HERMENEUTICS

HERMENEUTICS

1) 2 Tim. 2:15- “Do your best”---"rightly divide"- ( handle, expound ) the word of God’’

Gk. ortho-to-meo - To cut strait, to rightly deal with a thing. Not to separate scripture from scripture but to handle and teach scripture accurately.                       

2) Lk. 24:27- “He explained to them”---“in all the scriptures”…

Gk. di-re-men-euo – A strengthened form of hermeneuo,
signifies to interpret fully, to explain.                                                                                                      
Gk. her-men-euo – (3 verb forms ) her-men-eia –
(3 noun forms ) occur 19 times in the New Testament, mostly used in the sense of translation (from another language).

Derived from Hermes the Greek name for the pagan god Mercury,
 the messenger of  the  gods.

3) Hermeneutics- In the broad definition of the term means the interpretation

 and understanding of any act of communication whether written, oral,

 verbal or non verbal (such as symbols or symbolic acts). Biblical Hermeneutics
 deals specifically with the interpreting of scripture in order to gain a correct 
understanding of the text, and the making of proper applications of those interpretations.

4) 1 Pet.3:15- “ Be ready to give an answer to every man for the hope that is in you”…

 Gk. apologia- answer for self, clearing of self, defense. The English word

  “apologetics”* is derived from this word.                                                                                       *Without a good understanding of Gods word, we cannot give a good defense of or a good explanation for our faith. Hermeneutics is the primary tool for developing
a sound apologetic as well as an enlightened and effective Christen life.

5) 2Tim.3:14-17- We like Timothy are admonished to continue in the study and the use of the scriptures. Because “All scripture is inspired* by God”--- it gives wisdom, is profitable, makes us adequate and equipped for every good work. 

 Gk. theo-pneu-stos- divinely breathed in.*

*The Holy Spirit of God is the author of scripture.

6) 2Pet.1:20+21 – In the light of these truths we can apply the following principles--- 

 Every child of God must read the Bible. (in order to know God’s truth)

 Every child of God can understand the Bible. (through the Holy Spirit)

Every child of God should be ready to give an answer for his faith and 

the hope that is in them (through an understanding of the truths in God’s

 word)


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NECESSITIES OF HERMENEUTICS                                                                                                                                             

In order to properly understand and interpret the Bible, there must be:

 Consistent basis of authority—the Bible, (2Tim.3:16+17).

 Consistent method of interpreting this authority. (2Tim.2:15).

 The illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, (Jn.16:12-15).     

Note: A word of caution; we are stewards of the “mysteries of God” (1Cor.4:1).

An awesome privilege and responsibility. Illumination does  not  mean;  

             a a)  Ones interpretations are infallable. (Only the original writings are).
 a b)  Some interpreters receive interpretations that are different from the

        normal literal meaning of a passage (contrary to normal understanding).

             a c)  A carnal Christian will be able to interpret scripture accurately

               (he is susceptible to error, due to the fact that his heart and mind are 
               not in harmony with the Holy Spirit).

                                                                           

SCRIPTURAL SUMMARY: 1Cor. 2:9-3:3- “As it is written”--- The Bible is 
the final word on authority, all of our understanding of spiritual truths must
 conform to scripture. 
                                  

 vv. 10+11- “to us God revealed them through the Spirit”---“We” (the chosen of God- see 1:26+27) are guided by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. The “Spirit of God” knows and reveals to us the very thoughts of God.   
Note: The Holy Spirit is Omniscient, co-equally with God ; (3^rd pers. = 1^st pers.). 
Principle - God interprets God, therefore; the Bible (authored by God) interprets the Bible.

vv. 12+13- “We have received--- the Spirit who is from God”…

vs.14- “natural man”  Gk.- psuchikos - Soulish (as pertaining to the lower part of the immaterial in man), the man in Adam.

vs.15- “he who is spiritual”  Gk.- pneumatikos - “According to the scriptures, the ‘spiritual’ state of the soul is normal for the believer, but to this state all believers do not attain, nor when it is attained is it always maintained.” (“An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” by W.E. Vine). i.e.- the carnal or backslidden Christian.

vs.16-“we have the mind of Christ”- which knows the mind of  “The LORD” (Is.40:13)

Heb.-Yehovah - God--- Note: Jesus Christ is Omniscient, co-equally with  God

the Father and the Holy Spirit; (2^nd pers = 1^st pers = 3^rd pers).               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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Scriptural Summary: 1Cor.3:1-3- “men of flesh” (the Carnal Christian) Gk. sarkinos- similar to the flesh by analogy. 
“babes in Christ” Gk. nepios- a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.

vs.2- “milk--- not solid food (meat)---not---able to receive it”…

vs.3-“walking like mere men…” (NASB) Gk. sarkikos - unregenerate.

