Put it on the shelf: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
No edit summary
Line 2: Line 2:


Is this the correct way of approaching scripture?
Is this the correct way of approaching scripture?
=What being a Christian requires=
A financial adviser is somebody who you ask for advice.  They give you a report and then you can do what you want with it. You can put it on the shelf, or you can follow it, or you can put part of it on the shelf and follow part of it.
But Jesus doesn't want to just be a consultant, he wants to be my CEO, the Lord of my life.<ref>Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).</ref>
When we put scripture "on the shelf" what we are really doing is selectively ignoring Scripture to support our position, the position of some preacher, or perhaps the position of William Branham, even if that position completely contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible.
If we can't go to the Bible for understanding, where should we go?


=What putting scripture "on the shelf" really does=
=What putting scripture "on the shelf" really does=
Line 26: Line 16:
#'''Reposition it''' - this is the approach commonly taken by liberal Christians or those who compromise Biblical teaching with other beliefs they hold.  They reposition the meaning of a passage based on the various voices or other views that are held by themselves or others.  In effect, they consider it but it is only one view among many others.  
#'''Reposition it''' - this is the approach commonly taken by liberal Christians or those who compromise Biblical teaching with other beliefs they hold.  They reposition the meaning of a passage based on the various voices or other views that are held by themselves or others.  In effect, they consider it but it is only one view among many others.  
#'''Reject it''' - A decision is made to simply believe that the passage is untrue or has no application to us.
#'''Reject it''' - A decision is made to simply believe that the passage is untrue or has no application to us.
=What being a Christian requires=
A financial adviser is somebody who you ask for advice.  They give you a report and then you can do what you want with it. You can put it on the shelf, or you can follow it, or you can put part of it on the shelf and follow part of it.
But Jesus doesn't want to just be a consultant, he wants to be the Lord of my life.<ref>Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).</ref>
When we put scripture "on the shelf" what we are really doing is selectively ignoring Scripture to support our position, the position of some preacher, or perhaps the position of William Branham, even if that position completely contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible.
If we can't go to the Bible for understanding, where should we go?