How To Deal With Problems
In the Bible
1. Believe that the Bible is the word of God without error, completely true, and entirely inspired by God. Once you approach the scriptures with this presupposition it is just a matter of time before you will see that there are no contradictions, errors, or inconsistencies in the Bible.
2. Just because a problem cannot apparently be solved by one does not mean that there is something wrong with the scriptures. God may eventually reveal to us the solution in His time and for His sovereign purpose.
3. Believe that God’s word is as dependable as the character of God. It is impossible for God to lie.
4. We do not always have to insist that our interpretation is the absolutely correct one. We attempt to show a reasonable explanation for the meaning of scripture. It is never the scripture that is wrong but our understanding that is inadequate.
5. If there appears to be some contradiction in scripture we should reserve judgment. Even people are innocent until proven guilty.
6. When there are accusations of accuracy, truth, or credibility, its probably originating from the devil. Satan’s nature seeks to question, discredit, and undermine God’s authority. Satan has been a liar from the beginning.
7. Normally the truthfulness of the Bible is handled in introduction to the O.T. & N.T.. Here matters of internal and external criticism are dealt with in depth and breadth. If you want to deal at length with these matters read books like Stan Guthrie’s N.T. Introduction.
8. When different authors say things differently this does not mean there is a discrepancy in scripture. For example, Matthew says in 16:16, ``You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mark says in 8:29, ``You are the Christ.’’ Luke says in 9:20, ``The Christ of God.’’ Realize that Matthew was emphasizing to Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He stresses the aspects of Jesus as the King. He is trying to show how Jesus in his ministry and life fulfilled the O.T. scriptures. Matthew stressed the Jewishness of the gospel. Matthew stresses the importance of how Jesus is from the Davidic lineage. Therefore Matthew is very sensitive to phrases like the kingdom of heave and our Father in heaven and as Jesus as the Son of David. His perspective would naturally emphasize the Son of the living God.
Mark, on the other hand, emphasizes more of what Jesus DID than what he SAID. Mark’s style is simple, succinct, brief, and fast moving. It reads almost like a newspaper. He uses the word immediately many times. When he says, ``You are the Christ.’’ he is emphasizing the cross, the importance of discipleship, commitment, and the servant’s role of Jesus as opposed to the rulership idea that the Roman Christian might have favored. He is keenly aware of the need to face persecution, suffering, and hardships. While stressing the humanity of Jesus, he does not neglect Jesus Christ deity as is seen in Mk. 8:29.
Luke, in contrast, addresses a Gentile audience with his theme of ``the gospel for everyman’’. He stresses how Jesus came from God to seek and save those who were lost, regardless of their background, education, culture, language, race, or religion. He emphasizes the warm, sensitive, and human side of Jesus. He reveals Jesus as the deliver, the Messiah whom people had waited centuries for. In Lk. 9:22 he stresses how as the Son of Man he shows how he must suffer. Christ was formerly a designation that was reserved for God alone. Here Luke chooses to stress that Jesus is originating from God’s purpose, identity, plans, and power. There is more than one way to express a truth. Its all a matter of perspective and view point!
9. Do not require that every scripture gives you a complete explanation on every aspect of a truth. Scripture promises that it contains everything we need to live life worthy of His calling, able to equip us for every good work, and adequate for our every need, but not necessarily every desire. God’s grace is always sufficient for His will in His way. Hudson Taylor once said, ``God’s will done in God’s way will not lack God’s support.
10. Some aspects of one account may not be relevant to an author’s explanation. For example, John may choose to emphasize the three times that Jesus asked Peter, ``Do you love me.’’ He thought that it was relevant, important, and germane to His theme to stress the importance of loving Jesus not just with phileo love (Friendship), but with agape love (God’s unconditional love) The writer’s purpose must always be considered in our interpretations. Each author has the prerogative to be selective in the accounts he describes.
11. Historical accounts were written with everyday language in N.T. times. Writing from a Greek or Hebrew perspective one would not require an exact transcription of everything that was said like some lawyers would require. The people of the Biblical days would communicate in natural conversational language not worrying about getting every single detail in its place. They used ``Phenomenal language’’-everyday language that speaks of things as they appear. ( McQuilken,p.207) So when the people said, ``The sun is rising, they were speaking from their unscientific but natural perspectives.
