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Importance of studying the Scriptures 
Most important doctrine of the Church ? (Wahshing)
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I agree with your main point of putting Christ foremost in our lives. But how do we do that if we do not turn to the Scriptures? How do we know Christ or know God apart from what is revealed to us in Scriptures? Theologians make Scriptures out to be very difficult to understand but that wasn’t what God intended: Ps 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. A good bible teacher must be able to explain the most difficult Scriptures so that even a young child can understand. Ps 119:130 can’t be wrong - we can only say there is certainly something wrong with theologies that have developed over these thousands of years. Because of this, we have much doctrinal disagreements in the churches/denominations and a lot of troubled minds. Eventually, people lose confidence in the Bible. They are not even encouraged to study the Bible, when in fact God wants us to do so. Satan has thus far been very successful in adulterating the Word of God as he did from the beginning. So successful, in fact, it becomes very widespread in hearing people say all they need to do is follow the Spirit’s prompting and pray. And the Word of God becomes of secondary importance; even though God Himself exalted it to eminence: Ps 138:2 … thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. People make a lot of apparently wise statements concerning doctrines/beliefs in the Bible. But many of these come from their own imaginations, not the Word of God. Let me be blunt with you and say that you are guilty of this as well: You wrote: “We are reminded of the Pharisees who held such high regard for the scriptures. They equated their intellectual knowledge of scripture as the basis for spirituality and eternal life. However, Jesus explained to them that the scriptures, themselves, were not the "end," but a "means" to bring them to the true objective which is Himself — Jesus Christ! He said to them, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).” The Pharisees, leaders of the mainstream at the time of Jesus, did not hold the Scriptures in high regard as you claim They sat in the seat of Moses, but they teach man’s doctrines or if they teach the Scriptures, they do not follow them in practice: Mtt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mtt 23:1-3 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. The Pharisees’ problem is not, as you claim, putting too much emphasis on knowing the Scriptures. If you turn to the OT you will be surprised how much emphasis God put on studying and knowing the Scriptures. Their problem is their deep ignorance of the Scriptures, despite the enormous amount of time spent in theological training; they did not know that the Scriptures actually prove that Jesus is the Christ Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Jn 5:38,39 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Jesus Christ wanted the Pharisees to go search the scriptures because the scriptures are full of proofs that the person talking to them is the Messiah. Their problem, Jesus said, is that “ye have not his word abiding in you” – they don’t have the Word of God in them; their minds and hearts are filled with man’s doctrines and their own imaginations. In Acts, Paul’s first mission when he stepped into a synagogue is to prove to them that Jesus is their Messiah- how? From the Scriptures!!! Check me out on that. God wants us to study the Scriptures and know the deep things too, not remain as babes in Christ, so that we will not be swayed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Heb 5:12-14 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Despite the great confusions surrounding the Word of God, we must take care not to overemphasize the importance of own thoughts, personal conduct, holiness or prayer life at the expense of the Scriptures or the need to study them. |
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seeing Jesus Christ in our study of the scripture by Keith, 2001, Oct 27
Again I agree, as I do notice this trend myself and also am not pleased with it by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 28
Clarifications by LBS, 2001, Oct 28
ok. clarification noted. eom. by Keith, 2001, Oct 29
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