1041. Even as People of Faith, It's Okay to Say, "I Don't Know"

We can all look back at the many things we've learned (or unlearned) about God, His love, the message of Jesus and His redemptive work at the cross. And yet, there seems to be so much we don't know when it comes to eternal things. Theology becomes a tangled mess full of twists and turns. We change our perspectives sometimes, especially when God's Spirit helps us in reaching a greater knowledge of the truth, perhaps one small bite at a time. But as humans, some of what we believe about Bible doctrine and things related to it may also just be a matter of opinion or perspective based upon what we know, think, or have been taught.

This week's program is rather unique as we discuss individual perspectives about faith, believing, and questions that may be difficult to answer. In the end, God is not frustrated with our ignorance ... and sometimes it's okay to say, "I don't know for sure what the answer is to that."



   
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1040. Is the Bible God's Word and Our Final Authority?

In our culture today, the collection of writings commonly referred to as The Bible has often been called God's Word. Some call it our final authority. Yet we see within the pages where it is Jesus who is specifically defined as the Word who was with God from the beginning—and was God—and He became flesh. In Him was life and light. Jesus never promised an addendum to the writings of the old, holy, Jewish scriptures ... but did indeed promise to send His Spirit as a helper and guide.

This is not to minimize the Bible or anything in it, whether it be Old or New Testament. The pages are a reliable source of truth that point us to the Life-giver. But there is much confusion amongst thousands of corporate Christian church denominations with a multitude of different opinions that do not align ... and yet they pretty much all consider the Bible as the source for their beliefs. God is not the author of that confusion. Considering the phrase, "the word" ... it can be defined in multiple ways when looking through the pages of the Bible. For example, there was a word of law for the Jews and there was something better that came along that Paul preached, which he called the word of faith. One was given for the Jews "to do" under what is now an obsolete covenant, while the other was given for anyone to believe in a new and better covenant.

But we are not on a divine path to become perfect interpreters of the Bible. This is not our destination. It's all about keeping our eyes on the person of Jesus with the help of His Spirit while getting to know Him. He is our final authority and the Author of faith, life, and salvation.



   
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1030. Overcoming the Need to Convince Others to Agree With You

This week is a spontaneous conversation we were not planning on doing—as it happened in real time.

There are tons of different church brands out there. Most consider the pages of the Bible as the source for their beliefs. And yet, consider there are millions of different opinions and perspectives that may be very contrary to each other. Even within circles where individuals consider themselves a grace-minded person, it's easy to get caught in the trap of thinking it's our job as Christians to persuade others to believe every wind of Bible doctrine in the same way we do. This is just an indicator that we need human validation while trying to use Bible verses to "prove" our version of the truth.

Anyone can bend biblical passages to their point of view—and can sound convincing—regardless of how accurate they may or may not be. The "I'm right" and "they're wrong" approach may have good intentions but it is not likely to be established or rooted in love and maturity. Growing in grace can help us with this as we lean on God's Spirit for guidance.



   
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1016. The New Covenant Is Contained Within a Person - Not the Pages

After more than twenty years of doing the Growing in Grace podcast, you might have guessed we like talking about the gospel, God's undying love, and overflowing grace. Nearly each week, our conversations use the Bible as a springboard ... and we're so thankful to be able to have these writings to look back upon.

However, like with any religion who uses their own written material or "book" to guide them through a belief system, it is easy for the followers to place their faith in the written manual—not unlike a form of worship. Within the wide variety of Christian denominations and doctrines, it becomes somewhat like a competition on who has the more accurate interpretation ... which may be very different from another persuasion with a large following.

Our conversation this week is an encouragement for all of us not to get so tangled within the tittles found on the pages ... and to keep our focus on Jesus—looking to Him as the author and finisher of faith. He is the truth, the life, and the only way to God. God gave Him as a covenant to both Jews and Gentiles. He provided us with a guide for this life ... not letters written with ink—but His living Spirit—as we look to that which is not seen.



   
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999. Knowing "About" Him Vs. Knowing Him (and the Power of His Resurrection)

The Apostle Paul could have competed with anyone in the boasting department when considering his background as a Jewish person who was born under the law. He was dedicated to it—even to the point of persecuting and executing Jews who believed in Jesus.

But he counted it all as loss and rubbish after gaining Christ, not having his own righteousness through dead works but attaining God's righteousness by faith in Christ. Again—faith ... not works. This led him to a special place and heartfelt desire to know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.

What does this look like? How can it happen for us? Is the focus based on proper Bible teaching and interpretation? Sound doctrine? Depending on the correct belief system which may change and evolve? Our program this week is meant to bring a reminder and encouragement that God lives in us and His Holy Spirit is very real. Sadly, He is sometimes forgotten to a degree and even considered a thing of the past—even by those who consider themselves ministers of the gospel ... which is not contained within pages containing words and letters ... but is found within a Person who is very much alive.