12. In some manuscripts there are a few transcriptural errors. This occurs because the documents were hand copied and the Hebrew language uses letters are used for numbers at times. In every case, the differences, such as spelling, do not change, in one single case the meaning of the text. Parallel texts should be compared.
13. The Bible was not written to be a scientific textbook. We should not expect the scriptures to give us complicated explanations about technical theory. For example, the scriptures were not written to explain to us the theory of relativity, or the theory of engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry. The scriptures were written to equip us for all good works by teaching, reproving, correcting, and training us in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
14. The credibility of the scriptures rest with the author, its writers, and its witnesses. Jesus bore witness to all the things spoken by the prophets.
15. We have nearly 18,000 documents testifying of the scriptures accuracy, veracity, and truthfulness. Far more than for any other book in history.
16. People who have a hard time believing the miracles of the Bible should first examine their own philosophical presuppositions. For example, if a man comes to the scripture from a pragmatic viewpoint, he might say, ``I will not believe it until I see that it works.’’ This sounds like doubting Thomas who told Jesus,’’I will not believe until I see.’’ Jesus countered by responding to Thomas, ``Blessed are those who having not seen and yet believe.’’ (Jn.20:24-28)
17. People who have a hard time understanding the scripture should realize that it is a matter of faith, training, knowledge, resources that are available to them, and God’s illuminative ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, ``If any man is willing to do my will, he will know of the teaching . . .’’ (Jn.7:37)
18. The miracles of scripture were witnessed by many. Furthermore, God’s purposes were always carried out through His genuine miracles. Some people, like the sons of Sceva tried to imitate the miracles of God, but were severely punished and shamed. In Acts 19:14-20, the evil spirits turned on these counterfeit agent of the Holy Spirit and said, ``Jesus I know and I know about Paul, but who are you? Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.’’
19. Mythological literature was often for the entertainment and teaching of its audience. Scripture is not mythological at all. We constantly see the progressive revelation unfolding the purposes of God. The arguments but Kant, Kierkagard, and Bultman about demythologicalizing the scriptures is unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
20. Do not allow culture to take precedence over the truths of scripture. Although, the truth of culture may appear popular, good, and effective, they may be deceptively false or only partially true. For example, a common view is expressed by the Hausa proverb, ``Wanda ke kusa da murfo, ba zai kasance da gayan tuwo ba.’’ The one who stays close to the stove will not lack soup in his meal. This is typically used to explain that if a man wants good things he should stay close to the source of benefits such as people of influence. Even though there is plenty of truth in this proverb, the scripture says, ``Love not the world nor the things in the world, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not from the Father, but are from the world.’’ (I Jn. 2:15,16)
21. Understand that many things will be revealed to us in heaven. Paul said, ``Though I see in a mirror dimly, but then I will see face to face.’’
22. The more we obey the more God reveals. If we are faithfully committed to obeying the little we understand, God will surely unveil more of His hidden truths to us in His time.
Note - Many of the above ideas were adapted from McQuilken’s Understanding and Applying the Bible, Eerdman’s, pp. 203-212.
Resolving Problem Passages
After you have integrated all of the principles of good hermeneutics to a passage, but still have difficulties interpreting the text what do you do? First of all you should look at the:
1. Commands of scripture - Does your interpretation align with the main commands of scripture?
2. Main doctrines of scripture - Does your interpretation agree with the basic doctrines of scripture?
3. Godly People in the Bible - Does your interpretation agree with the Godly people, their teaching, and their examples?
4. Universal Principles of Scripture - Does your interpretation agree with the principles such as whatever a man sows that will he also reap or love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and your neighbor as yourself?
5. Biblical precedents - Does your interpretation agree with the patterns, trends, and previous examples given throughout scripture?
6. Historical Examples - Does your interpretation agree with the lessons learned throughout history?
7. Godly Counsel - Does your interpretation agree with the teachings, writings, and examples given by Godly counselors? (Heb. 13:7)
8. Experience - Does your interpretation agree with the Godly experiences that you and others have had with the scripture?
9. Historical Principles - Does your interpretation agree with the lessons derived from historical incidents in scripture? For example, Gideon was willing to risk his life in chopping down the idols of Baal in his father’s house and God used him mightily.
