Category Archives: Index

Interpreting the Bible: Big Rocks Go in First!

Several years ago, our then minister, Buddy Jones, preached a powerful sermon. He begin with a large, clear glass. Maybe it was a brandy snifter. He began by talking about how busy we all are. He placed some large smooth … Continue reading

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Reflections on the Instrumental Music Question

Here I am, an elder of an a cappella Church of Christ, and we just had another wonderful worship service with truly marvelous singing. We’ve figured out how to do a truly excellent job with our singing (praise team of … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Instruments of Music

So let’s try out all these theories on a tough question: is a cappella music in worship mandatory? Rather than considering the traditional arguments, let’s go through the hermeneutical principles taught earlier and see where they lead us. Each bold … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: But I Say Unto You …

Additional important examples of Jesus’ hermeneutics are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Early in the sermon, Jesus declares, (Matt. 5:17-18) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Woe to You Pharisees!

Consider how Jesus interpreted the Old Testament: (Matt. 23:16-22) “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Learn from Your Opponents

Many years go, public television aired a biography of Socrates. I well remember an exchange between him and one of his opponents– Opponent: Socrates, you have to stop teaching these lies! You’re destroying your reputation. People are laughing at you. … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Learn from History

I imagine this sounds contradictory to what I just said about being cautious in using the Patristics, but it’s not. We do need to learn from history, but what we need to learn is more about ourselves. The Bible is … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Distinguishing Commands from Historical Accidents

Some things are in the Bible to teach us and as examples we are to follow. Other things are just what happened–not as examples. Jesus changed water into wine at a wedding. Does this mean we are to serve wine … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Beware the Patristics

The “Patristics” are letters and such written by uninspired Christians in the centuries shortly after the founding of the church. Sometimes the authors are called the “Church Fathers.” We are blessed by having a considerable volume of these writings. We … Continue reading

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Interpreting the Bible: Be Careful of Positive Law

I’m not real happy with this title, but I couldn’t think of a better way to say it without a paragraph-long caption. “Positive law” is a law that’s a law just because someone in power (God in this context) says … Continue reading

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