                                                                                                              

CONSIDERATIONS FOR GOOD HERMENEUTICAL  METHODOLOGY

1) Scripture Interprets Scripture- The Holy Spirit authored scripture, the Holy Spirit illuminates scripture. Always compare scripture with scripture.

2)       Exegesis vs. Eisegesis- Ex = out of / Eis = into; Exegesis  > to lead out of a text. The systematic way of interpreting a text, considering culture, history, and context. Eisegesis is to read into a text something that is not already in the text. Eisegesis is error and is to be avoided.

 3)       Grammatical Considerations- The meaning of words (lexicology), the origin of words (etymology), the form and function of words (morphology), the relationship of words (syntax).

4)  Context- “ A text out of context is a pretext” (a contrived excuse for an explanation to disguise a lack of real understanding). 
MYTH : “ Any one can make the Bible say anything they want it to”.  
FACT: One must ignore the context of a given passage in order to manipulate it to say what was not intended.   Example: “The Bible promotes suicide” Mat. 27:5 “ he- went and hanged himself ” ; Lk. 10:37 “Go, and do the same”…

5) Original Language- The Bible was written in three ancient languages---

     Hebrew: Almost the entire Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew, a language that went out of use as a spoken tongue for almost two thousand years.         

     Aramaic: Portions of the book of Daniel and a few quotations and colloquialisms throughout the rest of scripture were originally written in this ancient Armenian- Semitic language. It was the commonly spoken language by peoples throughout Southwest Asia from 700 BC to 700 AD .

     Greek: The New Testament was written almost completely in a form of the Greek language that was not understood completely by scholars until the dawn of the 20^th century. It is known as “koine” or “common” Greek.

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HERMENEUTICAL   METHODOLOGY

 6) Literary Style- The Bible contains at least four distinct literary styles, which must be considered.

a) Narrative: The Pentateuch, historical books, Gospel accounts, Acts.

b) Poetry: Job through Song of Solomon.

    c) Prophecy: Major and Minor Prophets, Revelation. 

       (some estimate that approximately 25% of the entire bible has 

       prophetic implications)
    d) Didactic (teaching): The Epistles.

7) Literary Nature- The Bible employs many literary devices and figures of speech.

 This in no way justifies the practice of "spiritualizing" a text.
 A literal meaning is always behind a figure of speech.

 a)      Literal: Words retain the meaning that they would have in normal grammatical usage, Acts.

 b)      Allegory: Each literal character, object, and event represents a symbol illustrating an idea or moral or religious principle. Paul’s writings contain many allegories, Eph.6:11-17; 1Cor.10:1-4; Gal.4:21-31. According to traditional Jewish and Christian interpretation the entire book of Song of Solomon is an allegory: of God and His wife (Israel), or of Christ and His Bride (the Church).

 c)      Parables: A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson, Matt. chapter 13.

 d)     Metaphors: One object is likened to another by speaking of it as if it were that other object, 2Cor.3:2,3; Jas.3:6. (anthropomorphism, anthropopathism-action, emotion)

 e)      Similes: Two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced, by like or as. Mat.20:1; Jas.1:6.

 f)       Hyperbole: An exaggeration or extravagant statement used for added emphasis, Jn. 21:25; 2Cor.3:2; Col.1:23; Jer.9:1.

 g)      Satire: Human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, sarcasm, or wit,  Mat.19:24; 23:24; 1Kin.18:27.

 h)      General and Universal statements: Distinction must be maintained between general guidance (aphorism) and universal assurances (axiom). The book of Proverbs is illustrative of this important principle, Prov.16:7 vs. Acts14:19; Prov.22:6 vs. / the sons of Eli and the sons of David. Wisdom literature such as proverbs does not present contradiction, though they may seem to conflict with particular personal experience, because the intention is to relate general principles that apply in general ways, but allowing for individual exceptions.    
  
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                                             METHODOLOGY

 *Some other figures of speech used in the Bible:

*1. Personification: Attributing of life or humanness to inanimate objects or

abstract ideas, Num.16:32.