10. Literature Search - As you search other commentaries, handbooks, and study Bibles etc. what do they say in reference to your own interpretation?
11. Systematic, Biblical, & Historical Theology - Does your interpretations align with the major positions of these three statements of theology?
12. No Contradictions in Scripture - Does your interpretation call for any contradiction in scripture, then it cannot be correct? Scripture is always unified, coherent, and has no contradictions at all.
13. Have you approached the scripture with prayer, faith,patience and obedience?
The more we obey the more God reveals, but we must meet His prerequisites for His Holy Spirit to give us illumination.
14. Are you careful to reject the false teachings, counterfeit teachers, and distorter of the truth?
Some people do not have the correct interpretation of scripture because they are not discerningly listening to the correct people. They are led astray by tribal, emotional, personal, or political sentiments.
15. Seek a balance in your interpretations
Some people over-exaggerate, underemphasize, or distort interpretations without balancing their views in the light of the whole counsel of God. Avoid this tendency by comparing and contrasting your views with the entire scripture.
16. Are you interpreting the O.T. IN LIGHT OF THE N.T.?
Many people incorrectly view God, His will, and our responsibilities because they are only looking at O.T. revelation. Interpret THE O.T. in light of the N.T. TEACHINGS!
17. Get your interpretation from God and not from men -
Many people have not learned how to really trust God for His promise in Psa. 119:110 which says, ``Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!’’
18. The best interpreter of the Bible is the scripture itself -
Scripture evaluates, interprets, and clarifies itself through cross-references, quotations, and integrating its principles throughout the whole Bible.
EXAMPLE OF A PROBLEM PASSAGE HEBREWS 6:1-12
CAN A CHRISTIAN LOSE HIS SALVATION?
1. The question - What does the author mean by the phrase, ``It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift... if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance?’’
Different Viewpoints
1. Some believe that this passage teaches that Christians can lose their salvation. They believe that the passage is speaking to Christians who renounce Christ and thereby put Him up for public crucifixion and lose their eternal salvation. They equivalize this sin with the unpardonable sin or the sin unto death which Jesus spoke about. Many Arminius theologians would support this viewpoint as would those who have a strong belief in African Traditional Religions. This view contradicts all the other passages in scripture which supports the eternal security of every true believer in Jesus Christ.
2. Some believe that the passage is referring to a warning given of the danger of a Christian moving from a position of true faith and life to the extent of becoming disqualified for further service. (I Cor. 9:27) These people refer to the apostate Christians who gave into the pressure of the Judaizers who wanted the Christians to subject themselves to the external Jewish rituals. They insist that the passage is referring to Christians who can be burned, chastised, and subjected to severe discipline for falling away. Even though they do not believe that a Christian can lose his salvation, they believe that Christians can be set on the shelf as useless for service. They teach that Christians who backslide to such a state of apostasy as crucifying the Son of God and subjecting Him to public disgrace are reaffirming the position of Christ’s enemies. They suggest that these believer’s hearts are hardened, calloused, and given over to evil and cannot be won back to Christian commitment. This is unlikely since God is a forgiving God ever ready to receive the sinner who repent with humility and a contrite heart. If this were the case God’s character would be seen a judgmental, harsh, and lacking compassion for the truly repentant seeking restoration.
3. Some teach that the writer is only using a hypothetical argument as if a Christian could lose his salvation. They believe that the writer is only dealing with supposition and not with fact, so that he may correct wrong ideas that existed with the Hebrew Christians of that day. In other words it was a possible predictions of how things would turn out if the Hebrew Christians continued to listen to their Judaizer colleague and conformed to their ways. This is unlikely since the writer did not use hypothetical arguments in his discourse.
4. The writer is referring to professing Christians, but not real born again Christians. He is warning those professing Christians that God may give them over to depraved mind as in Rom. 1:18-26. This is the preferred view!
A. It cannot mean that Christians lose their salvation. The writer is referring to only ``Professing Christians’’ not genuinely born again Christians. It is not referring to born again Christians since it only talks about those who have tasted of the Holy Spirit without receiving Him. The experiences mentioned in the passage fall short of a true saving faith. These nominal Christians can be likened to those who have fallen on the rocky ground or by the life Judas Iscariot. Many church goers are in this category. They enjoy the fruits of other Christians, the scriptures, and the fruits of the Christians’ good deeds, but are not truly born again!
