Discover From the Bible
01. The Bible
2 – What Do We Rely Upon?
What do we rely upon as our source of authority for belief?
Different churches vary . . . (read more)
Different churches vary in their emphasis upon:
- The Bible;
- The “Church” as a visible and human organisation;
- Human reason.
I have seen a mixture of these sources in most churches, but you will generally find that:
- Protestant Evangelical churches focus on the Bible, as an unchanging source for people everywhere;
- Catholic and Orthodox churches place more emphasis on the visible “Church” organisations, and their traditions;
- “Liberal” churches place a greater emphasis on human reason.
My personal experience leads me to rely on the Bible – not as a legal or scientific thesis, nor as poetry or drama; but as a way of being drawn closer to God, and being given ever new understanding as I read it. In that sense it is a living book.
I find it important to share in worship and fellowship with other believers, but I have also found all visible human organisations are flawed in some way. The media have enough material to use in their attack upon visible church organisations.
And while we rely on human reason for so much, it is very flawed as a source of guidance. You may find the “Liberal” churches to be subject to the latest social fads and causes, and most illiberal in their application of them. Human logic alone can lead us to some illogical places, and the Age of Reason ended in the Age of the Guillotine!
Let us explore what the Bible says.
2. More Questions
What do we rely upon as our source of authority for belief?
Human Reason
What does the bible say?
Colossians 2:8
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge
Job 38:1, 4-11
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
1.
What do the above verses say about relying on human logic and reason as the ultimate source of guidance in life?
2.
How do we reconcile these verses with what we see in the world around us, where human intellect is valued above all else, and we are constantly encouraged to be self-reliant, to “do it our way”?
3.
(a) What does the Bible say?
(b) What do you think?
4.
The basis for modern Existentialist philosophy can be found in the statement by seventeenth-century French philosopher René Descartes, who said, “I think; therefore I am.”
Given that “I am” is the name God claims for himself (Exodus 3:14), was this a claim by Descartes for humanity to supplant God?
Has it been used in the modern world in that way?
What do you think?
Human Organisations
What does the bible say about relying on human organisations and tradition?
1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
2 Timothy 2:20
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.
Psalm 146:3
Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
1 Timothy 5:19-20
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rst also may fear.
Mark 7:9
He said to them, “All to well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.
5.
What do you learn from the above verses about relying on human, visible organisations and traditions as the ultimate source of guidance in life?
6.
(a) What does the Bible say?
(b) What do you think?
The Creeds and Doctrines
How are we to regard the creeds and doctrines that were developed to summarize and simplify what the Bible says?
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Psalm 146:3
Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
1 Timothy 5:19-20
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rst also may fear.
Mark 7:9
He said to them, “All to well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.
7.
What do you learn from the these verses about relying on creeds and doctrines as the source of authority for belief?
(a) What does the Bible say?
(b) What do you think?
8.
But under the “Belief” page in this website, there is a section on the creeds and other doctrines. Is this misleading? Should they be used in that way?
Christian Literature and Websites
How should we regard non-biblical literature, and material on the internet?
1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
2 Timothy 2:20
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.
Psalm 146:3
Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
1 Timothy 5:19-20
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rst also may fear.
Mark 7:9
He said to them, “All to well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.
9.
During sermons in church, you may sometimes hear quotes from Polycarp and other leaders of the early church. What weight is to be given to their writings?
10.
Is it a positive outcome when people rely on the proliferation of Christian literature, instead on the non-Christian media which has many underlying assumptions and subliminal messages? All churches seem to turn to it; when I walked into the local Evangelical bookshop, I had a hard time finding the bibles amongst the mass of other books. And those books may make a good income for their authors!
11.
Is there a risk of people becoming too inward-looking when there is so much Christian literature to be read? Can it distract us from our focus on the Bible?
Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “
What Next?
Next in Basic Questions
Even more on The Bible
0 Comments