Like so many others I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of conflict in the church is caused by poor application of scripture due to the inability to read scripture in it’s proper context causing poor theology to reign supreme.
There are several types of context, one of them is cultural. There are many examples of cultural context I can cite but I really want to keep this as simple as possible.
I once heard a very popular preacher declare that Jesus and the Apostles had to be rich since some of them owned boats, one was a Taxman and another was an accountant. Why would they need a taxman and an accountant if they weren’t rich. The poor man has no concept of cultural context. Matthew was a tax collector. They didn’t have an IRS code back in the first century nor did they have accountants as we know them today. Fishermen built their own boats and maintained them in order to eek out a living. They were anything but luxury items and the profession was looked down upon by the masses. It was a difficult way to make a meager living.
The man is guilty of using anachronisms to prove his point and by doing so turning scripture on it’s head. After making this absurd statement he also had the audacity to say, “It’s amazing what you can find in the bible if you know what to look for “. This was one of the most egregiously erroneous sermons I have ever heard.
Never read anything into scripture that isn’t there. One should also be mindful to use the Bible to clarify itself. If a statement by a teacher doesn’t sound correct, double check it for yourself. Remember when studying a verse determine its meaning by looking at it’s usage within the paragraph or passage, then within the chapter, then within the book and finally within the entire Bible. You must use the whole council of GOD. If you have a conflict anywhere, you have an error since the Bible never contradicts itself.
Next week I will cover some other things to look and listen for when studying the Word or listening to sermons.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep, in Jesus name I pray.
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