Apparent Contradictions? Rightly Dividing Truth

Apparent Contradictions? Rightly Dividing Truth

Scripture Is, Scripture Does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV), All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. John 5:39-40 (NKJV), You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Love the World? John 3:16 (NKJV), For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV), 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

World, κόσμος, kósmos World, with its primary meaning being order, regular disposition and arrangement. an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e., the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens (see 1 Peter 3:3) the world, the universe the circle of the earth, the earth the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ

A Closer Look John 3:16 (NKJV), For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Who is the world? Whoever (all) 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV), 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Another Example Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV), 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Revelation 7:19-15 (NKJV), 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen. 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from? 14 And I said to him, Sir, you know. So he said to me, These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 7-Jesus speaking under law-who could be justified by the law? None. Revelation 7-God s revelation under grace (can only be saved by grace, Ephesians 2:8-9)

Apparent Contradictions? 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV), 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. How does one present ones -self approved to God? How does one present ones -self not ashamed Rightly dividing What is contradicting is not Scripture, but faulty interpretation of Scripture. The apparent contradiction is not with God but rather man.

God What is the meaning of the word God? God is too big to ever know completely John 1:18 (NKJV), 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. It is essential we understand we will never in all eternity know it all, to arrive at that point one would become God. However, we can be content in knowing for eternity He who is all in all.

Important Considerations in Biblical Interpretation The intended audience When spoken (A covenantal perspective) Before law Under law After law (Grace) Special Case: Jesus Ministry Example Romans 5:13 (NKJV), For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Animal sacrifice Forgiveness of sins God s Nature: love, peace, mercy, patient, grace Part of speech: Noun, verb, adjective, adverb, tense, case, subject, object, figure of speech simply a word or a sentence thrown into a peculiar form, different from its original or simplest meaning or use Example: the ground needs rain, a fact; the ground is thirsty, a figure of speech.

Important Considerations in Biblical Interpretation: Figure of Speech Bullinger, E. W. (1898). Figures of speech used in the Bible Wherever possible the words of Scripture are to be understood literally. When a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, known fact, or revealed truth, or seems to be at variance with the general teaching of the Scriptures, then we may reasonably expect that some figure is employed. It is used to call our attention to some specially designed emphasis. We are bound to diligently examine the figure for the purpose of discovering and learning the truth that is thus emphasized. Laws of geometry, laws of syntax The major scriptural figures of speech Ellipsis-omission Addition

Some Common Figures of Speech Anthropomorphism, or personification, is attribution of human form or other characteristics to anything other than a human being. Metaphor- An implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in common. Hyperbole- An extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect. Irony- The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. A statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea. Oxymoron- A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side. Paradox- A statement that appears to contradict itself. Simile- A stated comparison (usually formed with "like" or "as") between two fundamentally dissimilar things that have certain qualities in common.

Basics of Interpretation: The Accepted Rules 1. Rule of Definition. Define the term of words being considered and then adhere to the defined meanings. 2. Rule of Usage. Don t add meanings to established words and terms. What was the common usage in the cultural and time period when the passage was written? 3. Rule of Context. Avoid using words out of context. Context must define terms and how words are used. 4. Rule of Historical Background. Don t separate interpretation and historical investigation. 5. Rule of Logic. Be certain that words as interpreted agree with the overall premise. 6. Rule of Precedent. Use the known and commonly accepted meanings of words, not obscure meanings for which there is no precedent. 7. Rule of Unity. Even though many documents may be used there must be a general unity among them. 8. Rule of Inference. Base conclusions on what is already known and proven or can be reasonably inferred from all known facts.

The Most Important Rule of Interpretation Confused yet? Don t be John 16:13-15 (NKJV), 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.