Reasons why Christians should oppose Allah as name for Yahweh God

Posted by: "Michael Steffen" steffmranger@yahoo.com steffmranger
Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:43 am (PST)

The following is the list of reasons why Christians should oppose
the use of Allah as term for God, whether as a proper name or a
common one or whatsoever:

Theologically, Allah as described in the Quran, can't be possibly
the same as God of the Bible. Instead it matches perfectly the devil
as described in the Bible. Why would we lower our God's name to such
an abominable name of cursed creature. What would any Christian feel
if some other ignorant of English Christian and refer to God as
Lucifer, Abaddon, Zeus€ ¦’¥ Wouldn't we feel offended? That is how we
feel when a person call God, Allah. We feel insulted and our God's
name has been dishonored!

Allah is a type of Baal and Zeus in the Bible. Those terms have been
avoided by the prophets, scribes and early translators of the
Septuagint. Baal was even condemned and rejected by God Himself,
although it means Master and Husband, two attributes that are proper
for God. It was rejected because of the context of its use as a
proper name for a heathen god. For similar reasons (which are
actually worst) and out of the same principles, the name Allah is to
be rejected also. It is to be rejected because it is too Islamic.
Whether Allah might be genuinely the contraction of al-ilaah (the-
deity) or one of the possible derivations of the verb alaha (to
deify), that is not so important but only a second class issue. The
most important thing is the context of the use of the term and what
does it mean to the majority and what is the first thought come to
the mind of a listener while the term is used in communication. If
we insist to keep using it so each time we communicate with others
we should define it according to our use of it and that is
absolutely not practical at all. Besides, what would a Christian
feel if some of us would call God by names like Buddha, Krishna,
Shiva, Matsu€ ¦’¥? Wouldn't that be repulsive and abominable?

From the Islamic teaching, it is obvious and crystal clear that
Allah is the reflection of the spirit of the antichrist. A
destructive force, which aim is to make and keep people blind and
hostile toward the Gospel. Can we say that Jesus is the Son of the
antichrist? Isn't that a contradiction and heresy?

Linguistically, there is a general misunderstand regarding the term
allaah (Allah), which is a proper name of a specific god and al-
'ilaah (the-god), which is a generic name, applicable both for false
gods and the true God. It takes a lot of study to be able to
distinguish between the similarities and the differences between
those two terms. It is a waste of time and energy to educate every
Christian to come to a place where s/he can understand the technical
difference. Wouldn't it be easier to just use the term al-`ilaah
which clear and undisputable and leave allaah to the Muslims?
Afterward, Allah has never been used in the original languages as
term for God, not even once. So why to bother?

In the Hebrew Bible, the word Allah (EaLlaaH) is explicitly used to
refer to oak trees. So why should we insist in using it and mixing
up our God's name with oaks? Wouldn't that cause a stumbling block
to Christians who try to study the Bible in Hebrew and where taught,
formerly or later, that Allah is God's name? Notice the fact that
both Hebrew and Arabic language are both from the same family
languages, both are Semitic.

Etymologically, the name of Allah has been originated and deeply
rooted in paganism and there is no clear evidence to link it to God
or one of his generic Semitic names. Why should we try to force it
to be so? Isn't that a twisting of truth and a rope that can be used
by other enemies of the Bible and its God to give them a chance to
accuse Christianity of being originated from paganism?

The biography of Muhammad, his life and circumstances, give us clear
evidence that Allah is a fabricated god, which was created according
to Muhammad's desires and molded in the form of the demonic spirits
that were possessing him. Allah is a mere idol like any other man
made idols, except it was not made out of material things, but out
of imaginations and ideas. Is God a man made god or is He the God
who made man? If He is our maker, so He can't possibly be a
creativeness of a hallucinated man.

Historically and according to its own law, Allah and it religion of
Islam have been a force of destruction and violence, throughout the
last 1400 years and continuing to do the same throughout the world.
Allah's entrance to the churches has been always a disaster and a
source of weakening. Wouldn't it be wise to at least try something
else and see what would happen?

