Posted on Tuesday,

#18: What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Interpreting the Bible?

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Interpreting the Bible?

Can a non-Christian grasp the content of the Bible? Yes and no.

Yes, if we mean the text can be understood by employing a sound approach to literature—to the basic grammar, context, and content of a passage.

But an unbeliever cannot fully appreciate and take to heart the truth of the Bible. God’s Spirit helps Christians discern the spiritual realities of the text and then apply them to their lives (see 1 Cor. 2:14).

Scott Duvall and Daniel Hays offer helpful insight here:

When it comes to biblical interpretation, having the Holy Spirit does not mean that the Spirit is all we need, since he will not make biblical interpretation automatic. He expects us to use our minds, valid interpretive methods, and good study helps. The Spirit does not create new meaning or provide new information, but he does enable us to accept the Bible as God’s Word and grasp its meaning. The Spirit will not change the Bible to suit our purposes or match our circumstances, but he will work in our lives as interpreters. He restores us to our senses and helps us grow up spiritually so we can hear his voice in the Scriptures more clearly.

(more…)

Posted on Tuesday,

#17: Why Knowledge Matters for Christians

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Why Knowledge Matters for Christians.

Unfortunately, many people today think that you can’t know religious or moral truths. Why?

Because if physics, chemistry, biology, or genetics doesn’t deal with a topic, then they assume you can’t know it.

In other words, it’s fine for you to say you believe that Jesus is God but not that you know Jesus is God.

However, if this were the case, then (more…)

Posted on Tuesday,

#16: What is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts?

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What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?

Talking about spiritual gifts can be confusing and at times controversial. But what does the Bible teach?

1 Peter 4:10-12 says:

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ…”

Here are three things we learn about spiritual gifts from this passage:

First, each believer is given a spiritual gift. We are to receive the gift that the Holy Spirit has given us with gratitude and without comparison because not everyone gets the same gift.

Second, spiritual gifts do (more…)

Posted on Tuesday,

#15: What’s the Difference Between Knowing and Showing Christianity is True?

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What’s the difference between knowing and showing Christianity is true?

I was first introduced to this helpful distinction by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig.

The Bible teaches that a believer knows Christianity is true on the basis of the internal witness of the Holy Spirit.

The Testimony of the Holy Spirit

Passages like Rom. 8:16 and Gal. 4:6 make this clear:

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Romans 8:16

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” – Gal. 4:6

When we become a follower of Jesus, God’s Spirit (more…)

Posted on Tuesday,

#14: What is True Tolerance?

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What is true tolerance?

True tolerance is where we extend to each other the right to be wrong.

False tolerance, on the other hand, naïvely asserts that all ideas are created equal and this must be rejected. Not only is this obviously false, it’s unlivable.

Unfortunately, as Stephen Prothero has put it, “The ideal of religious tolerance has morphed into the straitjacket of religious agreement.”

Contrary to what is commonly believed, the height of intolerance is not disagreement, but rather removing the public space and opportunity for people to disagree. You can still love someone (more…)