*2. Apostrophe: Addressing as living the inanimate object or 

 abstract idea, 1Cor.15:55.

*3. Fable: Extended personification which becomes a complete story, 2Kgs.14:8-10.

*4. Metonymy: Substitution of one word for another closely associated 

*5. Synecdoche: Part stands for the whole or vice-versa, Ps.90:17

with it or suggested by it, (i.e. sword used for punishment) Ro.13:4. 

*6. Riddle: A story designed to puzzle the hearer, Judg.14:14.

*7. Enigma: A perplexing, usually ambiguous , statement; a riddle. A baffling

 seemingly inexplicable matter, person, etc. Eccl.12: 2-5.  

                                                                                                                                                                   

 8) Identity and Purpose of the Author

Wherever possible the author of each book should be considered to help with 

      understanding. Also, consider the reason for writing the passage under scrutiny.

          a) Cultural setting- transcultural norm or custom?

          b) Political setting- theonomy, autonomy, heteronomy?

     c) Social setting- free or conquered subjects?

          d) Religious setting- which dispensation?

          e) Geographical setting- home or other?

          f) Particular problem- rebellion, error, apostasy?

9) Some Further Guidelines- Laws to keep in mind---

         a) Law of First mention: When considering a given topic 
          it is helpful to research the first time the subject appears;
          in scripture as a whole, in the particular book, and by 
          the particular author. c.f. Gen.3:15 

             “The Protoevangelium” (1st. mention of the gospel).

          b) Law of Non Contradiction: No interpretation, if correct,

         will ever contradict the rest of scripture.

     c) Clear Passage Takes Precedence over Vague Passage: 
         If seem to be in conflict. 

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MORE METHODOLOGY

d)     Law of Germinant Fulfillment of Prophecy: Later revelation explains and clarifies earlier revelation(Dan.9:1;24-27; Mt.24:2-31; Rev.6:1-19:21). Progressive revelation: more information is added progressively over time (Gen.15:18-21; 17:8; 50:24; Ex.6:8;Lev.20:24; Deut.6:10-19; 31:20; 29:1-30:10).

     Prophecy can have multiple fulfillment immediate, near future, 

    distant future, Isa.9:6-7.                     

    Prophecy may have two fulfillments. This is known as “duel fulfillment,”

    II San7:12- 14a  (Solomon and Jesus), Isa.7:14. Also, a prophecy may 

    have only one fulfillment, Zech.6:12-13, King / Priest Jesus Christ. 

           Prophecy can be fulfilled by “types” e.g. Mal.4;5; Mat.17:11-13.

      e) Types: An Old Testament prophetic symbol, which prefigures a New

          Testament truth. A type will always refer to a future antitype (the person

          or thing represented or foreshadowed by an earlier type or symbol), 

          (Mt.12:40; Lk.24:13-27; Jn.5:39).

f) Symbols: Objects used to represent Biblical truth.

1)     Determine the meaning from the context, sometimes the meaning 

     will be innate (clearly stated) i.e. Rev.6, sometimes 

     inferred (Num.21:9), sometimes explained in a later passage in the

     context (Dan.7).

2)     May be different in different contexts; i.e. compare Lion: Gen.49:9 = Christ, 1Pet.5:8 = Satan.

3)      The same truth may be depicted by different symbols, i.e. the Holy Spirit- dove, seal, oil, fire, water, wind.

4)     Colors may be symbolic- Red = sin (Is.1:18), redemption (Heb.9:22), warfare (Rev.6). White = purity / righteousness (Is.1:18), glory (Mt.17:2), false peace (Rev.6:2), true peace (Rev.19:11).

5)     Metals- Gold = deity, splendor of God; Silver = redemption, medium of exchange; Bronze or Brass = judgement; Iron = strength, durability.

6)    Numbers- Caution is advised when applying symbolic meaning to
numbers in scripture. Here are some suggestions for 
Symbolic Numbers in the Bible: 1- singleness, unity; 
2- division, separation, contrast, witness; 3- deity, trinity; 
4- creation, earth, world; 5-grace; 6- man, physicality; 
7- completion, perfection;8 new beginnings;10- Law; 12- election; 
40- probation, testing, divine judgement; 70- divine administration. 

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

 1)    Consider the literary nature of the passage.

 2)   Consider the political, social religious, and/or geographical features of 
        the passage.

 3)   Consider the cultural circumstances. For it’s time only or transcultural?