Statistically, Allah is a too Islamic term. Its use has always
served Islam and Islam alone. It has never served the spread of
Christianity in the Muslim dominated world, but vise versa. Most, if
not all, of supposedly Christians, who converted to Islam, have been
thought by their church leaders that Allah is God. Separating Allah
from God, wouldn't it help many not to fall into the temptation of
looking for a `replacement' religion and turning to a substitute
rather that pressing on forward toward Jesus Christ, the only way,
the truth and the life, which they need?

In demonology, Allah and its number is key name to invoke while
calling upon demons. Its demonic attributes clearly show that the
person behind it is indeed the devil. The name Allah in itself is
strongly related to Satan, Haylel in the OT and Abaddon in the NT.
Such terms were and should never be used for God so does Allah,
which is just another masqueraded form of theirs. What would anyone
of us feel if a brother, a friend or a son would call us by the name
of an unclean animal or by an insult? Even if we foreknow that the
person didn't mean to offend and disrespect us, would we be happy
about it inside?

Technically, the use of Allah by both Christians and Muslims causes
cross communication and confusion among people and leads them to
fall into making false conclusions. Is it our role as Christians to
expose the devils schemes as the Bible (Eph.5:11) urges us or
tolerate and spread a lie among ourselves and others?

In evangelism and witnessing to Muslims, avoiding the use of the
name Allah is a wise tactic to indirectly and clearly communicate to
them that we do not worship the same God and that we do not
recognize their Allah as a true God. This tactic would help avoiding
some arguments over the issue from one side and perhaps raise
Muslims curiosity to ask why we don't use the term Allah from the
other.

Tactically, Christians have failed to evangelize the Muslim world
for centuries, especially because they were copying from their
style. Wouldn't be worth to try some new methods, one of them is by
using more specific, scientific and modern terminologies, which
differ from the Islamic ones and perhaps can be better and more
effective in communication and sharing the Gospel powerfully.
Replacing Allah by some other term can be one of the main most
powerful elements to improve our rational tactics to evangelize
Arabs and Muslims.

For converts from Islam to Christ and especially in defense of their
new faith, avoiding the term Allah can spare them from some troubles
and trials, explicitly vis-€ ¦à-vis the so called blasphemy laws. If
converts would deny that Jesus is the Son of Allah (the Muslims
god), they wouldn't be denying their faith but affirming it. Since
Allah is not the true God, so Jesus is not its son either. This kind
of tactic based on choosing their terminolgies very carefully is
very identical to what Jesus and the Apostles (i.e. Paul) used in
their self-defenses in front of the leaders and authorities. Such
tactic is actually hanging the enemy with its own rope. When a
convert confesses that He is a Christian and denies that Jesus is
the son of Allah, wouldn't he be shaking the foundations of the
Muslims beliefs beyond what they could expect and putting them
behind the bars as accusies and causing them embarrassment in front
of the audience? Lets also be aware that 3isa of the Quran is not
the same as Jesus Christ of the Bible. Besides, Jesus' name in
Arabic is Yasu3 (Yeshua/Iasous) , not 3isa (3esaw/Esau) which refers
to the patriarch of the Edomites.

Getting rid of the term Allah would cause absolutely no damage to
Christianity, but rather help refine at least one corner of the
Christian Church and clean it from traditions of men which have
sucked it into a long period of stagnation and deadliness. We are
totally convinced that such move can be a blessing to the Church and
a gain. Meanwhile, all the lost will be poured upon Islam by
isolating its god and therefore exposing its falsehood. This can be
a chance for us to effectively apply Jesus law of binding and
loosing (Mat.18:18) and a beginning to pull out weeds from the field
in preparation for the greatest ever harvest of souls among the
Muslims and Arabs so that many may come out from Satan's captivity
and become full members of His Kingdom (Mat.13:37-43) . It is all
gain for us, those whom have been called to be God's children and a
lose for the enemy, Islam and the demonic powers behind it! Amen

Revival According To The Beatitudes

I asked myself how could this apply to revival. So I started reading it from a revival perspective.

Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As I read this I thought, the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom, and seek first the kingdom. I thought to myself if we want the kingdom we have to see our spiritual poverty! We have to see our need for more! If we say we have been there and done that, we will never get more. Or, if we think we have arrived. We already got it we don't need to be desperate for more. Then we will never continue on to the more the Lord has for us. Eventually we will see even what we have to begin to wane and possibly even die out. I thought to myself many have experienced the kingdom of heaven right here on earth. They saw there poverty. They saw their need. They had a desperation that wasn't satisfied with anything less than His kingdom coming!!! I mean earth shaking REVIVAL!!! But since they experienced the kingdom they have now started to define themselves. Many say we are a River Church or whatever... Sounds harmless. But I want to be careful that by defining myself I don't lock myself into just being a River Church and not reaching my full potential in God!!! Once you arrive and start to define yourself, you could be in danger of boxing yourself into what you are. Wow!

Matthew 5:4 (KJV)
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Then as I read this I thought if we want the Comforter to come and comfort us we need to be broken. God is close to those that are broken. I also thought of travail. It is when Zion travails that souls are birthed into the kingdom. We must become broken and travail before God...

Matthew5:5 (KJV)
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Psalms 2:8 says that if we ask He will give us the nations! But we first have to be meek or humble to inherit the earth. God has told us what he requires of us; to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. It is interesting to look at those that God used in past revivals. God uses the foolish things of this earth to confound the wise! Many of these past leaders were nameless, faceless, unknowns! To keep revival you must stay nameless and faceless!!! Stay hid behind the Glory!!! Stay meek and humble!!!

Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

We have to have a hunger and thirst for the things of God. With out hunger or a desire for more we will never see more! When a people become satisfied they are doomed to stagnation! Their fruit will wither! What a tragedy!!!

Matthew 5:7 (KJV)
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

We have to sow mercy if we want mercy. The world needs to know that there is mercy in God. As we reach out to those that are outcasts or those that are rejected by society God will reach back to us. We reap what we sow! We need the mercy of God for a MIGHTY OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST!!! Not everyone that may come to our Churches are going to be dressed the way we may think they should or may not smell very well. But God still loves them and wants to touch their live too!

Matthew 5:8 (KJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

We have to have pure lives for God to send a MIGHTY OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST. Acts 5:32 says that God gives His Spirit to those that obey Him! Are you willing to obey Him no matter what! God is looking for those that are sold out! Those that are willing to be radical for Him! One of the most damaging things to happen to a Revival is for the ones God is using to have inconsistences in there purity!!! God give us more grace!!!!

Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

We have to be peacemakers. When revival comes if we are not peacemakers we will have a hard time with those that the enemy places against what God is doing! We are to follow after peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Through the Holy Ghost we have the Prince of Peace living on the in side of us. Christ in you the Hope of Glory. Those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God and the fruit of the Spirit is Peace... Choose now to live in peace and make yourself ready! God is on the move!!!

Matthew 5:10-12 (KJV)
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I was told by someone one time to never forget, that those that we consider to be giants of the faith today, were hated and despised by many when they were living! It wasn't until years after their death that they became considered great reformers and mighty men of God. Are you willing to go through persecution? Those that suffer with Christ will reign with Christ!!!
Just some thoughts...
Blessings, catcmo2006

Continuing in the Word of His Grace

Continuing in the Word of His Grace
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith . . . And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace. (Act_14:21-22; Act_20:32)
The Lord desires for us to continue in a growing relationship with Him, continuing to draw more and more upon His grace: "continue with the Lord . . . continue in the grace of God" (Act_11:23; Act_13:43). One vital aspect of this process is to be continuing in the word of His grace.
As Paul and his missionary team passed through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia), they urged the disciples there to "continue in the faith." "The faith" is often used in the scriptures to refer to the revealed truth of God (in which we are to place our faith). Jude wrote in this manner. "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jud_1:3). Thus, the word of God is "the faith." Consequently,
the call to "continue in the faith" was an exhortation to live by abiding in the word of God.
Later, when Paul was visiting the church leaders from Ephesus for the last time, he entrusted them unto the care of the Lord and His word. In doing this, he referred to the scriptures as "the word of His grace." Grace characterizes the word of God. Grace permeates the word of God. Grace flows from the word of God. It is in the scriptures that we learn of God's grace. There we learn of what it is (the Lord's undeserved riches, poured out freely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification) . There we learn of our great need for grace (a desperate, comprehensive, continual need). Also, in the word we learn of how we can access it (through humble dependence upon the Lord).
If we are going to continue in grace as the Lord desires, we must continue in the word of His grace. We will want to read it prayerfully day by day. We will want to study it regularly for increased understanding. We will want to meditate upon it often for growing implications and applications. Above all, we will want to be in the word consistently that we might get to know the Christ of the word. In knowing Him more, His mighty grace will properly impact our lives.