B. These professing Christians have attended Christian fellowships, they may have experienced miracles, they may have enjoyed healing from God, and generally enjoyed the benefits of the ministry of Christians, the word of God, and the Holy Spirit, but without placing their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
C. The Christians referred to in this passage had only taken the initial steps toward becoming Christians. They were slipping back to the basic tenets such as repentance from their acts, instruction on baptism, and judgment etc. These nominal Christians had slipped back to where they had started in their quest.
D. The writer of Hebrews refers to the warning given in chapters 3-4 based on the rebellious Israelites who were forced to take 40 years to cross the desert before entering the promise land. Just as the Israelites were able to see the promises in Canaan across the Jordan they were not able to enter into the promised land. In like fashion, the Hebrews who professed faith, but were not genuine believers. They would also fail to enter heaven unless they genuinely repented, place their faith in Christ, and evidenced the fruits of their salvation. The professing Christians would eventually come to a point where their repentance would be ineffectual since they had hardened their own hearts against the glorious light of the gospel. The writer does not want these so-called Christians to have to wander about needlessly before they enter into the promise of God’s salvation in Christ. He does not want them aimlessly wandering in their lives.
E. Maturity in Heb 6:1 refers to the ones who have progressed in their spiritual life and have become Christians. These are believers who have exercised sound judgment, discernment, and have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Heb. 5:12-14)
F. The phrases such as ``enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit’’ mean that the recipients of the Hebrew letter had come under the influence of the God’s covenant blessings. They had made some kind of profession of faith, but had not genuinely been born again. They had never really been regenerated. Many Christians in our churches are also in such a dangerous predicament and need to be warned!
G. If you read the larger and the immediate context of the book of Hebrews you will see that the writer is referring again and again to these professing Christians. Note in Heb. 10:26-29 which says, ``If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?.. The Lord will judge his people.
H. The writer reinforces his warning to counterfeit Christians with a small parable in Heb. 6:7,8. The story teaches that unless nominal Christians bring forth Godly fruit they are probably not real Christians and in danger of being sent to hell.
I. The writer give concessions to the readers who are real Christians in Heb. 6:9. He says, ``We are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation.’’ Although he suggests that some of the readers may be counterfeit Christians he promises true born again Christians that they will reap a true reward in heaven. The evidences of salvation are seen in love, good works, and changed lives. Notice that these are only fruits and not the roots of salvation. Jesus Christ did all the work for our salvation. It is still true that it is by grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves, salvation is a gift of God not as a result of works that anyone should boast! (Eph. 2:8,9)
J. The writer encourages the true believers to persevere in their faith and not become lazy. In Hebrews 11 he further illustrates those who through true faith and perseverance demonstrated the fruits of their faith and were blessed of God.
K. The writer would not have used a hypothetical argument, but would have dealt with the realities of the Jewish Christians in that day. He addressed the letter to Jewish Christians who were tempted to turn back to Judaism or to somehow Judaize the gospel with all kinds of excess regulations. The writer is warning the readers not to conform to the pressures of the false sects around them and subscribe to their legalistic constraints. There can be no turning back to the old Jewish system since Christ superseded the law. ``Christ is the better way.’’
L. Once the Spirit of God takes up residence inside of a believer He will convict him of his wrong-doings and his sins of omission. It is incorrect to say that the passage simply gives a warning to the danger of a Christian moving from a position of true faith to the extent of becoming disqualified for further service and for inheriting millennial glory. This goes against the very character of God. He is always ready to receive the repentant, the contrite, the humble as the father accepted the prodigal son in Luke 15. If this interpretation were correct, many people who stumble, fall, or lapse into temporary unbelief would have been set on the shelf long ago. Simply consider Peter who denied Christ three times and yet was used magnificently throughout the rest of his life as the other apostles.
M . Repentance means a change of mind from sin to righteousness (metanoia). Man has the facility to change his mind in seeking God. God is not going to write Christians off as long as they have a free will to decide for good. God’s hand is not so short that he cannot save. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:8,9) To say that it is impossible, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance is to go against the whole theme of redemption, fellowship with God, the security of the believer, and the Father-son relationship as members of the body of Christ. The writer must have been referring here to professing Christians.
