What the Bible Means to You vs. What God Means in the Bible

What you versus what God being in the Bible that is the topic will discuss today right here on the Christian worldview radio program where the mission is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christian and to share the good news that all people can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ, I'm David Weeden the hosting our website is the Christian worldview.org second Timothy 215 says be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. What an important verse that is if you've ever been to group Bible study sitting on a circle. You're probably heard an attendee say well what this passage means to me is well with all due respect to matters not one whit what the Bible means to any given person, but only matters what God means in the Bible. The goal of studying scriptures to understand God's intent via the human author whom he inspired to write the text, not hermeneutics is a theological term for interpreting Scripture and Abner child, Prof. of biblical studies at the Masters University seminary and editor editor of what happened in the garden. He's our guest today on the Christian worldview he can explain what it means to interpret Scripture with a hermeneutic of surrender and you also make the case that correctly interpreting the opening chapters of Genesis is critical to interpreting the rest of Scripture. I hope you can join us for the entire hour for this important conversation. Here's the first segment with Abner Chow. What does this big word theological sounding academic word hermeneutics mean and why is hermeneutics actually really the bottom line of the bottom line when it comes to how we live out our faith or understand what the Bible says that's a great question. Hermeneutics fundamentally deals with what is it mean to study our Bible. What are the rules involved in that where the principles that drive and how do we make decisions, how do we understand what the Bible says hermeneutics articulates what we believe about how to read the Bible how to actually read it on in a practical sense and why we believe what we believe about all of that and that issue of studying God's word, the issue of knowing what it means is the issue in Christianity because everything is you mention stems from that how we live our Christian life is dependent upon how we understand God's word what we believe about God and how we love him and what is it mean to love him and what is it mean to know him and his son and the holy's.

All of that is dictated by our understanding of what is it mean to read our Bible. How does that work and why do we believe what we believe when we think about the issue of hermeneutics are how we study our Bibles and what is at stake in some everything in the Christian life is at stake when we appear before God and he we desire him to say to was well done good and faithful servant.

Well, to define that word faithfulness. We need to know how to read our Bibles rightly so we can please God rightly Abner Chow with us today on the Christian worldview. He is a professor of biblical studies at the Masters University in seminary.

He is the author of the hermeneutics of the Bible writers and also a book are going to discuss in a second is editor of what happened in the garden now if this is so important.

Hermeneutics how to interpret Scripture how it applies. Seems that the obvious, that so importance can affect everything about you and your understanding of God. Why isn't the pursuit of accurately interpreting Scripture contending for sound doctrine defending sound doctrine. Why doesn't that seem to be such a high priority essay does take an example within the evangelical church today only one of the major reasons behind the fact that hermeneutics isn't carefully discerned through is because of evangelical emphasis on experience.

We don't exactly believe anymore are strongly or with as firm conviction anymore believe that truth matters and if you don't really have to get out the truth in it. The truth isn't authoritative and if the truth isn't binding on shaping everything in our lives, then we don't really need to pursue the truth.

And if we don't need to pursue the truth.

Then were knocking a really need to know and really be sharp and precise in how to study the truth which is the Scriptures and so because we are bent on experience. That experience informs what we believe and experience is what we believe and experience is the outcome of good belief as long as you feel good. As long as you have a wonderful time doing what ever then your beliefs and your activity must be okay. If that's the litmus test and since that is often the litmus test in evangelical churches.

Truth is really marginalized and with that the pursuit of truth in hermeneutics. So give us an example of that in just everyday life. Someone who doesn't take a really serious approach to understanding Scripture interpreting it accurately how that play out.

Give us a couple examples of how that would factor into to a Christian's life. But let's use a kind of a trivial example, except it is massive because talking about sin. Let's use a simple case study. We know that in the book of second Corinthians, Paul talks about us being weak.

He talks about how God's grace is sufficient his power made perfect in our weakness and therefore he delights in magnifying is humility and weakness as opposed to straight magnifying your arrogance magnifying your exalting. This is actually contrary to the gospel of grace because grace is God doing all which means that were nothing. This is the truth.