Continuing in the Word of His Grace

Continuing in the Word of His Grace
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith . . . And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace. (Act_14:21-22; Act_20:32)
The Lord desires for us to continue in a growing relationship with Him, continuing to draw more and more upon His grace: "continue with the Lord . . . continue in the grace of God" (Act_11:23; Act_13:43). One vital aspect of this process is to be continuing in the word of His grace.
As Paul and his missionary team passed through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia), they urged the disciples there to "continue in the faith." "The faith" is often used in the scriptures to refer to the revealed truth of God (in which we are to place our faith). Jude wrote in this manner. "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jud_1:3). Thus, the word of God is "the faith." Consequently,
the call to "continue in the faith" was an exhortation to live by abiding in the word of God.
Later, when Paul was visiting the church leaders from Ephesus for the last time, he entrusted them unto the care of the Lord and His word. In doing this, he referred to the scriptures as "the word of His grace." Grace characterizes the word of God. Grace permeates the word of God. Grace flows from the word of God. It is in the scriptures that we learn of God's grace. There we learn of what it is (the Lord's undeserved riches, poured out freely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification) . There we learn of our great need for grace (a desperate, comprehensive, continual need). Also, in the word we learn of how we can access it (through humble dependence upon the Lord).
If we are going to continue in grace as the Lord desires, we must continue in the word of His grace. We will want to read it prayerfully day by day. We will want to study it regularly for increased understanding. We will want to meditate upon it often for growing implications and applications. Above all, we will want to be in the word consistently that we might get to know the Christ of the word. In knowing Him more, His mighty grace will properly impact our lives.

A Pure heart, and how do we get one ?

Good question, think for a minute.

A PURE HEART, IS A HEART THAT HAS NO IMPURITIES,

NO NOT ONE ! PURE IS PURE ! A PURE HEART, IS A

HEART FULL OF THE ABUDANCE, THOUGHTS, AND

DESIRES OF EVERY PURE WORD OF GOD, FOR EVERY

WORD OF GOD IS PURE ! THY WORD O LORD, HAVE I

HID IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST

THEE ! AMEN !

A good place to start is to look around.

What do you see that you know brings you

closer to God ?

Your car, house, boat, garden, your position in

the office, your pc, your pets ? No ! ! !

But your relationship with these and all else

does. I think you see what I'm getting at here.

If you had none of the things that invade your

space and make you 'think' about going

to fellowship, rather than just going without

thinking it, do you believe your heart would be

renewed as you sit, stand, sing or Praise the

Name Of Christ ?

Would you begin to see a Pure Heart grow

within you ? My bet is a strong "Yes."

Think about this.....

You are late for work, the freeway is moving

ok, not great, but ok. You have your thing

together, and you are feeling good about

today. 'Listening to Praise and Worship,' or

Hosanna music in the car........suddenly someone

pulls right in front of you and cuts you

off. Do you become enraged? Do you spit a few

words off that you wouldn't use in public, and

then calm down and start singing with the

radio again? Do you begin to ask for

forgiveness, do you feel weird going back to

singing Praise after poison just came from your

mouth, or maybe ran through your thoughts ?

A right heart ? I don't think so.

Maybe that person on the freeway just lost a

mother to cancer, and is leaving the hospital

in tears and just barely is keeping it together.

How would you act in the same situation ?

Would you follow your heart? Is your heart

right enough to feel for that person? Maybe

they lost a child, or found out their husband

or wife is cheating and has just filed for

divorce after 2o years of marriage. Maybe they

were just reunited with a sister or brother

after 30 years and are so happy they can't

contain their joy.

No matter what, driving in this condition is not

safe, but a kind heart can make it safer, and

easier to forgive and understand.

Take a look around this week......

Begin to let God change your heart......let Him

show you how to let your children and wife

into that changing heart. How to look at the

person in the pew next to you as a valuable

friend, someone you have never hugged or

shaken hands with till now.

