The Proper Biblical Perspective

I. Introduction
   A. Denominationalism
      1. why is it so prevalent?
      2. why can't anyone get along?
      3. why the various interpretations?
   B. Lack of proper perspective
      1. Inaccurate (or non-existent) concept of Biblical authority
      2. not following God's guidelines on how to read His book
      3. Can we find the way that we will know what He wants?

II. Fundamental Perspective
   A. What is the Bible?
      1. God's Word, of course, but beyond that: what is the purpose of His 
         Word?
      2. 1 John 1:1-4: so that we may have fellowship with God
   B. Is the Bible a sin list?
      1. sin=lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
      2. yet sin is more than "without law:" do we see a comprehensive list of 
         sins in Scripture?  Is every single possible sin outlined?
      3. by no means!
   C. The Bible= a guide for faith
      1. Romans 14:23
      2. notice it does not read, "whatsoever is not of sin is faith," but, 
         "whatsoever is not of faith is of sin."
      3. Faith="assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not 
         seen" (Hebrews 11:1)
      4. Faith thus is a conviction of the Truth; thus, whatsoever is not a 
         conviction of the Truth is of sin
   D. Hence, our premise: the Bible is not a book of what NOT to do, but a book 
      of what TO do
   E. Therefore, when we hear, "well, the Bible never says not to do this," 
      we see an improper perspective of the Bible manifested
      1. instrumental music
      2. institutionalism
   F. Why this prevalent attitude?
      1. people want to get away with whatever they can: walk the line
      2. not the way God wants us to be

III. Other Perspective Considerations 
   A. Objectivity versus Subjectivity
      1. the proper Biblical perspective would entail complete objectivity, 
         bringing nothing to the text but what is already there (Revelation 
         22:18-19)
      2. when people examine the Scriptures subjectively, a whole host of false 
         ideas begin
         a. they will read whatever they believe into the Scriptures
         b. they will reject exactly what the Bible says due to their 
            preconceived notions
      3. We do not know the mind of God (Isaiah 55:9), therefore, how can we 
         presume to determine why He has instituted various laws better than 
         He has?
      4. Less objectivity=less accurate interpretations
      5. Issues: institutionalism/MDR/instrumental music
         a. people think with their hearts, not heads
         b. they want to help poor people, yet do not want to understand how to 
            do so as God would wish
         c. they want to find some way to justify an adulterous relationship 
            because its participants are happy
         d. they want to play their instruments to use their talents "for the 
            Lord"
      6. Biblical authority means nothing in this situation, nor does rational 
         thought, logic, and a demonstration of proper Biblical perspective: 
         their ears and eyes are closed (Isaiah 6:9-10)
   B. Interpretations
      1. a major question with any Biblical verse/idea is if it is literal or 
         figurative; how should we draw the line?
      2. We must maintain proper perspective and attempt to determine what God 
         DOES want us to do as opposed to the incessant focus on what NOT to 
         do (cf. Romans 14:23)
      3. Licensing Training example:
         a. three levels of ability
         b. bottom: ignorant.  had they studied a little more, they would have 
            known the information in order to answer the question correctly
         c. middle: correct.  they used the information they used and applied 
            it as the author of the test saw fit
         d. top: overthinking.  they knew the information, but would think too 
            hardly on the questions presented, and their attempts to determine 
            any exceptions undermined their ability to score well
      4. These same categories are found with people and the Bible!
         a. The ignorant- as in Hosea 4:6, do not know the precepts of God.  
            If they knew the precepts, they would follow Him correctly
         b. The correct- they know what the Bible says, and they have the 
            tools to understand how to apply it correctly.  
         c. The overthinking- they know what the Bible says, yet they think so 
            much about the text that they look for any possible exception and 
            end up considering everything as metaphor (cf. Jesus Seminar, 
            Baptists on baptism)
      5. Hence, the correct way of living is in the middle
         a. we must know what the Bible says, but we must be wary of 
            overinterpretation
         b. consistently examining oneself: 2 Corinthians 13:5
      6. Where is the middle?
         a. Consistency is the key
         b. The Bible will not contradict itself
         c. hence, if verses seem contradictory, consider context, author, and 
            purpose to determine metaphorical readings (first hermeneutical 
            principle: Acts 16:31 vs. Acts 2:38)
         d. or, perhaps one verse is more universal in nature, and another is 
            just speaking of a certain circumstance (e.g. Acts 3:19 vs. Acts 
            2:38)
         e. however, if there is no need to interpret metaphorically, one 
            should never do so.  As with the Bible being a book of what TO do 
            as its primary purpose, the text should be considered as literal 
            as its primary interpretation until the text no longer allows it 
            to be so

IV. Guiding Perspective
   A. There is always a way which cannot be wrong
      1. another idea from Romans 14: on any issue, there must be at least one 
         right way of doing something
      2. for instance, with instrumental music: is it ever wrong to sing 
         without an instrument?  No.  Hence, no matter what, to sing a cappella 
         is never wrong
      3. is it wrong for an individual to help the poor?  No.  Hence, no matter 
         what, to help the poor on an individual basis is never wrong
   B. Proper perspective
      1. First, remember that God is telling you how to live by faith 
         primarily; proscriptions on what not to do are secondary
      2. Examine how you are reading the Bible: do you read what is there or 
         what you want to be there?  Are you allowing your biases and 
         preconceived notions to determine how you will interpret Scripture or 
         will you look at what Scripture is saying to abolish those notions?
      3. Are you looking at the Bible as a literal document with some 
         figurative language or as a figurative document with some literal 
         events?  Remember: the proper way of interpretation will always be 
         between ignorance and overintellectualism!
      4. Do you first look for the way which must be correct and only then 
         look to see if any other way is authorized?  Or do you look to see 
         why whatever way you wish to follow is not authorized?  
      5. Finally, how can we ever begin to read the Scriptures and to determine 
         what they say until we develop the proper Biblical perspective?

V. Invitation
   A. The reason for denominationalism is improper Biblical perspective 
   B. Examine yourselves tonight: how are you with God?  Have you looked to 
      Him to determine what He wants or what you think (or you wish) He wants?
   C. Scripture is clear: He wants you to confess that His Son is the Christ, 
      for you to repent of your sins, and to be immersed in water for the 
      forgiveness of your sins (Matthew 10:25, Acts 2:38)
   D. Please come to the front as we stand and sing