In second Corinthians 12 this is what individual words mean, like power and weakness, and grace and we want to study those carefully and that drives a framework that drives a mentality that when were with others and we appear to be weak. We don't try to act frightfully. We don't try to fight back when we are personally maligned or insulted or put down.

We take it we bear it because in our weakness in God's power is magnified well when we don't read our Bibles carefully and we just rely on what we feel to drive whatever we want to do or what we see, sometimes even on social media nowadays. When people are insulted if I back when people are hurt.

They try to hurt back when people are reviled, they reviled back. Why is that. That's because we haven't pursued truth and said the word of God is authoritative.

This is how I have to live my life. I don't have a choice. This is what pleases God. This is what serves an eternal gospel purpose and so my life needs to be conformed to that when experience is the standard and what I feel is the litmus test for legitimacy. While these are the kinds of actions you're going to get. Here's another example. And this is a grander one and it's so tragic week. I can observe in certain movements. Sometimes in the extreme fringes of the charismatic movement that they believe that they can raise people from the dead. Even though the examples that they would provide come from narratives which record what God is done in history and even in our modern day even in American history. We know that while history may set certain precedents may illustrate certain realities is not always repeatable in personal living what God did, by extension, in the book of acts is not a promise. It's a story is not a guarantee. It's what happened in the past of what God has done, but nevertheless they believe that just like Paul raise some money from the dead, they can raise somebody from the dead, and we have read and observe times when they have claimed OEF we just pray for your child who who just passed away working to raise them from the dead or they're sick with a terminal illness there on their deathbed we know if we have enough faith. They will not die and then what they claim doesn't happen.

Why will simply put, because the Bible never made that promise is that this is what God did in the past. That's the claim that the author's intent. They put words in God's mouth. And here's the tragedy people are saying I don't want anything to do with Christianity and want anything to do with that because your God is a liar. Wait a minute, our God is not a liar. He is the God of truth. People put words in his mouth and defamed him. That is a tragedy that is terrible. That is terrible for the families involved who are hurting and that is ultimately terrible because it reproaches the irreproachable name of Christ, and so hermeneutics matters. We want to please God and we want to represent him rightly so. His name is never defamed but glorified amongst us. Thank you for that answer Abner Chow with us today on the Christian worldview talking about what the Bible means to you versus what God means in the Bible.

He is the editor of what happened in the garden and also the author of the hermeneutics of the Bible writers in your session at the shepherd's conference which I attended a couple years ago you used a phrase, the hermeneutic of surrender.

What does that term mean the hermeneutic of surrender means that we have to recognize who controls the meaning of the Bible. Sometimes people think. I control the meaning of the Bible to whatever it means to me. Some people say well the Bible means whatever it could mean any phrase in the Bible. Whatever it might connote. That's what I think it could mean and I'll just take all the possibilities. But as Christians we know that God is the author the ultimate author of Scripture. It is called his word, the biblical writers exemplify that because they talk about just as the Scripture says, just as Isaiah said, just as the prophet Jeremiah said they are rooting everything in the original intent of the author. The author human divine author working can fluently and inspiration. He is the one who controls the meaning of the text we don't get a say sometimes a preacher and I'm being a little facetious here thinks maybe I should just make this point because it sounds good it'll preach. We don't have that option. We have a hermeneutic of surrender. God is authoritative and he has spoken in his word and we are bound as believers who are submitted to his word and whom, in whom God has transformed our heart so that his word is on our hearts. We are always inclined to submit to his word, we have to surrender to his word, we We cannot fight against the text.

We cannot force her own ideas into the text we surrender what it says we must believe what it commands, we must do.

