2/25/18 “THE BIBLE – TRUTH OR TOLERANCE?”– Pastor Shane Idleman

The Bible – Truth or Tolerance

THEOLOGY ON FIRE Series #1

Intro. Theology On Fire – Can’t do this subject justice, BUT I can spark hunger.

• The Bible is the foundation of theology [the study of God].

• Systematic Theology is working systematically through it.

1. God’s decrees and commands: “Let there be…”

When He speaks it is true: the plumb line, the gauge, the standard for truth.

• TRUTH DOESN’T TOLERATE OPPOSING VIEWS.

2. Jesus is the Word of God: On screen John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

3. God speaks through flawed vessels: 2 Peter 1:21, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The closer you draw to God – the more you resemble His character and nature, and are filled with His Spirit, the more you will speak His truth.

KEY: When God speaks, all avenues speak with the same voice.

• Be Beareans – another reason we have it written out.

Top 7 RULES OF HERMENEUTICS

– http://www.apologeticsindex.org/5846-biblical-interpretation-rules

1. The rule of DEFINITION:

2. The rule of USAGE: O.T. written to the Jews

3. The rule of CONTEXT:

4. The rule of HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

5. The rule of LOGIC:

6. The rule of PRECEDENT: We must not violate the known usage of a word.

7. The rule of UNITY:

*We communicate the same way.

Would GOD know how to preserve His Word?

• TEST it – scientifically, prophetically, archaeologically, and historically.

The Majority text / Textus receptus  Vs. Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus

• How we got our Bible at WCFAV.org: http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/8115-how-we-got-our-bible-what-translation-is-best-pastor-shane-idleman/

• Apocrypha: No NT writer quotes it; Josephus said, “not of equal credit.”

After 30 years of exceptionally thorough research, using the laws of legal evidence, involving investigation of every consonant in the entire Old Testament (some 1 ¼ million), including manuscript variations, Dr. Robert Wilson concluded, “I can affirm that there is not a page of the Old’ Testament concerning which we need have any doubt” and, apart from minor copyists mistakes, “We can be absolutely certain” that “we have the text of the Old Testament that Christ and the Apostles had, and which was in existence from the beginning’.” [Facts on King James Only – John Ankerberg]

• Jesus quoted it – That’s all I need to know!

• The NT lines up with everything in the O.T. [UNITY, LOGIC, CONTEXT].

We have the words of Jesus and those who knew Him [authoritative].

Formal equivalence vs Dynamic equivalence (“functional equivalence”)

Lesbian sympathizer Virginia Mollencott was involved in the NIV translation – she sat on the literary (stylistic) committee, but only for a few months. However, she had nothing to do with the translation, and once her sexual views were known, she was asked to resign.

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FIRE: Are you more dogmatic that broken? Is it more about doctrine then deliverance from pride? Do you use the Bible to prove everyone wrong, or as a mirror to remove the log from your own eye?

FIRE: It’s not the translation [in most cases]; the problem is that most are not reading it. And very few apply it:

• Disobeying God’s Word and avoiding it makes us spiritually dull.

• Blessings dry up and negativity sets in.

On screen PSALM 1:1-4, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

• What does the Bible say not Beyonce. Hang out in the Psalms not Cinemark.

• Do you meditate on NASCAR or Colossians – Doritos, a 6-pack, and a Dodge Charger.

EXAMPLE OF EXCUSING CONVICTION: I didn’t say don’t watch movies or NASCAR.

Vs. 4 – “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Nothing speaks with such authority, such power, such grace, such truth –

These are the words of the LIVING GOD

• Return and be healed.

• Believe and see.

Trust and be strengthened.