Know Your Bible

VOL. 10 November 20, 2011 NO. 43

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Surprising Bible Teachings On Prominent Religious Subjects

Some people are surprised to learn that the Bible teachings differ from what they have always heard. What have you heard about these prominent doctrines?

Falling From Grace? -- The Bible teaches that such is possible: -- (Gal. 5:4; Heb. 6:1-6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22)

Inherited Total Depravity? -- The Bible teaches that sin is of such nature that it cannot be inherited (1 Jn. 3:4). Furthermore, the offspring does not bear the iniquity of the parent (Ezek. 18:20). Children are innocent and safe in their early infantile state (Matt. 18:1-4).

Predestination? -- The Bible teaches that certain kinds of individuals (those who are holy and love and obey God are the ones who have been predestined to be saved). Note the follow-ing Scriptures: (Eph. 1:4,5; Rom. 8:28-38). However, it is left up to the individual to choose whether or not to be-come one that follows God's predestined plan. Such is not forced to do so: (Rev. 22:17;Josh. 24:15; Matt. 16:24).

The Nature Of The Soul (Spirit)? -- The Bible teaches that man has a soul (spirit) placed within him at conception, and that this soul (spirit) is immortal. Such soul or spirit is not placed in any other created being other than human beings. (2 Cor. 4:16-18; Lk. 16:19-31; Matt. 25:46; Psa. 22:26).

The Reality Of Hell? -- The Bible teaches that hell is as real a place as is heaven and that each place is eternal in nature (Matt. 25:46; Jn. 5:28,29). There is a heaven to gain and there is a hell to shun! A comprehensive description and picture of hell is found in Rev. 14:10,11.

Divorce And Remarriage? -- The Bible teaches that marriage is to be between one man and one woman for life (Rom. 7:1-4). There is only one exception to this given in the Word of God. That exception is when a spouse in the marriage commits fornication. The innocent party in this matter can divorce the guilty mate and marry another who has the right to marry. (Matt. 19:3-9).

Women Preachers? -- The Bible teaches that women are to be in subjection to men and are not to usurp authority over them. This is especially true in the public teaching of the Word of God. (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:3).

Premillennialism? -- The Bible teaches that (a) no one knows when Jesus is coming again Mk. 13:32; (b) there will be only one general resurrection Jn. 5:28,29; (c) the kingdom is in existence Col. 1:13; (d) Jesus is now reigning as King in His kingdom Acts 17:7; 1 Cor. 15:22-27; (e) there is no indication that Jesus will ever set His feet upon this earth 1 Thess. 4:13-18. This Scripture tells us that at the coming of the Lord in judgment, those that have served Him faithfully in this life, whether they are alive or dead, will be caught up into the heavens, and that THERE they will ever be with Him - not upon a renovated or renewed earth. This earth will be burned up with fire. The new heavens and new earth that are mentioned as our new dwelling place will be in heaven with the Lord forever. 2 Pet. 3;10ff. The land promises to Israel have already been fulfilled. And its purpose, the bringing into the world of the Son of God, has been fulfilled as well. This is also the finished purpose for the nation of Israel in Canaan land. This was all fulfilled when Christ was born into the world for the purpose of being the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, both Jew and Gentile. So, there is no longer need for a special nation, the Jews, in a special place, Canaan, but all peoples, both Jew and Gentile, will be saved by obeying the gospel of Christ found in the New Testament. (Josh. 21;43-45; 2 Chron. 9:25).

---Wendell Winkler

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"Coed Slumber Parties?"

That's the title of a recent article in the teen section of the local paper, (Times Daily, Florence, AL, June 1, 2005, p. 6e). "Innocent fun or danger zone?" is the subtitle. The simple asking of the question is disturbing.

In this article the author, Helena Ollviero from Cox News Service quotes a mother of a 16-year-old daughter extensively. Her daughter is a "good kid," "a top student,... and even does her own laundry." She tells her mother, "You can trust me."

Well, that's good. One thing we strive for is trust between parents and children. Children are to honor their parents, and parents are to be considerate of their children, even as they parent (Eph. 6:1-4). There's just something unrealistic about asking teenagers to be morally pure when staying over night with members of the opposite sex.

"And her mother did just that. After Kaitlin's prom, the 39-year old stay-at-home mom opened her door to four teenage boys and five teenage girls." The art depicts a young man playing with a computer game on the same bed with a couple of girls who are looking at a book and talking, all in their nighties. Another scene depicts a pillow fight with the boys and the girls scattering feathers everywhere.

The thing that such politically correct notions leave out in such liberated appeals as the above is that there are obvious powers at work in human beings which must be managed by convention

and not just a matter of good intentions. There are some people who live in the house with poisonous snakes, lions, or skunks, and every so often we read in the news abut how the dwellers let

down their guard and were choked, bitten, mauled, or made to stink. Most people, abiding by conventional wisdom, would never allow a wild animal into their homes, and so never have to worry about being attacked.

There are those who do not worry about the sin of fornication when their children are concerned. They simply arm their children with contraceptives and send them on their way. Such parents

would never try to fool anyone about what might go on among teens when left to themselves.

There are stories of parents who invite kids' boyfriends and girlfriends over for stayovers, with permission to sleep together. They would never have a wild animal in their house, but they accept

that their children might behave like wild animals. These folks are concerned about "safe sex," safe drinking, and safe who-knows-what-else. "They're gonna do it, so make it safe" is their motto. They are more realistic than our coed-slumber party mom, but are blind to the sin of fornication.

God's Word directs youngsters in the path of sexual chastity, but not by mounting unrealistic trust in kids, rather, by directing them to avoid those powerful temptations which might come their way.

"Flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6:18). That is quite different from tossing the boys and girls into a slumber party together and expecting nothing to happen.

The wise man in Proverbs tells about "a young man devoid of understanding" who is seduced by a woman "in the attire of a harlot." "Her house is the way to hell," the Scripture says. The instructions is "Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways. Do not stray into her paths..." (Prov. 7:6-27). God says that boys and girls, men and women might stray into temptation. Is it possible that human nature has changed to the point that they can be thrown into its path without consequences?

Our generation, at least on the one hand, seems to deny the power of the opposite sex. The apostle says, "The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife" (1 Cor. 7:4). The power of sexual attraction is tremendous! As brother Raymond Harville is fond of pointing out, "Some things are bigger than you." The smart thing concerning fornication (and many other vices) is to avoid it and even flee from it.

Now for those boys who might stay over at a girl's party and not be tempted, what can be said? God has made boys and girls with this attraction for one another, setting up conventions for managing it. There is marriage (Matt. 19:3-9), (modest) apparel and behavior appropriate for the genders (1 Cor. 6:9), roles for women and roles for men (1 Tim. 5, Ti. 2:1-6), and others. When that attraction for the opposite sex is missing, something is wrong.

So, kids (and adults) can "get in over their heads" even without inviting temptation with such absurdities as coed slumber parties. God knows that those pitfalls are out there, so He promises to not allow us to be tempted above what we're able to bear (1 Cor. 10: 13). Trust between parents and children involves something similar.

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess. 5:21,22).

---George Hutto

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