We bow the knee to Scripture and we can't just say what I don't like that I wanted to mean something else. I think this would be a better idea all of that must be excluded because we have a hermeneutic of surrender that recognizes God's word is God's word and we don't have a right to interject, that's exactly right. Abner Chow was so right. We need a hermeneutic of surrender. In other words, we need to surrender to what God means in the Bible we don't worship the Bible per se is not God the father, God the son and God the holy Scriptures, but we worship the God who authored the Bible because the Bible represents who God is in his mind and his revelation to us. It's what he wants us to know about him and how we can follow and obey him. We have much more coming up today on the Christian review radio program as we talk about what the Bible means to you versus what God means in the Bible. Abner is a professor of biblical studies at the Masters University's seminary. Stay tuned. You're listening to the Christian review radio program, the prosperity gospel is a prominent false gospel that God offers health, wealth and prosperity. If you just have faith and give money costing hint grew up on the inside of the prosperity gospel movement. His uncle is world renowned prosperity preacher Benny in custody sought all the manipulation staged healings, luxuriant lifestyles and perversion of Scripture before God open because these guys to understand sound doctrine and believe in the true gospel.

Now a pastor cost. He has written an important book entitled God read in the prosperity gospel which chronicles his own experience and gracefully points the reader to the truth of Scripture for limited time you can order this 224 page softcover book for donation of any amount to the Christian worldview normal retailer 1799. Without shipping to order: 1888 646-2233 or visit the Christian worldview.org the next Christian worldview speaker series and is on Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church Eden Prairie. It features Darrell Harrison presenting on how social justice impacts the gospel and the church. Darrell is a former fellow of the black theology leadership Institute Princeton theological seminary and expository Bible teacher.

He has a passion for helping Christians understand what they believe and why. He'll do just that with the issue of social justice, followed by a Q&A moderated by host no cost. No registration just come. The event will also be live streamed on the Christian worldview Facebook page for more information: one AAA 646-2233 or visit the Christian world.org the Christian worldview speaker series with Darrell Harrison Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church Prairie: one AAA 646-2230 or visit the Christian world.org have a very full program today with Abner child lesser biblical studies at the mast Masters University's seminary talking about interpreting Scripture very important topic today.

Let's get back to the second segment with Abner child you talk about different ways of interpreting Scripture new point to the literal grammatical historical method LGH as you call it use the acronym as the way we must interpret Scripture talk about some of the common popular ways of interpreting Scripture and why the literal grammatical historical way is the means of discovering the intent of the author as a great question. In fact, I get that the core of hermeneutics because as I said, hermeneutics is one of the rules about interpreting the Bible and why do we believe well to understand this, we it's helpful sometimes to know the alternatives to the true method. The method I would argue the Bible establishes sometimes people read the Bible relative to themselves.

They think the reader and that would be us as readers of Scripture makes up the meaning of Scripture. Whatever it means to me is legitimate.

People then go by their feelings when I feel like the Bible says they go by their sensations of maybe claiming that the Holy Spirit moved me to read the Bible this way they they would go sometimes to talk about what I feel like the Scriptures say others might not take such an experiential approach, they might take a little bit more textual approach and they say whatever the Bible could mean whatever the Bible whatever these words might denote on a humorous level that will be like somebody saying hey all we like sheep that means everybody likes little lambs that should be your favorite animal. That's what the Bible says because the word like could mean that while that's true, I'm being a little facetious here. However, Colts all the time. Use what the Scripture could mean what the words could imply all yes Jesus is firstborn.

That means he must be born will wait a minute, what are the author, me, my firstborn onto the culture doesn't really matter if they say while Jesus is preeminent. He is only begotten will. That means you must be begotten will wait a minute, what are the author mean by the term, only begotten well that is a matter their mentality is what the Scripture could imply what it could mean is legitimate.

That's a form of understanding the Bible. Others will say well whatever anybody says any commentator any creed or any any church father are any person that they admire what they say about Scripture is what the Scripture means now.

In some cases, what people say about the Bible could be true. Your favorite preacher your own pastor is hopefully right most of the time. Not all the time.

