We've all seen the illustration of buttoning up your shirt. If you start at the bottom and work your way up but mistakenly skip a button, you'll be one button off when you finish. Where you start determines where you end. The same is true with our assumptions or beliefs. Where you begin greatly affects where you eventually end up. This is especially true regarding the way we read the Bible or apply its truth.
If you believe that God is harsh, holding an iron fist over your head, waiting for you to break a rule so he can smash you, then you'll end up wanting to get as far away from God as you can. If you believe God has no standards, is not holy, but is a deity made in your sinful image, you'll have no convictions.
Where you start out -- with which assumptions -- affects where you end up. A good question to consider is this: who told you God was like that? Most people haven't done the basic research to know the Lord. They have never read the Bible for themselves. Then there is another dilemma. People think they know the God of the Bible because they were taught by Pharisees steeped in tradition and legalism.
"Pharisees are the same yesterday, today, and forever." Pharisees were the teachers of the Law of Moses who emerged as leaders within Judaism. They were a powerful religious and political party during Jesus' time. They were preachers of religious superiority, of prejudice against women, and racial bigotry. These were the teachers who tightened the noose of rules on the Jewish people, adding non-biblical requirements to their culture. Jesus said they never knew the Father. They were the ones who shouted, "Crucify Him!" at Jesus' trial. They were the KJV only fundamentalists of that era.
Pharisees come in all labels and venues. The sad fact is that they are usually very sincere. Believing they are the true interpreters of God's word, they use the letter of the scriptures to slice and dice people (other Christians) who don't believe like they do. To them, having correct doctrine is far more important than having a good heart. Being true to the historic faith handed down is more important than having a relational faith from knowing God. If you knew God, you would display his love.
The Southern Baptists have convened to elect their next national leader. A big issue among them right now is sexism or gender bias. A previous leader, undoubtedly considered a godly man, held the viewpoint that Christian married women should stay submitted, even to abusive husbands.
There are two main problems with that position.
The first is that it demeans the woman. Why should a woman be expected to submit to an abusive man when no sensible person would expect a man to submit to the abuse of another person, male or female? Is she of less value? God is no respecter of persons. God's daughters have just as much worth as his sons. I deal with the male-female headship issue in my book, Women on the Team.
The second problem? This is an erroneous interpretation of submission. It is a Pharisee's way, not the Father's way. This error derives from an incorrect way of interpreting and applying the scriptures. Grace and truth came from Jesus. The Law came from Moses. If you start off by making biblical truth into rules, you end up as a Pharisee rather than a real follower of Jesus.
-- Ron Wood is a writer and minister. Email him at [email protected] or visit www.touchedbygrace.org. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 06/20/2018