Ridgell's Originals

I grew up in churches of Christ.  One of the great blessings of that heritage is a deep and passionate commitment to Scripture.  To this day I am thankful for Bible class teachers, preachers, memory verses, Bible reading, and all the other disciplines that led me to Scripture.

But there is a dangerous tendency among some churches today.

They sometimes insist the Bible does not mean what it says.

Not just interpretations drawn from a study of principles found in Scripture.  I am talking about making your conclusions have more weight than what the Bible actually says.

One example is the discussion about male authority.  Not about what functions in the church are authoritative and can be performed by either sex.  Or debating what might constitute authority.  But that it is wrong to believe in or practice male authority. 

And the problem is that the Bible says the husband is the head of the wife.  Elders are married men.  The twelve apostles were men. 

I agree the principle of male authority has been abused.  And we have made it apply to things that are not matters of authority.  But Scripture is clear.  It speaks of male authority.  So to advocate for equal authority is to say the Bible does not mean what it says. 

Lately I hear this same argument about marriage.  That God will sanction, for example, a marriage between people of the same sex.  Except the Bible says differently.  So you have to maintain the Bible does not mean what it says. 

You may want to argue that these are positions for then and there, not here and now.  You may want to say that I am misinterpreting what God meant.  But do not tell me the Bible does not say what it plainly says.  Don't tell me we just read Scripture differently.  Of course we read it the same.  The question is does it mean what it says.

It bothers me when people attempt to say God did not mean what he said.  It is as if he needs a modern day editor to explain why what he said is not correct.

And this view leads to problems.

Churches split over this.  When you insist that God's Word does not mean what it says and I am wrong to believe it, we are not going to be able to continue in fellowship.  So you better be sure God really does not mean what He said before you divide the body.

You can begin to interpret Scripture in ways that fit our beliefs and feelings. So feelings, culture, and our experience become the determining factor as to whether we believe it really means what it says.   And anyone that does not agree with us is narrow and wrong.  It becomes hard not to be arrogant about our beliefs and to look down on those who disagree.

It is hard to study the Scriptures with someone when we have to explain that this verse means what it says but this one does not.

And young people growing up in this environment sometimes decide to leave it.  They want real authenticity concerning Bible study.  At some point you realize your church really doesn't stand for much anymore.  You want to know their is a solid footing for your faith. 

Let me be clear.  This does not describe everyone that holds some of the positions I mention.  I know people that hold to these positions that are loving, committed, and passionate about following Jesus. 

But there is a real danger in deciding that we know God did not mean what He said.  That we can absolutely and without a doubt explain that what you read is not what God really meant.  Your interpretation is not the same as truth.

Be careful.  I try hard to remember that the Holy Spirit knew exactly what he was doing when he inspired Scripture. I am not sure he needs me to correct it for him.