Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

referred to the Greek of John 1.1, which they argued was missing the definite article of the Greek, making most of the renderings in our modern English translations false. Frustrated and flustered, the member has asked the pastor for an introductory class on Greek, so he can defend his beliefs about Jesus with greater confidence and better evidence. What is the answer to answering the claims of groups like these Witnesses, who argue that most Christian belief is not rooted in knowledge, but superstition, tradition, and false knowledge about the Bible? Should we endeavor to help all believers gain a better knowledge of the language of the Bible, or focus more on issues of growth and spiritual maturity? What role should use of language and theological tools play in equipping our members with the ability to rightly divide and nobly defend the Word of truth as it is in Scripture? Many of us have been the victim of a conversation with a person who is out to correct us in all that we have come to believe. Upon asking us whether or not we have ever heard of the renown biblical scholar, “Dr. X,” they begin to tell us with great intensity and energy how they have been changed by his “new revelation” into the Word of God. Whatever the subject matter “Dr. X” had mastered and spoke about, it now represents to our friend the definitive word on the subject. Just the fact that we have never heard of Dr. X and his life-changing teaching on this subject suggests a kind of isolation and ignorance on your part to the latest and best teaching of the Lord on this theme. After hearing for some time the ideas of Dr. X, you politely end the conversation as friendly as possible. Upon further reflection, it occurs to you that one of the problems with the expansion of knowledge is the very real possibility that new heresies, sects, and oddball emphases are rapidly growing as well. With so many now claiming God’s own leading and blessing, thousands of teachers and preachers all carrying official titles such as “Elder So and So” and “Bishop Such and Such” preach their new revelations in churches and across the airwaves. The vast majority of many of these new teachers are utterly independent, not subject to any kind of spiritual authority or association that might protect them from themselves or from error. How do we remedy this current state of affairs, with so many claiming their own independent Word from the Lord, all being their own resources for spiritual authority and teaching? A Little Knowledge Is Worse than None?

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