   
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932. Thoughts About Scriptures

We're doing a different type of program this week that is more about perspectives designed to give all of us some food for thought. Most of us have been handed down a very wide variety of assumptions and doctrines related to things contained within the pages of the Bible. But along the way, there is also quite a bit we've been told from others about what they think the Bible itself is or how it is perceived. For example, it is often called a book, when it is made up of many books and writings written by many different people. Our assumptions will have an effect on what we see or read within the pages. We also address how "scriptures" are defined.

Letters in the New Testament were written to specific people, often responding to questions that occurred after Paul left from a previous visit. Some of it was meant just for them, but we can still gain great truth from it. There is an incredible historical context that is often overlooked. But ultimately these NT writings were either written or dictated by people who were witnesses of the risen Jesus. He is the reason for the pages ... they don't give life, but Jesus does, and they point to Him as the way to eternal life. In spite of the many things written, He should always be our focus.



   
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925. Christians Never Disagree About the Bible (Just Kidding) - A Holy Spirit Solution

We call it The Bible. A collection of writings that have resulted in millions of never-ending interpretations, opinions, doctrines and debates. There are thousands of Christian church denominations that have very, very different viewpoints on what should be considered foundational aspects of the faith. And yet, they all claim the Bible is their foundation for what they believe. Weird, right?

People begin to wonder what is true and what is not when it comes to understanding a Bible verse or passage ... or ideologies about the writings. They begin looking for someone or something to which they can subscribe and believe. Should the main focus be placed on proper interpretation of the Bible books ... or will this outcome just result in frustration and uncertainty?

The pages themselves tell us where to look and who we can trust. It doesn't come from an outside or external source that we can see, hear, and touch, but from within.



   
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867. This May Have Caused More Division Among Believers Than Anything Else

It’s easily skimmed over or swept under the rug, but it’s difficult to deny there are thousands of different church corporations and Christian denominations with very different dogmas and doctrines. This isn’t exactly breaking news, but let’s face this reality and talk this out. Think about it, millions of varied opinions from a perspective of theology, endless debates about (what should be) some of the most foundational issues from forgiveness to salvation. Who is right? Who is wrong? Why all the confusion? Which group should I associate with?

If believers in Jesus all have the same Spirit of God living within, how is it that perspectives and opinions can be so far apart in many cases? There is something that most of these religious branches—and individuals—have in common. They claim their conclusions come from a collection of books called the Bible. The Jews already had writings (scriptures) … and they pointed to Jesus. If we think the Bible is truly meant to be the final authority that ensures its every reader of being solidified in the truth, we may want to ask why Jesus said He would send His Spirit to lead, guide and reveal truth as He looked ahead to the New Covenant.



   
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826. Things Seldom Heard in Church: "Mount Sermon" Not a New Christian Teaching

If you are under the assumption that most of what Jesus spoke was meant to be applied directly for you as a believer in Christ, you’ll end up with all sorts of inconsistencies and potential confusion in your belief system. Within those red letters found in the Bible, the majority of what Jesus spoke was aimed at Jewish people who were under a hopeless position, living under the law within what is now an obsolete covenant.

But if you’ve been taught by church ideology that when Jesus was speaking to His disciples … that He was also talking to you … then you’ll jump to some inaccurate conclusions when it comes to the gospel of grace.

Are we dismissing, ignoring or running from the words of Jesus? Absolutely not. Understanding the ministry of Jesus as a man walking the earth—and what He spoke at that time—needs to be considered in the proper context in order to come to a greater knowledge of the truth.

Five years ago we did a foundational 20-podcast series called "Why Jesus Taught Two Covenants" that will help in understanding all of this.  The first episode of that series can be found here, and you can listen to the subsequent parts from there, or you can listen via the YouTube playlist here.

   
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698. Is it "Biblical"? (Part 2)

Is it biblical? When we hear this question, usually someone is asking if it’s in the Bible. Another motivation may be to find out if it’s a principle based upon the truth of the Bible. Since anyone can quote Bible verses and appear to be fitting them into a jigsaw puzzle in order to create a picture which fits their own belief system, this question may be overemphasized. It’s also interesting to see how many things found within the Mosaic law are sometimes considered as a part of Christianity, while other things within the very same pages are completely ignored. For example, in Deuteronomy 22, there are instructions on what to do if you come across a bird’s nest in a tree or on the ground. Following the instructions to the letter would mean… “that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” It’s as “biblical” as any other of the 613 commandments and statutes but it's hardly a mantra of the church today. So while the church continues to pick and choose old covenant commands to be considered “biblical” from a doctrinal perspective, they fail to realize you either have to follow the entire law or it all had to come to an end. Christ became the end of the law.



   
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