But that's not the reason why we believe what the Bible says it says it is because we believe that God speaks, he speaks in his word. This is second Timothy 316. This is second Peter chapter 1 verse 20 to 21 and when he speaks. He uses words and even the writers that he inspires demonstrate that they really believe the words they say are precise. That's how they read the Scripture that's how they write the Scripture is fascinating to see throughout the Bible, how even a term like rest you have Sabbath rest and know what his name means rest and in Solomon's day there was a notion of rest and in Joshua's time there was not rest in the land and in the profits they build upon that and they look forward to a time of rest and then you have in Hebrews 3 and four. A discussion about all of that using the word rest. They that is the biblical writers even on one single word, they knew how it fit in Scripture, and that means they believe words matter. They believe words mean something. God himself says that that's why he says do not add or subtract from the words of Scripture, he wrote the Bible through human authorship and perfect inspiration carefully, correctly precisely inherently, and therefore every word matters. And so, so far of you been inking about this. We said hey God is the author Scripture. It's his intent that matters. That's what we call literal approach and that is seen in a grammatical approach because every word even every aspect of grammar that is embedded in Scripture. Matters and that is written in the context of history. If you look at how say Mark talks about certain customs. He does so Jewish customs to his audience was the Gentile audience.

He says let me explain this custom to you. Let me show you what the Pharisees used to do in Mark 73 or Matthew will even explain the custom of what of what Pilate used to do at the crucifixion in Matthew 27 verse 15, and in light of this, the Scripture cares about history. In fact, it is actually a book that traces God's plan throughout history and therefore you can put it this way, God writes, using words in a historical context and the words of Scripture will link themselves to that historical context. Therefore, when God speaks, he speaks clearly and he uses that mechanism. That is why we want to know God's intent that a literal idea. We have to go through grammar and history.

God declares that and the biblical authors demonstrate that you Abner child with us today on the Christian worldview talking about how do accurately interpret Scripture and were talking about the literal grammatical historical method based on like a big unknown phrase, but it's very important to understand how to accurately read the Bible. Let's get into the ramifications of this and to the other book that you're the editor of what happened in the garden. The subtitle is the reality and ramifications of the creation fall of man, here's a perfect example of portion of Scripture that is interpreted in so many different ways today and the implications of that are huge so will start out with that question you write on page 13 you say the story of Genesis 2 and three is the foundation for the rest of the story in Scripture speak statement change one part of that and we will shift our entire theology even more. Theology is not just ideas in an ivory tower like in academia, but the way we understand reality around us. It intersects every point of life and so a modification of this passage in the first couple chapters of Genesis will have a snowball effect it will rework how we understand the Bible and alter how we understand all of life. What would change when you reinterpret the opening chapters of Genesis. In a word, everything now that's a big statement but believe is totally justified in in saying that, why does the historicity of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and what occurred there with the fall of man.

Why does that have such major implications. Well is even thinking chronologically through the Scriptures, the creation of man and woman in the fall happen at the beginning they happen in the beginning, which sets the agenda in the course of everything thereafter.

And so when you make a change at something so foundational something so initiating the ramifications the trickle-down effect the ripple effect is going to be massive and let me just illustrated this way. When we start to alter, we start to modify what Genesis says what Genesis 1 through three describes the ramifications on theology are tremendous. Take for example the nature of sin. Sin and death. If we say hey word and allow an evolutionary framework into Genesis 1 and three so that death came before the fall will we just change the nature of sin. We just changed the nature of death is death good are bad because now death is part of a good creation where God says it's good and that changes the nature of the cross.

When God kills his own son in punishment on the cross is that good or bad relative to the whole notion of sin if death is good.

What's wrong with dying. What's wrong with the consequences of sin. We have started to change the formula. Likewise, what about man.

If we change what it means to be a man specially created by God is Genesis 2 dictates while we have changed our anthropology. We have changed the way we view human beings in effect, I would argue were seeing the effect of that God made man specially created him, man and woman he created them. That paradigm is being lost in our society because were departing for the from the foundation.

The strong foundation set of how God created mankind human beings.

And so we have changes in anthropology. We have changes in our theology of sin also known as harm, archaeology. We have changes even in our so to reality because how you solve sin and what we are saved unto and even the metaphors that God uses for that are actually creation. Once God says the way he saved us, is the same way, he said, let there be light and there was light. But if God never really did that to begin with and how exactly is he transforming our heart.

