The concept of “biblical inerrancy” is very important to those who do not actually possess a relationship with the Lord God through Lord Jesus Christ. These people feel the need to build philosophies from the Bible and call themselves special, because they want to believe they were chosen by God before they were born and, therefore, irrespective of what they do, they are saved from eternal damnation—a subject which they delight in preaching about; rather than the love of God, and the fact every one has been given a freewill to choose between life and death.
- I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose …. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
- You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39-40)
Charles Finney was a Calvinist. But he discovered that by studying Calvinist dogma (manmade philosophy) this did not give him the peace of God that he sought. Besides he was coming to realize that much of the Calvinists’ teachings were the domain of hypocrites, who liked to make themselves look righteous through good works, in an attempt to show other people that they were saved, when they were not.
Charles Finney decided to actually seek God himself. As a result of his earnestness and genuineness of heart, Lord Jesus Christ looked upon him and obviously liked what he saw. Charles Finney, a lawyer, wanted to enter God’s rest.
- Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the Word of God {Lord Jesus Christ] is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:11-13)
In Christianity Today, an article entitled Charles Finney: Bold Revivalist with New Ideas, states: “Many in the established churches didn't care for Finney's methods and beliefs. He taught that people could decide whether or not to believe in Jesus.”
- There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. (John 1:6-7)
Charles Finney became a witness himself of the goodness of God, having received the power of the Holy Spirit. When we have received the Spirit of God, then we are informed that He will guide us and teach us all truth. Up until such time the Bible could very well be a dead letter and just another book that people argue about concerning its historical validity. When a person receives the Holy Spirit, the Bible suddenly takes on a new dimension, because what is found therein actually begins to make sense—irrespective of which translation is read, as long as it is true to the message of the ancient copies.
- But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me. (John 15:26)
- When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-15)
The dogma of “biblical inerrancy” is particularly important for those who do not know Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Like atheists and those who possess a doctrinaire mindset—based upon an assumption—these false beliefs are required to support their worldview, otherwise their belief system falls apart.
Experiential knowledge is a different matter. Experiential knowledge requires a total commitment. An example being the knowledge of a spectator compared to that of a successful participant in the sports arena. One thinks he knows, whereas, the other, knows she knows, and can demonstrate this in her actions. This is analogous to faith that is not active and faith that is active. The latter wins the day.
Those who claim “what they have not got” are always found wanting, and are like balloons that have been pricked, really—an ego ready to be deflated by reality. Or maybe a more appropriate metaphor would be: like lightning falling to the ground, the light was nothing but a flash disappearing into the darkness of the night.
The Bible has ample instructions for people to follow, if they truly desire to prove for themselves the authenticity of its claims. Attempting to justify the Bible’s historical reliability in order to win an argument or support one’s own belief system is of no real value. For the truth is that once a person has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the joy of salvation, the proof exists within, and there is no need to argue from a historical perspective. What people want to see is whether a person has been transformed and the fruit of the Spirit are being brought forth.
For myself, what people believe in respect to the Bible is a non-issue. As far as I am concerned, it has become a text book on how to enjoy the favor of God. Therefore, I acknowledge what is stated within as being reliable in respect to understanding what God requires. Moreover, as I look into the historical witness, I am amazed at its authenticity, due to the archaeological finds that corroborate the Bible as an accurate historical text. The ignorati, of course, blather on.
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