Originally posted 11/5/24
This is a continuation of a series on Theology in the Church.
Theology Part 3
Theology Part 2
Theology Part 1
The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.
Seventy-one percent of Evangelicals believe that this statement is false. If I interpret this correctly, Seventy-one percent of Evangelicals believe the Bible is true. Why do twenty-nine percent think the Bible is not literally true? I have heard that some people think the Bible is true except for Genesis. Can we say that parts are true and parts are not? Doesn’t that take away from the validity of God? How would you decide which part is true and which part is not true? Some parts can be scary, but it is all true!
www.gotquestions.org tells us, “Logic requires that there is only one objective “truth” for any specific claim. Contradictory claims cannot be equally true. For example, the statements “the hamster is in its cage” and “the hamster cage is empty” cannot both be true simultaneously. This evaluation of truth applies to spiritual matters just as well as logical or physical matters. It’s reasonable to claim that the Bible is true in a way that excludes all other statements. Examining the Bible in the same way we would any other text, we can confidently say that it is, in fact, true.”
We are commanded in Scripture to test the spirits. 1John 4:1 tells us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Scriptures were examined daily. Acts 17:1, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Luke was an eyewitness to the events. He wrote in Luke 1:1-4, “ Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Peter addresses the myth concept and refutes it. 2 Peter 1:16 says, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
John goes so far as to tell why he wrote his book. He says in John 20:30-31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 18:37says, “Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
In John 14:6 Jesus calls himself the truth: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
www.gotquestions.org says, “Where we can check biblical claims against verifiable truth, the Bible proves itself accurate. History, archaeology, science, and philosophy have shown Scripture to be factual and consistent. This correspondence between various forms of evidence is a major advantage the Bible has over the scriptures of any other faith system. In many cases, it has been the deciding factor in converting skeptics and nonbelievers to faith in Christ.”
“Whether or not the Bible is true is a separate question from whether or not a particular passage is “literal.” It’s reasonable to say that a phrase or statement is true, even if the truth is not presented in literal terms. For example, if a person says during a heavy rain, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” the statement is true—it’s just not literal. Idiomatic phrases are meant to be interpreted. The same principle applies to John’s words about Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Of course, a person might ask for clarification, and be told, based on Old Testament passages, that Jesus isn’t literally a wooly farm animal, but that He’s the fulfillment of the Law and the divinely chosen sacrifice to redeem the world. The figurative nature of John’s statement doesn’t make his statement untrue, simply metaphorical. It’s good to remember that the Bible is comprised of sixty-six separate books, and each of them often contains different types of literature and a mixture of literal and figurative language.”
“More so than with any other religious text, we have assurance that the Bible is true. The combination of internal consistency, connection to evidence, and relevance to our experience makes the Bible unique among books. Like many religious works, the Bible claims to be true (2 Timothy 3:16). Unlike any other religious work, the Bible emphatically supports that assertion.” (www.gotquestions.org)
The Bible is 100% accurate in all that it teaches.
Most Christians believe the Bible is 100% accurate. The percentage that believes in the accuracy of the Bible is ninety-five percent. This topic is similar to the last one. If we believe the Bible is true, we believe it is accurate.
There are a lot of resources available to discuss how the Bible was validated and the individual books were selected. The methods of validating the Bible was the same way other ancient texts were validated. I found these two to be particularly helpful:
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Modern science disproves the Bible.
Sixty-three percent of Evangelicals believe this to be false. I am somewhat troubled that thirty-seven percent of Evangelicals believe that science disproves the Bible. The number of young people who think that science disproves the Bible is hovering around fifty percent.
Www.gotquestions.org puts it beautifully, “Science is defined as “the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.” Science is a method that mankind can use to gain a greater understanding of the natural universe. It is a search for knowledge through observation. Advances in science demonstrate the reach of human logic and imagination. However, a Christian’s belief in science should never be like our belief in God. A Christian can have faith in God and respect for science, as long as we remember which is perfect and which is not.”
“Although much of modern humanity rejects the God of the Bible because of so-called scientific evidence, the case against God’s existence is getting weaker by the day. Contrary to popular opinion, modern science has not ruled out the existence of the God of Scripture. To the contrary the evidence makes it more and more clear that we are here as a result of God’s special creation rather than by some chance of evolution. The Bible itself contains nothing scientifically absurd but actually anticipates some of the discoveries of modern science. The truths about God and His creation that are revealed in Scripture can still stand up to the most rigorous scientific questioning.” Here is the link if you would like to read the entire article. https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_287.cfm
If you want to read more, Don Stewart answers more questions in this article.
