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Theological Trespassing: Difference between revisions
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William Branham believed that he was commissioned to reveal mysteries that had been hidden by God. But what does the Bible say about how the mysteries of God should be revealed? | William Branham believed that he was commissioned to reveal mysteries that had been hidden by God from the foundation of the world. But what does the Bible say about how the mysteries of God should be revealed? | ||
Did William Branham ignore the big "No Trespassing" sign that God | Did William Branham ignore the big "No Trespassing" sign that God set up as a warning specifically for men like him?<ref>The concept of "Theological Trespassing" comes from Dr. Aaron Denlinger, professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Reformation Bible College.</ref> | ||
==What the Bible says== | ==What the Bible says== | ||
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:''Silence is an appropriate response in the face of ultimate mystery. As the prophet Isaiah put it, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8–9 NRSV). | :''Silence is an appropriate response in the face of ultimate mystery. As the prophet Isaiah put it, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8–9 NRSV). | ||
:'''''The Scriptures reveal plainly all that is needed for us to know God and to love and to serve him;''' to know our state as sinners, and to know the way of acceptance in Jesus Christ; to understand our duty as redeemed sinners, with respect to our talents and opportunities for service to others; and to know the nature of the spiritual enemies and dangers to which we are exposed. All this belongs to the “revealed things” that are the substance of useful knowledge and, when put into practice, are the substance of heavenly wisdom. But all those things that we are tempted to add to revealed truth, or substitute in its place, serve only to bewilder and confuse the benighted traveler. Such speculations may amuse and distract the curious; but they often mislead as well, leading the unwary to the pit of destruction. The prophet Isaiah warned against those who consult other gods “for teaching and for instruction”: “Surely, those who speak like this will have no dawn!” (Isa 8:20 NRSV).<ref>Duane L. Christensen, Deuteronomy 21:10–34:12, vol. 6B, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002), 732.</ref> | :'''''The Scriptures reveal plainly all that is needed for us to know God and to love and to serve him;''' to know our state as sinners, and to know the way of acceptance in Jesus Christ; to understand our duty as redeemed sinners, with respect to our talents and opportunities for service to others; and to know the nature of the spiritual enemies and dangers to which we are exposed. All this belongs to the “revealed things” that are the substance of useful knowledge and, when put into practice, are the substance of heavenly wisdom. '''But all those things that we are tempted to add to revealed truth, or substitute in its place, serve only to bewilder and confuse the benighted traveler. Such speculations may amuse and distract the curious; but they often mislead as well, leading the unwary to the pit of destruction.''' The prophet Isaiah warned against those who consult other gods “for teaching and for instruction”: “Surely, those who speak like this will have no dawn!” (Isa 8:20 NRSV).<ref>Duane L. Christensen, Deuteronomy 21:10–34:12, vol. 6B, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002), 732.</ref> | ||
==Quotes of William Branham== | ==Quotes of William Branham== | ||