Help someone put groceries in the car at the

Supermarket. With God in your heart, no one

will fear you.

Purify the gifts that God has given you,

strengthen the talents that He has shown and

taught you to use.

I tell you these things from experience. I do

these things, and I am elated when I hear a

'Thank you so much,' or I see a smile that out

shines the noon sun. It is such a pleasure to

help others, and to know that God has given

me the heart that lets me push the flesh aside

and help a brother or a sister whom I have

never met, but still I also have a long walk

down this path, but what a joy to be on this

path

Seek and desire a pure heart. Seek and desire a

heart that does not care to be a part of that

which is of the flesh, unless the drive to

become pure requires that knowledge. A heart

that continually seeks the spiritual well

being and needs of others, and strives to help

meet those needs and minister to that well

being.

Think of this.....if every saved and spirit filled

heart on earth were combined as one, it would

still not attain the Pure Heart Christ had for

33 years of life, but He gave us the right to

obtain that purity. Grab it, let it be yours.

Seek God and His Son, for there are no other

riches worthy of ours or God's time beside His

Son and His compassion.

Then we become like Jesus, and we are the ones

who preach the Word-God's Son, Whom God sent

unto His children, even as Jesus, the Son of man

was. Acts 10:36 & 37.

Seek a Pure Heart.

FOR BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART,

fOR THEY SHALL SEE gOD ( MATTHEW 5; 8 ) !

(JOHN 1; 1) AND THE WORD IS GOD !

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART ( IN DESIRE )

THEY WHO DESIRE TO KNOW AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD,

FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD WHO IS THE WORD, FOR THEIR

UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD ( OF GOD ) SHALL BE

OPENED ( LUKE 24; 45 ) ! AND THE WORD, IS THE LIFE

THAT IS THE LIGHT WITHIN EVERY MAN ( JOHN 1; 1, 4, 9 ),

THE INWARD MAN OR CHRIST WITHIN, WITHIN US ALL !

THE PURE IN HEART SHALL SEE THE INWARD MAN FROM

ABOVE, WHO IS THE LIFE THAT IS THE LIGHT IN THEM, AND

ASLO FIND AND SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD ( OF THE WORD,

OF THE INWARD MAN ) THAT IS ALSO WITHIN THEM

( LUKE 17; 21 ) THAT WE ARE TO SEEK FIRST ABOVE AND

BEFORE ALL THINGS, KNOWING THAT HE WHO SEEKS,

WILL FIND ! AMEN AND AMEN !

No God ? No Peace !

Know God ! Know Peace !

i_amgodschild

10 Scriptural Confessions

10 Scriptural Confessions: 1) Colossians 1:13 - Who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into
the kingdom of His dear Son.


Confession: I walk in your Godly Kingdom today, for Jesus has
destroyed Satan's kingdom in my life. Satan, I command you to stop
your maneuvers in my life. I bind you and cast you out of my life
today. You cannot touch me. Jesus is Lord of my spirit, soul,
body, relationships, circumstances, finances and ministry. (Luke
10:19; I John 5:18)


2) 2 Corinthians 2:14 - Now thanks be unto God, which always
causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of
his knowledge by us in every place.


Confession: I walk in total triumph in every situation, for
Jesus has destroyed failure in my life. I am an overcomer and can
do all things through Christ. I have the victory and the victory
has me! I am a victor and a king! (Phil. 4:13; I John 5:4)


3) Ephesians 2:6 - And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.


Confession: I reign from my heavenly throne-room position, for
Jesus has destroyed an inferior position in my life. I rule and
reign with Jesus today. Greater is He that is in me, than he that
is in the world. Father, you are Lord of heaven and earth, and we
go out and possess the land today. Satan's doors are closed, and
many doors are open for me to speak Your Word boldly. (I John 4:4;
Luke 10:21; Josh. 1)


4) II Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


Confession: I walk in soundness of mind and divine direction,
for Jesus has destroyed confusion in my life. I identify with
Christ's mind. I have the mind of Christ. I will not listen to the
voice of doubt and discouragement. (I Cor. 2:16; John 10:5; Josh.1)


5) I Peter 2:24 - Who His own self bare our sins in His own body
on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.