God chose the people he would save before he created the world.
Fifty-one percent of Evangelicals believe that God chose the people he would save before he created the world. In my opinion, this is more of a secondary issue. However, I do believe it.
I look at the passage in Romand 8:29-30 which is often referred to as the “Golden Chain”. “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
We can also look at Eph 1:4-5, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will”
Hell is a real place where certain people will be punished forever.
Ninety-four percent of Evangelicals believe that hell is a real place. Again, I am concerned about the six percent who do not. I want us to read what God’s Word has to say about hell.
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 51:4 “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”
Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Matthew 3:12 “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Daniel 12:2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Mark 9:44-49 “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire.”
Luke 16:23-24 “and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’”
2 Thessalonians 1:9 “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,”
Revelation 14:10-11 “he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.””
Revelation 20:10 “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
There will be a time when Jesus Christ returns to judge all the people who have lived.
Ninety-eight percent of Evangelicals consider this statement to be true. As church attendance decreases so does the belief in this statement. There is no better place to discuss this important truth than looking at the Word of God.
Matthew 25:33 “And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Matt 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
John 5:22-23 “ For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”
John 9:39 “Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”
John 12:31-33 “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”
Acts 17:31 “because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Revelation 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”
Revelation 20:15 “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church.
Forty-one percent of Evangelicals think that this is not a valid replacement.
The letters in the New Testament were written to churches not individuals. It seems that the expectation would be that we would go to church. Satan wants us isolated. We need each other to encourage us and help us grow as believers. What does the BIble say about gathering together? My go-to verses are Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
The Bible speaks about loving one another. Love is an action. It seems difficult for us to love our brothers and sisters if we do not join them in worship. John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””
1 Peter 1:22 says, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”
1 John 4:11 states, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 speaks about love: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
Ephesians 5:25 and 32 states, ”Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, … This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
www.gotquestions.org says it like this: “We are also called the “body of Christ.” This body has many parts, just as a physical body does (1 Corinthians 12:27). One body part cannot exist on its own. The heart cannot go solo; the chin cannot survive on its own. Any one part needs the participation of all the other parts in order to function successfully. The same is true for the members of the body of Christ. Jesus equips each one with certain gifts that He wants us to use to benefit the whole (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–30). Romans 12:4–5 says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” There is no room in this passage for solo Christians.”
“The solo Christian is a loner also misses out on preaching, corporate worship times, and opportunities to serve. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We grow sharper as useful tools for God when we learn from each other, pray for each other, and invest ourselves in the lives of others. Local churches offer many opportunities in which to use our gifts to serve others and glorify God. Avoiding such connections weakens the solo Christian as well as the local body.”
It is necessary for some to watch church online. Due to health restrictions, it is the only option for many. My husband’s parents have not been able to attend church for quite some time due to health and mobility issues. They have comments so many times about how they feel really disconnected from their church body.
Every Christian has an obligation to join a local church.
Only sixty-eight percent of Evangelicals believe that we have an obligation to join a local church. The Bible doesn’t address that topic specifically.
Every Christian has an obligation to join a local church.
Only sixty-eight percent of Evangelicals believe that we have an obligation to join a local church. The Bible doesn’t address that topic specifically.
Church membership is important for the believers. We need to be under the authority of a pastor. I like the way that www.gotquestions.org frames the issue:
“Church membership is important because it helps define the pastor’s responsibility. Hebrews 13:17 instructs, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” Whom will a pastor give an account for, except the members of his own church? He is not responsible for all the Christians in the world, only for those under his care. Likewise, he is not responsible for all the people in his community, only for believers under his leadership—his church members. Membership in a local church is a way of voluntarily placing oneself under the spiritual authority of a pastor.”
“Church membership is also important because, without it, there can be no accountability or church discipline. First Corinthians 5:1–13 teaches a church how to deal with blatant, unrepentant sin in its midst. In verses 12–13, the words inside and outside are used in reference to the church body. We only judge those who are “inside” the church—church members. How can we know who is “inside” or “outside” the church without an official membership roll? See also Matthew 18:17.”
Stay tuned for Part Five.
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