Can we all see the Bible alike?
People say “Why should we believe what those churches are trying to tell us? After all, they can’t get along among themselves. They argue about this and they disagree about that. They meet in different buildings right across the street from each other, and they go on about their business like the two don’t even exist.”
The Bible is the focal point of our division. We can’t seem to even agree about what this book is. Then we have a hard time agreeing about what it says. Why is that? Is there anything we can do about it? Can’t we all see the Bible alike, can’t we all interpret Scripture the same?
“If we are ever going to agree about what the Bible says, we must first agree about what the Bible is.” That is step #1.
The Bible tells us what it is; it makes some claims and the clearest one is the one you heard a moment ago in our scripture reading from 2 Timothy 3:16.
2 Tim. 3:16, 17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Pet. 1:20, 21
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
People say “Why should we believe what those churches are trying to tell us? After all, they can’t get along among themselves. They argue about this and they disagree about that. They meet in different buildings right across the street from each other, and they go on about their business like the two don’t even exist.”
The Bible is the focal point of our division. We can’t seem to even agree about what this book is. Then we have a hard time agreeing about what it says. Why is that? Is there anything we can do about it? Can’t we all see the Bible alike, can’t we all interpret Scripture the same?
“If we are ever going to agree about what the Bible says, we must first agree about what the Bible is.” That is step #1.
The Bible tells us what it is; it makes some claims and the clearest one is the one you heard a moment ago in our scripture reading from 2 Timothy 3:16.
2 Tim. 3:16, 17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Pet. 1:20, 21
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.