N. For the Jew keeping the rituals (Instruction of baptism, laying on of hands, dead works etc) meant, he kept the externals at the right time and would be a good man. However, the writer is insisting that this is not enough for salvation.
EXAMPLE OF A PROBLEM PASSAGE IN THE O.T.
Gen. 4:1-26
Question - What was the difference between Cain and Abel’s sacrifice? Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice, but reject Cain’s offering?
Different Viewpoints-
A. Some believe that God simply had chosen Abel over Cain in His predestined plan. They believe that God is sovereign and man is the clay. They believe that God can choose whoever he wants and reject those who he wants. These people teach that this is just the first of several instances in the Bible where God rejected the first born as in Jacob over Esau and Joseph over his brothers. This view is incorrectly understanding God’s predestination. Although God’s knows the end from the beginning His foreknowledge does not force men to sin. God gives every man a fair chance to decide for good or for evil. God is not unjust, partial, or discriminating toward people. If Cain would have offered a sacrifice acceptable to God in obedience to the regulations given to him by his parents and with a reverent heart, his offering would also have been acceptable and pleasing to God. Obedience is always better than sacrifice.
B. Some teach that Cain was misunderstood by God since he was living a well regulated life. He cultivated the fields and took care of his family. He was using honest labor to take care of his own people. He was not aware that he plant sacrifice was inferior to Abel’s animal sacrifice. This view is totally unsupported in the light of the fact that God is always just, fair, and reads mens’ hearts. Cain was looking at earthly blessing alone, not considering things above in the eternal perspective. Cain thought he could bribe God into accepting his sacrifice, but God would not be bribed. We must come to God on his terms and not on ours.
C. Some teach that Cain only offered the barren maize plants and his sacrifices were incomplete. They insist that Cain was trying to defraud God and keep the best of the harvest for himself. These legalists wrongly are looking only at the external aspects of the sacrifices not the internal attitudes of Cain’s heart. Cain’s offering was impure because his heart was impure. Abel’s sacrifice was not pleasing to God because of the smell of burning animal fat, but because God looked on the faith, reverence, and submission of his heart. These people would like to think that the bigger the better the sacrifice must be. However, consider how Jesus commended the widow who gave who Him two mites. Jesus said, ``This widow has given more than all the rest for she gave of all that she had!’’
D. Some teach that every people have their own sacrifices that should be acceptable to God. They insist that Cain was just presenting to God what he had. They insist that Cain’s sacrificed was that which would have been understood, in his area, as that which was good and acceptable.
These people are coming at scripture from an African Traditional Religious perspective where each tribe has a right to offer sacrifices to God in ways that they deem fit. This view is erroneous in the sense that God has set out His plan for correct sacrifices. In similar ways, God has ordained that the only acceptable sacrifice for the sins of men is in Christ. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Cain knew the correct way to sacrifice for his sins, but in his unrepentant, selfish, and stubborn manner he flippantly offered a disrespectful offering to God and was rejected. The instructions were given to his father Adam for the purpose of piety, the need for expiation and reconciliation to God, as well as to indicate their submission to God’s will. Abel’s sacrifice met these conditions, but Cain’s did not. Cain acted as a hypocrite as if he were paying a debt by some external sacrifice without the least indication that he was dedicating himself to God. Cain offered his sacrifice in unbelief. Those who worship God must worship Him in Spirit (To worship in the realm consistent with the nature of God as a Spirit as opposed to external sacrifices, fetishes, worthless objects, charms, or through ancestors) and in truth (IN JESUS WHO IS THE TRUTH OF GOD AND THROUGH HIS WORD-THE BIBLE). John 4:24
E. Abel offered his sacrifice in obedience, humility, respect, adoration, and in recognition of his need for forgiveness. Cain offered his sacrifice hypocritically, disrespectful, disobediently, irreverently, and without any recognition of his for forgiveness. This is the preferred view.
1. Cain brought some of the fruits, but Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The contrasting sacrifices are to show how Cain showed a careless, thoughtless, unbelieving, and irreverent offering. Abel, however, gave a generous, reverent, and submissive heart felt God honoring gift that reflected his faith.
2. Cain thought he could rely on his position as the firstborn-the works of the flesh. Abel believed that only offerings given to the Lord in faith would be acceptable.
