Wright Track Ministries

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Olive Branch, MS 38654

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WTVU Bible Lesson 4

Section 3

Lesson Objectives:

To examine a classic example of scriptures that are not properly interpreted, and to investigate the misinterpretation and how to discover the problem.

Will Everyone be Saved ???

(Or a look at how a liberal universalist misinterpreted the Bible)

I was reading an article a few months ago and the author pointed me to his website in this article. He was defending several types of immoral life styles and was teaching people that everyone was going to heaven and that all religions were of equal value. As I read through his arguments and looked at the comments in his guest book, it became apparent to me that this man nor the people who signed his guest book had probably never read the Bible or even the Gospels. 

The following is an approximation of the erroneous teaching of this misguided individual:

The following scriptures were presented:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The following points were made:

1. The Bible says God loved the world, that means everybody. It does not say Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, White, Black, Straight, or Gay. It says the world. That is all of us!

2. We all have everlasting life. That is what John 3:16 is telling us that the world has everlasting life.

3. Jesus came to save the world. We are forbidden to condemn. Jesus did not condemn and we can't either. There are too many churches killing people's self esteem and attacking them because of an outdated notion and misunderstanding of sin. That is all Old Testament and mostly fables. Everybody is OK. 

4. The only command Jesus gave in the New Testament was to love each other.

5. Paul tells us to find our own religion and work out our own salvation.

(These were the 5 major points of this man's teaching. He used these nine scriptures to back it all up)

The following types comments were made in his guest book:

1. You are right Jesus only talked about love. He never talked about hate and punishment!

2. I always did believe that basically all religions were right. It wouldn't seem fair if only one way was right. I do not see where people come up with that non-sense! It is amazing that there are still people like that in the 21st century.

3. God does not condemn he saves. No one should be judged because of their beliefs or personal values.

4. The Bible is a good book of stories that we can learn great moral lessons from. Taking it too literally can cause problems. I can believe that those who made up these stories thought that they were the only ones who had the truth about God. I like the way you use an easy approach with the Bible. 

(There were several comments in his guest book. Only two people should any knowledge of the Bible. The other 100 showed a profound ignorance of God's word.)

So where do we start? He used nine scriptures to draw 5 very erroneous conclusions. From this he was leading people astray and lying about the truth of God's word and speaking badly about evangelicals and conservative Christianity as a whole.

First, look at the list of rules for interpreting the Bible that you found in section 1. What rules did this person violate? Rules1 and 3 to start with. Rule # 1 deals with the overall purpose of the Bible and taking into account all other scriptures that relate to the subject that is being discussed. Rule # 3 deals with the immediate context of the scriptures. Rule # 1 is the rule that is most violently broken here. Let's examine this:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The first thing that you may have noticed is that the liberal here seems to be ignoring the words "believeth in him" He seems to be totally ignoring this in his interpretation and is basing all five of his points on these words "not being there" or "not meaning anything." The fact remains that they are there and they do make a big difference in the meaning of the verse! Beware of these type of interpreters that conveniently skip a few words here and there. It makes a huge difference. It makes a difference. like between eternity in heaven or hell.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Here I  can agree that God did into send Jesus into the world not to condemn it but, that through his work on the cross we might be saved. This is what the Bible clearly teaches. Look at the two words that liberal interpretation is ignoring in this passage. The words "THROUGH HIM" do not comfortably fit into their every religion is OK theology. The world can be saved through Him. Many of this mindset insist that Jesus did not ever condemn any one or put limitations on who would go to heaven. 

Let's look at the words of Jesus in Luke 13:22-30.

Luke 13

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Let's look at the words of Jesus in Matthew: 7:13.

Matthew 7

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Let's look at the words of Jesus in Mark 16:16.

Mark 16

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Let's take in to the discussion the following statements of Jesus'.

John 10

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

John 12

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 14

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Let's look at one of their passage selections and add the next verse to it.

John 8

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

"Go and sin no more" This statement does two things for us. It is Jesus' acceptance of the reality of sin and it is His expectation that sin should be abandoned! The next verse again, does not fit in with the universalist's view of salvation. It makes Jesus the only way. Combined with the last statement of forsaking sin, this a bitter pill for a liberal to swallow.

This deals with the first three points of this man's teaching. Let's look at the final two in the light of the whole counsel of God's word.

Jesus only gave one command and that was to love. While Jesus did say to love, he also said several other things that carry equal weight in importance.

All religions are the same, we are to work out our own salvation. Is that the Bible really says? I will let the words of Jesus answer that.

Matthew 28

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These three verses are devastating to this liberal line of thought. 

Verse 18 establishes the fact that there are not many gods and manifestations, but that there is ONE who is in control and who has total authority. 

Verse 19 deals with the "only one command" crowd and gives us our marching orders for witnessing, challenging false doctrines, missions, preaching and many other activities found in the conservative Christian church. 

Verse 20 deals with the fifth point that the misinterpretation of Philippians 2:12 presented. The idea that we are to figure out our own way to heaven so, all religions are OK. (If you read the context of this verse you will see that Paul is encouraging and commending the Philippians to keep on working because of what their salvation meant to them as individuals. He also tells them that this is God working through them. Everyone was responsible to God for his own actions and gifts.) Verse 20 tells that Jesus commands that all his teachings were to be taught and to be obeyed. This negates the "I can find my own path because all religions lead to God." Verse 19 says that this was to be applicable to the whole world. "teach all nations..."  Verse 20 sets the time limit on this command, we are only to do this until the end of the world!

As we have seen, there is not only an immediate context like we have examined in the last lesson but there is a context of an entire topic. In other words, if God speaks 20 times on a subject in the Bible, we need to look at all 20 times before we start making dogmatic statements about what the Bible says on that subject. It is easy to take a few scriptures form here and there and to contort them into saying just about anything. It is absolutely essential to examine the whole counsel of God into consideration when handling God's Word. This is where a Topical Bible is especially helpful.

Today, there are so many people using the Bible to support so many views that are wrong. It is up to us who are teachers of the word of God to be able to impart the truth of the Word of God and to help others grow so that they are not so easily confused by such false teaching.

Assignment

Memorize the Five Rules of Interpretation as given by Dr. J. Vernon McGee. ( I know that this was assigned already, for those who did not do it, this is your chance to catch up! ) The next time you hear something that doesn't seem like it sounds just right, submit it to the test of these 5 principals. 

Here is a statement to practice on. 

Teaching: "Every sickness, problem, or disease that happens to you is directly caused by a sin that is in your life."

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:20a The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Hint: Book of Job, John 9:1-5.

JER for NMW3  11-11-2000