David Price create in me a clean heart, O God, and that word create is the same one used in Genesis 1, but if God really never created in Genesis 1 of evolution or something like that is true, what is that saying about the radical transforming nature of our salvation really. Bottom line is this, we need to realize that and this is kind of a fundamental hermeneutical issue.

It really gets into the nature of the Bible history is the foundation for theology.

Okay Abner child is our guest today here on the Christian worldview.

History is the foundation for theology.

What is he mean by that what you're going to hear him explain what that means after this next break of the day here on the Christian Realty radio program were talking about how to interpret Scripture today. Not just how to interpret it. But how to accurately interpret it.

God has one meaning getting one authorial intent. Many applications, one intent need discover what that is.

So we can accurately depict God and live the way for his glory and obey him the way he intends. This is David Wheaton your listing the Christian worldview back after this. You are invited to the Christian worldview golf and dinner on Monday, September 16 Wood Hill country club was at a Minnesota golf registration includes 18 holes with card on one of the best courses in the state with lunch and dinner.

Bring your own force. We can fit you into a whole. Sponsorships are also dinner event description includes a meeting agreed on one wonderful meal a message by host David Wheaton in a live interview with special guest Darrell Harrison the Fellowship content and settings combined to make this a memorable event in support of the Christian worldview radio program. We hope you can come again the Christian worldview golf and dinner event is on Monday, September 16 Wood Hilton Weiser registration deadline is Tuesday, September 3 for details and registration: one AAA 646-2233 or visit Christian world.org one AAA 646-2233. The Christian will the mission of the Christian worldview is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to share the good news that all people can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. When Christians have a stronger faith and when unbelievers come to saving faith lives and families and churches, even communities are change for the glory of God. The Christian worldview is a listener supported ministry. You can help us in our mission to impact hearts and minds by making a donation of any amount or becoming a monthly partner. All donations are tax-deductible. You can give online@thechristianworldview.org or calling us toll-free 1888 646-2233.

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Thank you for your support. God exists and he speaks. That is, will he find out where is that the Bible in the beginning God made the heavens and the earth. There is existing then right there in God's said speaks, and since he exists and speaks we need to know what he says and what he means by what he says in his word. That is why were doing this topic today what the Bible means to you is not really important, but rather it's only important what God means in the Bible and our guest is Abner child. He's the editor of what happened in the garden of book were discussing today and also a professor of biblical studies at the Masters University seminary. Let's get back to the next segment segment with Abner Joe, really.

Bottom line is this waiting to realize that and this is kind of a fundamental hermeneutical issue. It really gets into the nature of the Bible history is the foundation for theology, history is the actualization and the grounding of theology in Scripture. When we talk about the resurrection. We don't say well, even if Jesus didn't rise from the dead. It's okay because the theology of the nice ideas about new creation and making all things new and right in overcoming death cultures still no Paul doesn't tolerate that.

He says of Jesus didn't rise from the dead.

It's over. We have a fruitless faith world liars.

We misrepresented God and were without hope in this world where the ones who should be most pitied. Because history, grounds, theology, and the logic of history and the resurrection is the logic of Scripture on all history when the biblical writers they talk about God's judgment and the flood they don't say well you know the flood and happen.

God is a God of justice. No because the flood happened. Second Peter three. We know God can judge their arguments depend on historicity. Likewise, when people are exhorted about God's wrath and accountability through Sinai.

