Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration

Amazingly enough, I’ve been invited to speak at Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration, which is what they call their lectureship nowadays. It’ll be good to visit my alma mater and share a few ideas on grace. The topic is “What Really Is … 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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Interpreting the Bible: The Holy Spirit Matters

Let me suggest that we take more seriously a couple of passages that we don’t talk about very much– (1 Cor. 2:14-16)  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for … Continue reading

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