There are many, many, people who like to argue that the study of how the world will end, new earth begins, the return of Jesus Christ, and the events surrounding these things, are secondary issues. They like to say that since there is so little disagreement in the church, then instead of fighting about what view is truth and what is error, we need to realize that Eschatology is not really that important, at least not as important as our relationships. This is a very strange idea coming from those who should remember that in the church, relationships are based upon truth, not fiction, nor views. My relationship to another in the church only goes so far as each of us is walking in the light, that is the light of the proper understanding of sound doctrine. There are some who are doctrinally stronger than others, true. There are some who have greater grasps on the profound teachings of Christ. There are some who only really understand the simplest of truths about Christ. However, what we understand (and obey) of the Word of God is, and should be, our point of fellowship. That is, since the Scripture teaches us about the God whom we did not know and could not know apart from the revelation of Himself, we can only fellowship around Him to the degree that we comprehend the revelation of the Scripture. Yet, in our new way of interpreting the Bible, we have decided that it is far too unloving and proud to assert the Bible, and far too demanding that we expect people to believe what it says, even in the teachings of future events. This is a problem. We have successfully exchanged relationships for truth, the pursuit of psychological concerns for the pursuit of understanding Scripture, simply speaking love for speaking the truth in love. In short, the church has made truth, at least certain parts of it, negligible as compared to relationships, and reduced truth to fiction. How can this be? What are we thinking? Again, my relationships with others professing Christ in the church will only go so far as our mutual pursuit of understanding the teaching of the Word of God (Ephesians 4:11-16). You show me a man who says that Eschatology is a secondary matter, and I will show you a man who has replaced light with darkness, truth with people, impartiality with favoritism, the fear of God with the fear of man. The sum of Scripture is truth (Psalm 119:160). The knowing and understanding of it is the expectation of the God who gave it (Deuteronomy 6). The distinction between the church and the world is the adherence to, and belief in, the true God, and His revelation as contained on every page of the Bible (1 John 4:4-6). To consider any portion of Scripture as unknowable before you even study it is to believe doubt more than the clarity of Scripture. And, unfortunately, we are more prone to listen to the one who introduces a questioning, a doubt, and a yes, but... statement than the one who does understand and can demonstrate it from sound study of the text. This is the surest way to promote, protect, and maintain schism in the church-to deny that Scripture is clear (especially on a matter that is abundantly addressed in the Bible-last things).
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 12:28:48 +0000
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