Confession: I walk in divine health, for Jesus has conquered
sickness in my life. I walk in divine health and divine life,
because I have the divine nature. Jesus took all my sickness upon
His body, and by suffering, I am healed. Divine health pulsates
through every cell of my body everyday. Sickness and disease can
not, and will not latch itself to my body. (II Peter 1:4; Matt.
8:17)


6) Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


Confession: I walk in financial abundance . God supplies all
of my needs - not half of them - ALL of them. Satan, take your
hands off of my finances. Finances, I command you to be loosed from
the world system, and placed at my account today, so I can do the
work of the Lord.


7) Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to
heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised,


Confession: Father, your anointing is on me today. It breaks
yokes off the oppressed, causes blind eyes to see, deaf ears to
hear, hearts to open and understand. It causes the sick to be
healed, needs to be met, and it draws full attention to Your Word.
Father, Your Word is alive in me today! Revelation knowledge flows
out of me every day. I operate in the gifts of the Spirit as the
Spirit wills today. (Isaiah 61; I Cor. 12)


8) Psalm 91:7 - A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.


Confession: I walk in safety and supernatural protection
today. Even though a thousand fall at my side and ten thousand at
my right hand, it shall not come near me. No weapon that the enemy
forms against me today shall prosper. Nothing shall by any means
hurt me today. (Isaiah 54:17; Luke 10:19)


9) I Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for
you.


Confession: I walk in faith today, for Jesus has taken away
fear and doubt in my life. Fear will not rule me - Faith Will!
Whatever is not of faith is sin, so I speak words of life. Today, I
cast all my cares on Christ today. I will go throughout my day
worry free. I choose to meditate on the promises, and not the
problem. As I cast my cares on Christ today I will magnify God's
Word in all that I do.


10) John 6:63 - It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life.


Confession: I will speak life today for Jesus has destroyed a
murmuring and complaining tongue in my life. My tongue will speak
forth words of life today. My words will produce spiritual life in
the hearts of men and women


