There is No "I" in Christianity (Part 2)

Read part 1 here

No really, there isn’t any “I’s” in Christianity.  One of the first facets of Christianity in which the “I” becomes destructive is Ideas.  A few months ago, I posted an article from another source on Facebook that discussed the drinking of alcohol.  There was nothing in the article that was condemning, it was simply one that I agreed with on why I do not drink, it simply was one of perspective and readily admitted that the Bible was not explicitly clear about the guidelines and was simply based on principles.  Within minutes, I received a response that began with “I think…”  Another argument that has seen a rise within church circles is the acceptance of homosexual marriage.  In support of homosexual marriage, one common defense of it is “I think…”   I wonder how many debates within the church could easily be dissolved if we quit using the words “I think?”

                We have become accustomed to selectivity when it comes to our understanding of the Bible.  Like a kid in the candy store, we pick what we like and leave behind what we don’t.  Yet Paul tells Timothy:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16, New American Standard).

 Notice that Paul did not say some, he said “ALL.”  Keep in mind the context of the Apostle Paul at the time of this writing.  At the time of this writing, the Scripture in which he refers to is the Old Testament.  Just think how quick so many rule out the Old Testament in their own beliefs. 

                Modern day Christianity has become selective Christianity.  In the very same context of his letter to Timothy concerning the entirety of Scripture, Paul warned Timothy about this:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (II Timothy 4:4-5, NASB)

                Did you notice how many “I’s were in those two verses?  I could be broken down this way:

                “Wanting to have their ears tickled” – How can I feel good?

                “They will accumulate teachers” – Who I want to hear?

“Their own desires” – What I want to believe?

                It is not a matter of what we want the Bible to say or what we think the Bible should say, it is a matter of “what does the Bible say?”  When establishing what the Bible says, there are two key elements to consider: context and consistency.  The Bereans in Acts 17:11 serve as a prime example of our attitude to the Word of God:

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11, NASB)

The searched the Scriptures daily to make sure that what Paul preached was there.  In recent days I have been following a debate over translations.  During the debate, one particular individual misused Psalms 12:6,7 in support of his King James only stance.  While I applaud those who prefer their steadfast commitment to the King James Version, the particular usage of this passage underlines a greater problem within the church: the abuse of Scripture out of context.  This is the passage

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.. (Psalms 12:6,7, KJV)

                Viewing these verses in the context of Psalms 12, it is important to understand that the phrase “thou shalt preserve them” is not in fact speaking of “The Words of the Lord” but is actually speaking of the peoples mentioned in verse 5.  The misuse of Scripture is commonplace throughout society.  It has been misused in both church circles and secular circles.  Most often, they are used to support one’s idea, but the Bible is not intended to be used in such a way.  It is about God’s truth.  One other aspect about the misuse of Scriptural references is consistency.  Whatever one determines to be God’s truth, it must be consistent with the rest of Scriptures.  The Bible neither refutes itself nor does it contradict itself. 

                We have the tendency to let our own ideas stand in the way of what God really means and desires for us.  In doing so, we basically say, I am not going to follow Christ His way by my way.  That is akin to saying that God’s way is not correct.  It is an attitude of individualism, No really, it is not about us, it is about Him. 

(To be continued)