree as there is no possible way to discover where I am wrong, or how from those who agree with me. If you agree with me on all things, only one thing is absolutely certain. YOU ARE WRONG! Follow the path that will get everyone "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth eventually, if you never stop the process till the day you die. Stop, and the promise of Luke 11:9-13 no longer applies to you. No one is guaranteed the beliefs that result in salvation until the day they die.

That said, based on ongoing habitual Fruits, a number of which I possessed a long time prior to me discovering the scriptures on the topic, I seem to pass ... so far. It appears to me you pass as well. Stay the path.

For now I will focus on what I perceive to be the core of your creed: "The question isn't what beliefs are required for saving faith. The question is, what beliefs will result in us getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if we never stop the process."

I believe both questions are core.
Just because there is only one true answer does not mean there is not one true answer,

As a truthseeker I agree with the second question, but if it leads nowhere, what good is it?
Regarding the first question, we must have humility as we share our harmonization of GW that has led us to our creed.

I have amended my creed several times due to feedback on CC, and I intend to add the insight you shared regarding the second question as soon as I can figure out how to word it and where to insert it--so thanks!

 

[GWH]

For now I will focus on what I perceive to be the core of your creed: "The question isn't what beliefs are required for saving faith. The question is, what beliefs will result in us getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if we never stop the process."

I believe both questions are core.
Just because there is only one true answer does not mean there is not one true answer,

As a truthseeker I agree with the second question, but if it leads nowhere, what good is it?
Regarding the first question, we must have humility as we share our harmonization of GW that has led us to our creed.

I have amended my creed several times due to feedback on CC, and I intend to add the insight you shared regarding the second question as soon as I can figure out how to word it and where to insert it--so thanks!

What about this?

6. This creed summarizes revelation of the NT Gospel/Truth (Matt. 26:13, John 14:6, Rom. 1:18&25, 2Thes. 2:10-13), which fulfilled the OT revelation (Matt. 5:17, John 19:13, Heb. 7:11-10:1) and culminates the search for salvation by souls who know only general revelation (Rom. 1:20, 2:14-16). Repenting of sin and seeking salvation (Matt. 4:17, 7:7) begins with love of Truth, which is the Way to the Door of eternal life, who is the Lord Jesus (2Thes. 2:10, John 14:6, 1:1-18).

 

[EmethAlethia]

For now I will focus on what I perceive to be the core of your creed: "The question isn't what beliefs are required for saving faith. The question is, what beliefs will result in us getting "From" erroneous beliefs "to" truth ... eventually, if we never stop the process."

I believe both questions are core.
Just because there is only one true answer does not mean there is not one true answer,

As a truthseeker I agree with the second question, but if it leads nowhere, what good is it?
Regarding the first question, we must have humility as we share our harmonization of GW that has led us to our creed.

I have amended my creed several times due to feedback on CC, and I intend to add the insight you shared regarding the second question as soon as I can figure out how to word it and where to insert it--so thanks!

If we miss the truth on the topic of saving faith, which is guaranteed if we make the wrong choice in 2Th. 2:10 we will perish and cannot even see the truth even if it is presented perfectly to us. 2Co. 4:3-4 We are guaranteed, with god's reinforcement, to believe lies are truth and the truth is lies. 2Th. 2:11 Everyone gets "Faith" from God. How's that one for a mind bender?

What beliefs will get us "From" erroneous beliefs "To" truth, and what beliefs will harden us into whatever beliefs we have right now, closing our eyes and ears to ever seriously considering, let alone objectively examining evidence to the contrary? It is those beliefs that result in an ongoing never ceasing process "Proving all things over and over again, "accurately dissecting" every passage that "might" apply to each topic, with a willingness to alter any/all of our beliefs to fit what is being proven good / true that is the one and ONLY "path" leading to that exceedingly narrow "Gate" or "Faith" leading to life.

These "Beliefs" result in the ongoing "Fruits" that differentiate those who have received a love of the truth from those who love their beliefs. Jesus warns true Christians to evaluate salvation based on these "Fruits", not on beliefs. Mat. 7:15-20 and the "Fruits" of having received a love of the truth are many. You found another Heb. 11:6 You can't come to God unless you believe He rewards those who keep on continuously seeking Him and never stop. And if you believe it, your "Fruits" prove it. if you don't, your "fruits" prove that as well. Good job by the way.

Interestingly, the humblest person who ever lived was Jesus. The same one who made knotted cords and whipped all the people buying and selling out of the temple. The same one who called His religious leaders and experts, "You brood of vipers, you sons of your father the devil." Humility before God and God's word is key. Jesus boldly stood up for truth ... and they killed Him for it. I gladly reach out for anything that "might" disprove ANY of my beliefs. I hunger for those things. I lavish those moments. I have an opportunity to exchange a lie for a truth. Anyone willing to do so I love for their willingness to share. Does that mean I won't study it through and conclude they distorted the meaning of scriptures, or outright ignored it, or completely changed it's meaning to hold fast to their beliefs? No. How I have the beliefs I have right now is because I did those exact same things.

I am no better and no worse than every other human being on this planet. I am just as prone to being deceived and believing lies are truth and the truth is lies as anyone else. What separates me from most is I really don't care about my beliefs. I only care for truth, and I recognize my current beliefs for what they are ... stepping stones to the truth to be left behind as I continue my life walking towards it. I WILL HAVE IT! None, including myself, will stand in my way. I believe I have found a kindred spirit.

"Fruits" and the "Path". If you have the right "Fruits" and stay on the right "Path" truth is just around the bend. I'll race you to it!

I will answer the question by telling a story...

I had a interaction with a preacher who's church I was visiting. The discussion turned south when He would not concede that God's authority is greater than the Bible's authority. As I was leaving, he said, "Something is wrong with your hermeneutics". I felt spiritually drained on the way home and asked God if it were possible that I had been wrong and the preacher had been right. Immediately, God reminded me of the Scripture, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them" (2 Ti 3:14).

This is an important lesson. You can trust and be confident in your interpretation of Scripture if (and only if) you know that God is the one who taught it to you and if He is assuring you that it is true.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Joh 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

Joh 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

There are more, but as far as God and His word are concerned, they are one in the same... unless Jesus doesn't have God's authority ... oh wait ...

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.