As we begin a study of Bible prophecy, it is essential that we take an approach that rejects unproven speculation. The Bible is the only ruler for measuring truth, and we must be skeptical about everything else (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 15:7-9).
Furthermore, the Bible is not a piece of abstract art, where everyone's opinion about its meaning is valid. Difficult passages must be understood by those that are clear and simple (2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14).
A classic example of imposing an interpretation on a passage of Scripture is how St. Augustine of Hippo "proved" from Ezekiel 44:1-4 that the Virgin Mary remained a virgin after giving birth to the Lord Jesus:
"It is written (Ezekiel 44, 2): 'This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall pass through it. Because the Lord the God of Israel hath entered in by it…' What means this closed gate in the house of the Lord, except that Mary is to be ever inviolate? What does it mean that 'no man shall pass through it,' save that Joseph shall not know her? . . . And what means this – 'It shall be shut for evermore,' but that Mary is a Virgin before His birth, a Virgin in His birth, and a Virgin after His birth."
We must adopt a skeptical approach to such statements by asking, "What does this passage actually teach?" Indeed, the "Fathers'" statements are contradicted by Matthew's affirmation regarding Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:24-25; 12:46-50).
Another example of someone imposing their ideas onto a text is found in the interpretations of Seventh Day Adventist "prophetess," Ellen G. White who declared that the Mark of the Beast is worship on Sunday.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
After serving Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bob was honorably retired on Sunday, September 27, 2015, and given the title "Pastor Emeritus." This was forty years to the day after he became their pastor.
He now works for the Presbytery of the Gulf South as...
sermonaudio.com | iphone | android | mobile | podcast | transcript | kindle | tablets | gospel of john © 2024 SermonAudio.com. All rights reserved. Site Design: Animotion Studios