3. Cain’s reactions of anger gave evidence that his offerings were not given in faith and with the right attitude.
4. Cain’s offering was one of the fruit of the ground in which God was recognized only as the Lord of nature. He merely acknowledged God for his dominion over the earth, but not himself. He did not refer to his sinfulness or of his need for divine mercy.
5. Abel’s sacrifice gave away fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Abel’s motivations were to give the best of life to the Lord as an acknowledgement of His Lordship over all of life. The animal sacrifices indicate his willingness to have blood spilled in symbolic gesture for pleading of divine mercy for the anticipation of the great sacrifice in Christ.
6. Abel sacrificed according to obedience, but Cain offered something frivolously. Abel followed the instructions of his parents regarding sacrifices, but Cain ignored their instructions.
7. Eating animals was not allowed as they were to be used for sacrifices. Abel obeyed and God accepted his sacrificial offering.
8. God will not bless offerings given in the flesh as Cain’s was. Abel’s offering was given with an attitude of homage, gratitude, obedience, and humility. He acknowledged that he needed a mediator for his sins, Cain did not.
9. The lamb offered by Abel was a prefigure of Christ’s sacrifice for sin. God gave witness that Abel was righteous, as God looks on the heart whereas man looks at the outward appearances as did Cain.
10. Abel’s sacrifice also teaches us that we may have to suffer for our faith. Others may persecute us, misunderstand us, and reject us.
11. Cain suffered from the sin of envy, jealousy, deceit, and anger against his brother Abel. His very soul despised God. He became a murderer and a slave of Satan. We see many examples of this same kind of sin today.
12. God threw the responsibility for overcoming sin on Cain’s shoulders in verse 7, but it was still in vain. The demon of hate still kept possession until he killed his brother. Abel was the first to enter in the glory of eternal life.
13. Cain responded in anger at God’s question, ``Where is Abel your brother? ``Am I my brother’s keeper?’’ Then God said, ``Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, you will be a restless wanderer on the earth.’’ (Gen 4:10-12) This was further proof of Cain’s evil heart and that he had submitted to Satan’s will.
HOW TO INTERPRET DOCTRINE
Why are some Christians excited about their faith at sometimes, but depressed at other times? Why are many Christians confused about the will of God for their lives? Why are many people so easily led astray when some new preacher espouses a new teaching? Why are many people subject to crowd motivations rather than real Biblical motivations? Why do so many people rationalize their actions rather than consistently following the scriptures? Much of the reasons stem from the fact that people do not thoroughly understand the major doctrines of the Bible! Let us see how to correctly learn, teach, and interpret the main doctrinal teachings of the scripture.
If someone takes the doctrines of the Bible out of their historical cultural context they open the door for many problems in interpretation:
1. Its easy to subjectively look at the doctrines of the Bible in light of your culture.
2. Its tempting to use rationalism to reason the doctrines to fit your own scheme of thinking. The problem is that rationalism allows the human mind to be the final judge of what is true.
3. Its common to find that people will come up with their own doctrines that suit their perspectives.
4. Its easy to distort, twist, or overemphasize certain favorite aspects of Biblical doctrines.
5. Its popular to use certain doctrines at convenient times for your style of leadership.
6. Its easy to preach certain doctrines that are popular with your people and leave the difficult ones untouched.
7. Its in vogue to leave certain doctrines unresearched in light of certain contemporary problems.
8. The untrained theologian may have difficulties understanding all of the doctrines and their full range of meanings.
9. Certain schools like to teach doctrines that favor their denominational preferences. They intentionally do not expose their students to the more controversial aspects of some doctrines.
10. By limiting your reading to certain books you can selectively avoid certain points of view to some doctrines.
11. Some preachers, teachers, and laymen prefer to carve out their doctrinal interpretations in the way they think God should work not in ways that He portrays Himself in the scripture. Or they may prefer to emphasize certain attributes of God at the expense of other characteristics.
12. Peter was rebuked by Jesus when he tried to insist that Jesus should not succumb to death by crucifixion. Jesus scorned Peter’s misinterpretation of His words, ``Get behind me Satan, for you are not setting your eyes on God, but men!’’ Its easy to look to other books, articles, and textbooks that teach doctrines rather than doing our own doctrinal investigations into the scriptures.
