Should we interpret the Bible in terms of our culture? Do God’s Words mean something different today than when they were written? We must look to the Word of God itself for the answers. What does God’s Word reveal?
Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (emphasis mine)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine)
There may be verses that we want to interpret in a way that is more acceptable to our culture, but my advice is to put those verses on the list, Verses I Don’t Understand Yet, because God says,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
In his article on Postmodernism Christian Movements, Bruce Cooper describes Progressive Christianity as: “a contemporary Christian movement that seeks to reinterpret traditional Christian beliefs and practices in light of modern perspectives and societal changes.”
But God says, “I the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6
To twist the meaning of Scripture to suit ourselves will only dull our Sword and contribute to our own demise! In effect, we shoot ourselves in the foot!
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8
If we don’t prepare ourselves by reading the Word daily, we will be like a soldier going into battle who doesn’t know the intelligence report or the battle plans! Jesus explained it this way:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-27 (emphasis mine)
Notice that in verse 24, Jesus said, “Therefore”. That means that the “house built on sand” analogy does not stand alone, but is referring to the preceding verses, which say,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23
Pause and reflect on that for a moment!
We live in a time of great deception. Our culture believes in things that shock the senses! It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak the truth because we don’t want to be called a hater or be hated. Jesus said,
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18-20 NIV
During our current times and in light of current events, those verses take on greater meaning than ever before in our lifetime.
It is remarkable that the Bible, written 2,000 years ago, is so pertinent to the world today and all its problems!
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
In His Love, Cindy
Before you go, please see my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
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