cclose1944e

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Lesson Four: How to Interpret the Bible
The study of the 'rules' of Bible interpretation is called hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is the science of Bible interpretation. This strange theological term comes from the Greek word hermeneuo which means TO INTERPRET OR EXPLAIN. The reason for studying the Bible is to properly interpret what God is saying to us.
Two other technical terms are important here. Bible scholars often refer to the 'exegesis' of Scripture, which means allowing the truth to come out of the text without the filter of our own ideas. The word "exegesis" is also derived from a Greek word, which means "explanation " or "to lead OUT of." This means we approach to the Scriptures to learn what they say and mean, not to prove our own point.
The opposite term is "eisogesis" which is from a Greek word meaning "to read INTO". This is probably the most common (and dangerous) error of casual Bible students. It is even the error of many well-known television evangelists. This means that a person approaches the Scripture with a pre-conceived idea and uses the Scripture to prove their point, even if the Scriptures have to be "bent" to make them fit.
What we mean by Bible interpretation is the correct meaning of the passage as it was intended by the original author. In other words, we must allow the Bible to speak for itself. While this sounds simple, we must realize that we all have some pre-conceived ideas and that we must work carefully to see that we arrive at the Truth instead of seeking to prove that we are right. We must seek to understand what the original author had in mind--in his context of life and history.
The eighteenth century scholar J. A. Ernesti set the stage for what we call today "rules of Bible interpretation." For Ernesti, a correct understanding of the Bible mean discovering (1) the use of words, (2) the historical circumstances controlling their usage, and (3) the intention of the author strictly governed by his own words. (See Toward an Exegetical Theology, by Walter C. Kaiser.)
Rules of Bible interpretation:
(1) We must interpret the Bible in the light of its LANGUAGE AND HISTORY.
Language, or 'literary setting,' means that language has different meanings in different social, historical, and cultural settings. We must know what Bible words meant to the writers of the Bible. Understanding something of the meaning of the original languages is necessary for correct Bible interpretation, although you should also know that no new or novel doctrines are hidden in the Greek and Hebrew.
Second, "historical setting" means the time and place when a passage of the Bible was written.
This first rule brings up the need for Bible dictionaries and commentaries. They are helpful in obtaining background material as to the culture, setting and the history of the passage in question.
Some examples of how to apply this rule.
(a) Read carefully 2 Corinthians 12:2. What is the third heaven? The Mormons build a whole doctrine of levels of eternal reward based on this verse. But if you just understood something of ancient astronomy, you would know that the first heaven was the sky and clouds, the second heaven was the realm of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars), and the "third" heaven, beyond the sun, moon and stars, was the realm of God. The third heaven is paradise, which Paul indicates in verse 4.
(b) Mark 1:1-21. Why did the disciples so quickly and readily leave everything and follow Jesus? Because they were so committed to him? No. Israel was under the iron yoke of Roman domination and occupation and everyone was expecting the Messiah who would liberate Palestine and rule the world. The disciples probably followed Jesus for very selfish reasons. Even later they were arguing over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom, and who would sit at the right hand of the throne of the Messiah!
(2) We must interpret Scripture by Scripture
In other words, the whole Bible must speak for itself. We cannot build doctrines on isolated portions of Scriptures. It’s easy to quote individual Bible verses to prove your point. It is a much greater challenge to see how individual verses fit into the whole picture.
Examples:
(a) Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins? Yes, by itself. But many other passages about water baptism in the Bible make it clear that baptism is necessary for discipleship and Christian growth, but it is not necessary to get into heaven.
(b) Does James 2:24 teach that works are necessary for salvation? Yes, by itself. But James 2:24 must be understood in the larger context of New Testament grace.
(3) Individual verses of the Bible must be understood in the context of OTHER VERSES IN THAT PASSAGE.
Two examples which will probably ruffle your feathers are;
(a) Matthew 24:40-41 says, "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." Does this sound like the rapture? It has been used that way for years. But look again at the verses ahead of these famous words. See verses 36 - 39, especially 39. In 39, who is taken away, the righteous or the unrighteous? And who is left? Read carefully. The rules of language apply to Scripture and dare not be bent or ignored. Just because it does not fit with what we want it to say, we must take it for what it does say.
(b) Romans 10:17 is not about building your faith by hearing the word, even though it is used by many preachers to "prove" just that. This verse is about salvation. In other words, faith in Christ unto salvation comes by hearing the Word. Just look at the context!
(An old proverb used in Bible School - "Text, without context, is pretext.")
(4) Each passage of scripture has one INTERPRETATION, many APPLICATIONS.
Interpretation is WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS. The "literal" meaning of each passage of the Bible understood on the basis of the rule of interpretation, must be our starting point for applying the Bible to our daily lives.
Application is WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS TO ME. One of the great Bible scholars of this century, F. F Bruce, wrote, "The place of the Bible in the life of the church has constantly added to it a wealth of fresh and practical meaning which the interpreter cannot ignore."
(5) We cannot build major Doctrines on isolated or unclear verses of the Bible.
Passages of Scripture in which a doctrine is merely touched on must be interpreted by those passages where a doctrine is expressly taught. An example is 1Corinthians 11:6. Another example is the idea that the gifts of the Spirit "died out" with the Apostles. There is no Bible verse in the New Testament that teaches this very popular idea, even though some preach it as a fact.
(6) In most cases, like the rest of the Bible, parables have ONE BASIC MEANING.
A more contemporary example is Aesop's fable of the fox and the grapes. You know the story. Is the lesson, or the moral of the story, that foxes actually eat grapes? No. That's just part of the story to illustrate a single moral principle. If you focus on whether or not foxes actually eat grapes you miss the whole point of the story.
Just so with the parables in the Bible. The parable of the ten virgins is a Biblical example. The parable is full of unique symbolism: the number ten, virgins, lamps, oil. But the whole point of the story is that we should "watch" or "be spiritual alert." Whatever else all the symbols mean is not clear, and to start building doctrines on this parable (like a doctrine of a partial rapture) is theological thin ice.
(7) Two guard rails along the highway of correct Bible interpretation: THE HOLY SPIRIT and THE CHRlSTIAN COMMUNITY.
We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, but this does not mean we don't need other Christians, especially well equipped and informed Bible teachers. And we have the established, historical teachings of the Church, but this does not mean we don't need the Holy Spirit!
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