ESTABLISHING SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
ESTABLISHING SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY
INTRODUCTION
In talking about establishing authority for our practices in service to God, we are talking about how to apply the scriptures in the appropriate way. It is really a discussion of how to determine from the complex variety of writings in the Bible the things that God would be pleased for us to do. How can we determine from the poetry, drama, history, wisdom, and prophecy the things that will please God in our lives? Can we understand the will of God for us? How can we determine that will appropriately? In some circles of fellowship between people, even in some churches, there is the idea that no hermeneutical principle is valid. There is a growing desire to cast away the old idea that scriptural authority is necessary or that it can be derived from commands, statements, and examples. The appeal some preachers are making for a "new hermeneutic" ends in never-never-land. It is easy to criticize an old way of interpretation by remaining vague and uncommitted as to the right way of interpretation. There is a sense of safety in vagueness because one never has to defend anything and never has to say "this is right and that is wrong". This vagueness allows one to rub elbows with any and all churches because it doesn't feel a need to stand for "truth" on anything since no one can really be sure they know the truth on anything.
Hermeneutics is the "science of interpreting the Bible (or any piece of literature). The word comes from a Greek word, "hermeneuo" which means to interpret or to explain"... (Holman Bible Dictionary, p.179, 180) The way of law, even the law of the land is to look at the legal documents pertaining to the issue, gathering from the statements, commands, and even examples (case studies where previous decisions of law seem pertinent), and drawing the necessary inferences that these sources provide. Jesus and the early apostles seemed to have used these very things in their applications of divine law. How shall we establish scriptural authority today?
I. DETERMINE THE PERIMETERS OF THE "PATTERN" ON THE SUBJECT.
A. TWO WAYS OR SOURCES FROM WHICH TO ESTABLISH THE PATTERN:
1. Commands or direct statements that have a bearing.
2. Approved examples that have a bearing.
B. THE PATTERN IS DETERMINED BY ALL THAT IS NECESSARILY INFERRED FROM YOUR SOURCES.
1. For example: What does the Bible say about baptism? All the pertinent information on that topic creates the pattern to be followed today. The two sources of information lead to necessary conclusions to be drawn. The totality of that information represents the pattern of sound words on that topic.
2. The same would be true on the Lord's supper, church organization, cooperation of churches, the work of the church, worship, music, morals, church discipline, marriage, divorce, the family, etc.
II. DETERMINE IF THE PATTERN GIVES GENERAL AUTHORITY OR LIMITS BY SPECIFICATIONS.
A. VIOLATORS OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY
1. Nadab and Abihu. Lev.10
2. David, the ark on a cart. 2 Sam.6
3. Saul, sparing King Agag and the best sheep. 1 Sam.15
4. These serve as warnings that we should not do the same kind of things they did. Rom.15:1-4; 1 Cor.10
B. ILLUSTRATIONS OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY:
1. Ark of "Gopher" wood. Gen.6
2. The animal and meal offerings. Lev.1-3
3. Unleavened bread, fruit of the vine. Matt.26
4. Buried in baptism. Rom.6; Col.2:12
5. Sing, make melody in heart. Eph.5:19
C. ILLUSTRATIONS OF GENERAL AUTHORITY:
1. Abraham - "get out of your country"(Gen.12:1). Walk, ride a horse, ride a camel, ride a wagon. He has general authority to go however he sees fit.
2. Noah - "make yourself an ark" (Gen.6:14). Use an ax, a hammer, a saw, rope, chisels, etc. He has general authority to use whatever tools he sees fit.
3. Assemble: find a suitable place and time, rent a place, buy a place. Whatever it takes to assemble with the saints. Heb.10:25
4. Sing: learn a song from memory and pass it along, acquire some songs from a song writer, purchase a collection of songs in a book. Whatever it takes to sing is authorized.
5. Teach: designate teachers, times to assemble, learn and teach, acquire teaching tools (blackboards, whiteboards, overhead projectors, etc.). Whatever it takes to teach is authorized unless the pattern restricts by specification.
D. DETERMINE WHAT IS AUTHORIZED AND WHAT IS EXPEDIENT IN CARRYING OUT THE WILL OF GOD AS EXPRESSED IN THE PATTERN.
III. ARE ALL COMMANDS AND EXAMPLES RELEVANT TOWARD DETERMINING A PATTERN?
A. Common sense helps one determine that "INCIDENTALS" are irrelevant to a pattern.
1. We find an example of learning God's will while riding in a chariot (Acts 8). Do we have to ride in a chariot to learn the truth? Was that only incidental, unnecessary to the chief purpose of the story?
B. DOES IT LEGISLATE A NEW PRACTICE OR REGULATE A CULTURAL CUSTOM?
1. Footwashing was cultural custom regulated by divine law but not LEGISLATED regardless of culture.
2. Kissing as a form of greeting.
C. IS IT LIMITED FROM THE PATTERN BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF A TEMPORARY SYSTEM?
1. Rules about spiritual gifts. 1 Cor.12-14 2. Pray "Thy kingdom come".
D. IS IT LIMITED BECAUSE IT WAS A PERSONAL ADDRESS, NOT A GENERAL ONE?
1. "Bring the books and the parchments" (2 Tim.4:13)
2. "Greet Priscilla and Aquila"- Rom.16:13
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