The logic is not well even if siding doesn't exist you're still accountable know they point to that event in Hebrews. An earlier in Kings and in the prophets and in Psalms to say, because God acted this way you know who he is and therefore you are accountable history rounds theology, history is the actualization of theology in Scripture and as a result of that when we start to take away the historicity of, say, Genesis 1 through 30 where putting in danger is actually the grounding of theology Abner child with us today on the Christian world view is your talking about that I was thinking of the organization. Bio logos. This is a professing Christian organization that teaches theistic evolution that Adam and Eve likely are not historical figures another as they weren't real. They also teach that perhaps God had something to do in creation want to misrepresent with this and you could probably articulate better than I could. But basically that that was an evolutionary process that God used in the creation of heavens and the earth and it wasn't it wasn't six Creek little creation 24 hour creation days, that's a Bio logos believed the teachers and many within professing Christendom agree with that position today. One of the most compelling reasons as you wrote this book about Genesis Abner that the earth that is is thousands of years old with a 6000 years old and not millions of years old that Adam and Eve are historical literal people. The first two human beings. What are some of that the best reasons you think in your own mind why the Bible can be trusted that yes, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them that so important? Because what we need to understand is we don't just want to hold to a bully because we feel like it's good we want to make sure that we have not crazily mishandled God's word.

The world might think we are crazy for what we believe but what we need to make sure is that we have not crazily handle God's word and and so will I would describe my own thought process in this is similar to how CS Lewis talked about Christ. He said he's either a liar lunatic or award. Whatever he said could be totally wrong. He could be lying what he said he didn't know but he was crazy. So it is wrong or what he said as he said it is true and you have to accept him as Lord in the same way. Genesis 123 could be either miscommunication it tried to say something but it failed to do so, or it was misleading to a Western mindset. It can be miscommunication or could be myth, it could be something that is only designed to teach a spiritual lesson like a parable or it could be myth busting its claims about what happened and why it happened. They are all historically grounded. They are all true and therefore it must be seen as history, actualizing theology is myth busting and just to run through really quickly.

How do we know that Genesis is not miss communicating in some way our miss understanding it, the grammar of Genesis 1 is clear we could look at the word, the usage of the word day when day is used by itself. When day is used with numbers. It is consistent that it means a 24 hour period of time, even more than that though term first day in Genesis 1 is action at the word first. It's actually work one. It tells you what counts as one day and that is evening and morning God defines in Genesis 1, what a day means to show that he controls time, but subsequently we know what God means by the word day in Genesis chapter 1. He's not ambiguous. On top of that we could talk about the construction of Genesis 11212. Sometimes people think there's a gap there. If you actually go through and search parallel grammatical constructions organ to find this, you can't really argue a gap there and in fact, Genesis 12 is the very circumstance of Genesis 11 and so the text is clear. There are no grammatical ambiguities.

There will, maybe it's myth maybe it's meant to be a parallel and when we compare though the book of Genesis 2 ancient near Eastern myths. A lot of times people point out the similarities but the question is how similar are the similarities. One of my favorite is SAC in ancient near Eastern myth. There's a firmament above and in a firmament below their state others water separated by the firmament and we said wow that sounds a lot like Genesis. But in actual ancient near Eastern myth, it says this, that a God took a goddess cut her in half and spread her body.

One part in the heavens and one part on the ground.

That's actually what they think is quite similar to what it says in Genesis and when you stop and think about it that's not similar at all don't believe in gods and goddesses and then getting split apart. The similarity might be there but it is so different. It is so distinct and that's what anyone reading the text, both ancient and modern should be overwhelmed by that. The narrative of Genesis, even in its grammar and style ancient near Eastern myths or written poetry Genesis written a narrative, Moses made deliberate effort to say what I'm telling you is not the myths.

What I'm telling you is not what you may have heard Israel in your pagan culture that surrounded you in Egypt and elsewhere. I am telling you something completely and entirely different and distinct. They told you myth.

I'm telling you the history that bus.

The myth and this kind of evidence as well as the consistency of all Scripture with the nature creation in Exodus, God says he makes the world in six days. Deuteronomy 4 talks about since the time that the first man was created first Chronicles even begins with the name Adam. It believes that there was a real Adam. Matthew 19 the New Testament affirms that there is a singularly created couple specially created by God that is reaffirmed in Romans five in verse radius 15 some gradients for as I think I mentioned before talks about how God said, let there be light and there was light. The new and old Testaments consistently, doggedly precisely and accurately uphold the details of Genesis 1 through three. It's as simple as this, even in Psalm 104 which is poetry.

