"Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth"
2 Timothy 2:15
Introduction
I. Acts 8:30-31 expresses the importance of correctly interpreting the Scriptures.
A. Sadly, many time 2 Peter 1:20-21 has been incorrectly used.
(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. {21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
II. That is where Hermeneutics comes into play.
A. Hermes (of Greek mythology) was believed to be the god who brought messages from the gods to mortals, and the god of speech, writing, and art.
B. Hermeneutics - The science and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text.
C. Hermeneutics is the method of interpreting & applying Scripture.
1. It is the systematic, logical procedure used to discover the meaning of the Bible.
III. We must "rightly divide the word of truth" to ascertain biblical authority.
(John 12:48 NKJV) "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
(1 Cor 14:37 NKJV) If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
(2 Pet 3:15-16 NKJV) and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, {16} as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
(2 Tim 3:16-17 NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Discussion
I. "SACRED HERMENEUTICS"
A. There are several ways in which biblical authority can be determined.
1. The Bible authorizes by PRECEPTS / DIRECT COMMANDS.
(Psa 119:4 NKJV) You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.
(Psa 119:73 NKJV) Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
(Eccl 12:13; Acts 2:38).
a. These are Explicit Statements (Eph 5:19).
2. The Bible authorizes by NECESSARY INFERENCES / IMPLICATIONS.
(Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30)
(Acts 18:8 NKJV) Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
a. These are Implicit Statements.
b. Necessary implications carry the same force as direct commands.
c. We must make sure the implication is necessary.
(Acts 16:33 NKJV) {Philippian Jailer} And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
3. The Bible authorizes by APPROVED / APOSTOLIC EXAMPLES.
(1 Cor 11:24-25 NKJV) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." {25} In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
(Acts 20:6-7 NKJV) But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. {7} Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
4. The Bible authorizes by EXPEDIENCIES.
a. "Expediency relates to the realm of human judgment in connection with Xian obligations. In expediency, there is the inherent notion of ADVANTAGE. That is, an expedient is something which EXPEDITES. There can be no expediency where there is no obligation, and there can be no expediency where there is no advantage." (Roy Deaver, The Problem of Instrumental Music In Christian Worship).
b. "For anything to be expedient according to Bible teaching, it must (1) give ADVANTAGE in doing what God would have man to do, and (2) be AUTHORIZED by His word." (Thomas B. Warren, The Spiritual Sword, V. 10, N. 1).
(1) There are Specifics & Generalities.
(a) Mk 16:15; Heb 10:25; Eph 5:19.
(2) There are Divine Traditions & Human Traditions.
(a) Divine Traditions = Expressions of God's will.
(1 Cor 11:2 NKJV) Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
(2 Th 2:15 NKJV) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
(2 Th 3:6 NKJV) But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
(b) Human Traditions (good - expiditing God's will // bad - violating God's will).
(Mat 15:1-9 NKJV)
(Rom 16:16 NKJV) Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
II. "NEW HERMENEUTICS"
A. The Bible is not a book of laws but is rather a love letter.
(1 Cor 9:21 KJV) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
(James 1:25 NKJV) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
1. Grace and law are not mutually exclusive; rather their complementary (Eph 2:8-9).
B. The law of exclusion or the law of silence is to be repudiated.
1. The silence of the Scriptures is not "permissive;" it is "prohibitive."
(Col 3:17 NKJV) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
(Heb 7:14 NKJV) For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
C. We are told that "we should not look to the Bible for "patterns."
1. No pattern of salvation; No pattern of worship (ASV - Psa 119:160).
2. God has always given man a blueprint.
(Exo 25:9 NKJV) "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
(2 Tim 1:13 NKJV) Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
(Rom 6:17 NKJV) But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
a. Thomas Campbell, The Declaration & Address "The original pattern laid down in the N.T.; the divine Word is our standard; making a rule of it & it alone; what is expressly revealed & enjoined in the Holy Scripture."
D. "New Hermeneutics" is disguised existentialism (what you feel).
1. But the Bible warns against this approach to the Bible.
(Judg 17:6 NKJV) In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
(1 Cor 4:6 NKJV) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
III. "UTILITARIAN HERMENEUTICS"
A. Utilitarianism is basically "What works?"
1. If it works, it's right? // If it doesn't work, it's wrong?
B. There is "utilitarian" morality in the world.
1. This has influenced the Christendom.
a. Homosexuality; Divorce; Gambling; Abortion; Drinking.
2. This is a "new morality" with no absolutes.
a. But Jesus said: John 8:32; 12:48; 14:6; 17:17.
3. It not a new problem.
(Isa 5:20 NKJV) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
C. Utilitarianism is working its way into the church is different forms.
1. Instrumental music in worship (Eph 5:19).
2. Choruses in worship.
3. Dramatic plays as a part of worship.
4. Children's church.
5. Women leaders.
D. Utilitarianism demands "tolerance."
1. Tolerance to a utilitarian doesn't mean permitting each person the right to believe (or disbelieve) according to his or her own conscience.
2. It means having to accept all values, truths, & beliefs (no matter how spiritually or morally bankrupt) as equally valid.
IV. "NARRATIVE HERMENEUTICS"
A. Some are saying that the use of "story-telling" is a life-changing way of understanding authoritative texts.
1. "Narrative hermeneutics" is terribly dependent upon inference.
B. Some are saying we need to get away from this "book, chapter, & verse" way of preaching.
C. "Narrative hermeneutics" is very close to relativism.
1. Believe what you want; what seems real to you.
a. Baptism; Lord's Supper; One God (He God or She God).
V. THE "NEW HERMENEUTICS" & THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT ARE CLOSELY RELATED.
A. The New Age Movement basically says: "We are God."
1. What I determine is right is right.
B. The New Age Movement is replacing Secular Humanism.
1. Secular Humanism says: "There is no God."
2. The New Age Movement says: "We are God."
Conclusion
I. "Sacred Hermeneutics" is our friend.
A. We need to know how to rightly divide the Word of Truth.
B. We need to help our friends to see the truth.
II. I believe most of the proponents discussed are sincere.
A. But they are sincerely wrong.
B. Jesus said: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
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