The Word of Truth Ministries

 

 

In the world of religion, academia, philosophy, law, theology, and any area of critical thought where reasonable people may reasonably differ in opinions, frequent discourse and debate is the way of the world. But a strange tradition has taken root in many of our fundamentalist churches, as it has already taken over many Evangelical churches. 

The tradition that has taken root in many churches is this: Congregants are discouraged from or cannot question their minister, pastor, or evangelist in his pronouncements of and on the word of God. What he/she says is to be accepted, although other scriptures may tend to raise conflicting issues, and even though the word of God clearly admonishes us to question the speaker and/or teacher concerning the truth of his pronouncement. 

This repressive behavior, although clearly defying the principles and teachings of God's word, is an ethos that has positioned itself into church convention as a norm. Yet as far back as Old Testament teaching of God's word, we see a rich tradition of inquirers concerning the teaching of God's word by men. In Isaiah 1:18, we see that God cries out, come let us reason together. Let us talk and consider the word of God. Let us debate and council among ourselves about its meaning. This has been a lively tradition throughout Judaism and early Christianity. Notice what God further says in Isaiah 43:26: Put me in remembrance; let us plead together; declare thou that thou mayest be justified. This scripture is clearly an invitation for discussion and for close scrutiny of God's word individually and among others to see what it is and is not saying. 

As long as Christians and saints cannot understand the need to rigorously examine God's word for meaning and answers, we will never see God's multiple meanings and receive the multiple blessings of the Lord. 

The word of God is so pregnant with meaning until we need to study and restudy what God is saying to get God's multi-tiered meanings. God's word has so vast a coverage, depth, and scope of meaning that it has to be studied for its literal and primary meaning, broad implications, symbolism, inferences, and applicability.  "...No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." [2 Pet. 1:20-21] Whereas this scripture is commonly and correctly interpreted to mean that prophecy of old must blend into the overall and complete tapestry of God's word, it also means that a single interpretation may not be the total sum and substance of what that prophecy means, but that God had several or more meanings for a certain spoken word. Now this is not to say that his word contradicts itself, but it is to say that God may say many things in one prophecy or by one pronouncement. 

David wrote that "God has spoken once, twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God." [Psa. 62:11]  Clearly the  grammatical structure of this sentence literally means this, God has spoken one time, I have heard this thing said twice, namely, power belongs to God. This interpretation is, without mistake, fashioned by the sentence's structure. But cannot this scripture also mean that when God spoke, his words were so reverberating that they resounded within David's ears and came back to him as an echo or from another or many others? Notice what David also wrote in Psalms 19: "There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." 

So what God's word says is deep and profound, having widespread implications and applicability. And since that is the strength and depth of God's word, we need to study and restudy his word as a mere first step of understanding it and getting greater truths from it. Because  Paul had understood this need for vast study of God's word and had given himself to rigorous study, Paul understood what David meant by this Psalms 19 passage. And standing on Mars' Hill he said, "...As your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'"  [Acts 17:23] Paul heard the voice of God through the discourse of man, even among unholy men. He knew that all wisdom is of God and man was made in the image of God; therefore, if man is to be wise his wisdom must come from God. Hence, the profound wisdom of man may be the voice of God surging and resurging throughout the earth. Indeed, there is no speech nor language where God's voice is not heard!

From the early giving of the Law to the close of the dispensation of the Law, that tradition of inquiry was alive and in place. That was the purpose of God's word through the mouth of Isaiah that said, "Put me in remembrance; let us plead together; declare thou that thou mayest be justified." God is saying talk to me, put me in remembrance of what I have said and plead with me about it, if you want to feel and actually be justified. This is the call for wrangling with him and with others about what he has said. It is only through the multitude of counselors can you find a sure truth. [Prov. 11:14] Unchallenged thought and pronouncements will never reveal God's truth. Yet that is what has happened to many congregations; resultantly, many congregants' faith has been overthrown. Do not be deceived, an unquestioning attitude is not obedience to God's word; it is in defiance to God's word--God wants us to prove all things, not sit passively by and accept anything that is said.

Even back in the early stages of the law, there were those of genuine intent who asked questions about the word. They were not pernicious persons wanting to challenge God's word or God's man for rebellious purposes, but for truth and justice. These are lines that can and should be readily divined by all Christians. 

In Numbers 27, the daughters of Zelophehad went to Moses protesting the unfairness of the law that would disinherit them simply because they were females and their father had no sons. They stood by the door in the face of all the congregation and said that their father had no sons, and he did not rise up against Moses.... Their case made sense, and it was taken to God by Moses, and although the Law had been given, God said to Moses, "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren, and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto his daughters."  

Indeed, when they took their issue to Moses for reconsideration, even though the principle had not then been delineated as it is now or was after their bold action, they put God in remembrance of the injustice that would transpire if things were left as they were. And the judge of all the earth who will do right, even as they were asking for right, reversed a previous decision and granted their request. [Gen. 18:25] This example of God's reversal shows us the standing and blessings of God that await us who will come boldly to the throne of grace, making God remember his word as you plead with him for justification. [Heb. 4:16] Indeed, these things were written for our learning. [Rom. 15:4]

At the close of the dispensation of Law, that tradition of inquiry was still rigorously operative. The Bible says that Jesus went into the synagogue and read from the book and answered and asked questions of doctors of the law concerning the word of God. Even as a child of 12-years old he was in the synagogue asking and answering questions. [Luke 2:46; 4:16-30] Even along the way when Jesus healed and preached, Pharisees employed the question and answer technique to try to box Jesus in. But they failed because they did not know the word of God well enough. At one point Jesus responded to them, "Ye err not knowing the scriptures  nor the power of God." [Mark 12:24-27]

Once that dispensation was put away and another ushered in, that inquiry tradition continued on. There was never a time in early apostolic church history where a lack of inquiry, stifled questions and muted speech in the synagogues or the churches did not exist, until the Dark Ages. 

But now in many of our churches, we see an almost complete return to the Dark Ages, as thugs and thieves, lukewarm and backslidden Christians administering many churches have found a receptive place for them to church. This is especially true in American churches. 

Historically and biblically, what we know is that when there is oppression of thought and inquiry about God's word, there is a rise of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils that lead God's people astray and give rise to a cult of human personality.  [1 Tim. 4:1-3] 

But, thank God, at evening time there shall be light, and we will also see the rise of seven thousand who are willing to champion the truth of God. [1Ki. 19:18;Zech. 14:7]   

         Part Two: Prove all Things and Hold Fast to the Good

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The Word of Truth Ministries
Oakland, CA