It ironically uphold each day of creation and shows the beauty and details of how God laid it all out. There is no other interpretation of Scripture about the nature, creation, from Genesis to Revelation. From creation to new creation. There is no alternative explanation in the Bible. And that means, and this is the great encouragement. The Bible itself is clear there is a consistent interpretation in our job is just to follow along with the prophets and apostles and even Jesus himself has said advertise with us today in the Christian agree with you Prof. of biblical studies at the Masters University in seminary school and do a couple other ramifications of typical interpretation.

What you make of the current Porsche within some aspects of evangelical Christianity. Even some of the more traditionally conservative leaders are churches and so forth, reinterpreting Scripture again during the interpretation of Scripture to sort of allow for Christians who are quote same-sex attracted Christians or gay Christians. This whole issue of homosexuality creeping into the evangelical church. We need to approach this issue by remembering that the Bible is authoritative and we don't just want to say that we need to remember that the way it discusses things. It discusses a truly and it gives us truth John 17. Your word is truth.

Psalm 19 Psalm 119 all affirm the truthfulness of Scripture. God cannot lie, he speaks the truth. We see that articulated in numbers. For example, and so the Bible is true as God is truth and truth is reality. Proverbs 8 says that when God found in the world he found wisdom, and wisdom is the way the world is truth isn't just nice ideas are good, helpful suggestions. Truth is the way that this world operates.

It is reality and philosophy. We call that truth is correspondence because what is stated corresponds to our is a description and entirely accurate description of the way the world works, and I say all that because the Bible comes with categories. The Bible come definition Abner child will explain those categories and definitions in the Bible. After this break here in the Christian world stating the next Christian worldview speaker series and is on Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church Eden Prairie features Darrell Harris presenting on how social justice impacts the gospel and the church.

Darrell is a former fellow of the black theology leadership Institute Princeton theological seminary and expository Bible teacher. He has a passion for helping Christians understand what they believe and why.

He'll do just that with the issue of social justice, followed by a Q&A moderated by host no cost. No registration just come. The event will also be live streamed on the Christian will be Facebook page for more information: one. Tripoli 646-2233 or visit the Christian world.org the Christian will be speaker series with Darrell Harris Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church and Cohen one Tripoli 646-2233 or visit the Christian world.org the prosperity gospel is a prominent false gospel that God offers health, wealth and prosperity. If you just have faith and give money because Deacon grew up on the inside of the prosperity gospel movement.

His uncle is world renowned prosperity preacher Benny in custody sought all the manipulation staged healings, luxuriant lifestyles and perversion of Scripture before God open because these guys to understand sound doctrine and believe in the true gospel. Now a pastor cost. He has written an important book entitled God reading the prosperity gospel which chronicles his own experience and gracefully points the reader to the truth of Scripture for limited time you can order this 224 page softcover book for donation of any amount to the Christian real normal retailer 1799. Without shipping to order call one Tripoli 646-2233 or visit the Christian were.org final segment of the day here in the Christian Realty as we talk about how to interpret Scripture with our guests Abner child. He is the professor biblical studies at the Masters University in seminary before the break, he was getting into answering what he makes of the move and evangelicalism that's going towards accepting homosexuality with get back to the final segment with Abner child truth is the way that this world operates.

It is reality and I say all that because the Bible comes with categories.

The Bible comes with definitions. It defines the nature of sin.

It defines the way sin works and what we have seen in evangelicalism is that people say homosexual behavior is wrong. All many evangelicals will still say that some won't. And we can point them out to Romans one, first drink and sex and the Lycan and I think even just quite a few event doubles they find we agree. But where things become murky is that people still want to identify as say someone as a homosexual someone as gay or or lesbian. And here is the problem. The Bible says in its category that we have one identity and that is Christ and those behaviors are exactly that they are behaviors. They are sins because they are actions whether they be lost or weathered in our minds and feelings or whether they be physical acts. They're all sinful and that means they can be conquered. They are not who we are. They are what we do.

The Bible consistently portrays that over and over and over and over again.

As such, we dare not make up a new category on this issue that the Bible has definitively spoken on of trying to say. Oh yes, homosexuality, it's an identity is something that's a part of you. You can't really change it. It's just who you are. It's in your DNA is in your nature, so to speak. In that way for the Bible says no were in Christ, and we have new desires, does that mean we overcome every single sin perfectly all the time.

No, but we call it for what it is like every other sin. This too can be fought against this too can be conquered and this too should not be identified with we are baptized in Christ, he is all in all, we have put off the old man put on the new man re-identified from Adam to the Lord Jesus Christ and he has overcome and so we need to have biblical clarity on these issues otherwise were going to allow people to follow into temptation and sin unnecessarily and actually by our lack of clarity were gonna push people to the wrong kind of solution as well. I had one person saying well I want a person who is gay to become straight Nono you want somebody who is lusting after things they should not lust for to actually be holy. That's what we want.

We don't just want to trade one last for another bus. We want people to be conformed to Christ, and love what he loves.

Which is marriage. In this context ever chat with us today in the Christian review you think God's intent was for the Bible to be read and studied by individuals, primarily, or for for pastors who accurately interpret the Bible to preach it to regular people and I'm not saying it's a either or. But is there a primary way that you think the Bible is best understood and secondly, part two of the question is just give us some tips or advice on the best ways for to personally study and understand the Bible like with the best way to read it the answer.

The first one is like you said, it cannot be in either or. We need good creation, God has gifted the church with teachers, we see that in Ephesians chapter 4 because they are those gifted by God to have tremendous insight into Scripture and tremendous clarity in instructing others so that they would know God's word so that they would be equipped with God's word. But at the same time.

From the earliest time God is always intended his people to read God's word. Let me just give you a simple example this in Deuteronomy chapter 1 Moses is talking about the law and he says God said to you. He uses the plural of you. Y'all are all y'all.

In some places. He said God gave this to you so that you would teach your children so that you would know so that you would understand that is punctuated from Deuteronomy 1 onwards.

And so you need good preaching because we don't study Scripture in a vacuum, we do recall depend on teachers who will not only instructors but preachers who also will say as a church together corporately. Communally we will do this together to honor Christ. We need that preaching is leadership and as instruction, but that does not negate. In fact they fuel each other that people need to study the Bible individually. It was always meant, so that God's people individually would also meditate on God's word day and night.

Psalm one God's work functions both ways and both must operate without preachers and teachers teaching you don't guard accuracy and you don't guard the unity of the church without individuals soaking in God's word and growing you do not have any impetus forced content or substance in the living out of the witness of Christ and the church. You need both the boat and the word of God is designed for that and I think relative to tips and tricks along that line 1 we always want to be a good listener of good messages and good teaching.

We want to hear God's word and listen well and learn what it says and learn how the preacher a good preacher, teacher came to their conclusions so we can continue to apply that in our own personal study along that line with our personal study, let me just say this, of course, discipline is involved. Every day, opening our Bible and reading it. Here's a piece of advice instead of reading fast and there is space for reading through your Bible in a year, making sure we are familiar as the word of God will put it with the whole counsel of God's word that the same time there is something beautiful about reading something slow in making sure we understand each word as it fits in context and how that applies to our lives and meditating on it all day thinking about that truth all day, relishing it see how it is beautiful. Sometimes people think well if I spent an hour and I go through 10 chapters.

I feel like I've accomplished something that's true, but sometimes you can go in 10 or 15 minutes. No one phrase one verse of the Bible has said no it accurately and think about it all day and technically at that point, you've had your devotions all day and it's transformed her life and so my advice is yes good to the breath of God's work, but also going slow thinking about each word in context. What does this mean how does this fit in the paragraph in the book that this author's writing answering those kinds of questions can yield from Mendez joy and tremendous transformation as were made more like Christ. I hope you enjoyed the interview today with Abner Chow to start interpreting the Scripture accurately so we can think biblically and live accordingly have good weekend everyone.

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