 4)     Consider the person speaking .

 5)      Distinguish between what the scriptures approve or teach and what
  they simply record.

 6)     Consider the purpose of each book.

 7)     Consider the people, peoples, or class of people being addressed.

 8)      Interpret obscure passages in light of plain.

 9)      Interpret seemingly contradictory passages in harmony with each other
    and the rest of scripture.

 10)   Consider and compare parallel passages.

 11)   Interpret with a clear consideration of the context.

 12)   Interpret the meaning of Biblical words in the light of their linguistic,
        cultural, and historical background (usage by the Biblical writer 
        and etymology).

 13)    Interpret in light of Hebrew and Greek syntax.

 14)   Consider the historical perspective of the passage (how have others
      in church history understood the passage?).

 15)   Interpret according to the primary meaning of a passage and then make
      legitimate application (a passage will have only one basic meaning 
     but may have many applications).

16)    Possible applications include: practical, moral, ethical, spiritual, anagogic 

  (concerning the afterlife, heaven, the unseen realm, the immortal soul, etc.), 

  prophetic (types, pictures, foreshadows, parallels, partial fulfillment, etc).

                                                                                                                   

What can Satan do to Saints ?

What can Satan do to Saints ?

1. He tempts them to lie. Acts 5:3 - But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?

2. He accuses and slanders them. Rev. 12:10 - Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

3. He hinders their work. I Thes. 2:18 - For we wanted to come to you-- I, Paul, more than once-- and yet Satan hindered us.

4. He employs demons to attempt to defeat them. Eph. 6:11-12 -Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

5. He tempts to immorality. I Cor. 7:5 - Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6. He sows tares among believers. Matt. 13:38-39 - The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

7. He incites persecutions against them. Rev.2:10 - 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

What can demons do ?

1. They attempt to thwart the purposes of God. Dan. 10:10-14 - A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

Rev. 16:13-16 - Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

2. They extend the authority of Satan by doing his bidding. Eph. 6:11-12  - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

3. They may be used by God in carrying out of His purposes.

 I Sam.16:14 - Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.

II Cor. 12:7 - Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!

4. They can inflict diseases. Matt. 9:33 - After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."

Lk. 13:11 - He saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight

5. They can possess men. Matt. 4:24 - News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed--he healed them all.

6. They can possess animals. Mk. 5:13 - So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

7. They oppose the spiritual growth of God’s children. Eph. 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

8. They spread false doctrine. I Tim.4:1 - But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

What defense does a believer have against Satan and demons ?

1. The present intercessory work of Christ. Jn. 17:15 - "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.”

2. The purpose of God may include using Satan for beneficial purposes in the life of the Christian. II Cor. 12:7 - To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

3. The Christian should never speak to Satan contemptuously.

Jude 8-9 - In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

4. The believer should be on guard. I Pet. 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

5. The believer should take a stand against Satan. Jas. 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

6. The believer should use his armor. Eph. 6:11-18 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This study is taken from “The Ryrie Study Bible” A synopsis of Bible Doctrine: “The doctrine of Satan” and “The doctrine of demons.”

 Let's make personal application.

Luke 22:31-32 - “Simon, Simon (your name here...), behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Def: demanded – Gk. ἑξῃτήσατο – exaitaesato, from

ex-ahee-teh-om-ahee - ἑξαιτἑομαι; “To demand the surrender of for trial.”

Satan has the right to bring the sin and evil in men to light before God.

Rev.12:10; Job 1:6-11; Zech. 3:1-2

He is “the Accuser” – Gk. κατηγορος – kat-ay-gor-os; “a complaint at law against one in the assembly.”

He is the agent of sifting – Mk. 3:12 - He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire."

Only Jesus can defeat Satan and his work. I Jn. 3:8 - The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Trust The Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today.

Grace and Faith --- Works and Faith

š  Grace and Faith   U   Works and Faith  ›

Eph. 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Grace: The word grace when used in the theological sense means; the

unmerited love and favor of God toward mankind. Notice the two key factors in the definition. 1) It is unmerited, i.e. not based on anything to do with the recipient’s worthiness. 2) It is universally offered to all mankind. Titus 2:11 -  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world þ that He gave His only begotten Son U, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

§  Throughout Church history, distinctions within the concept of Grace have been defined, dissected and analyzed. As new concepts and theories were introduced into the Church the use of the term Grace and it’s meaning has become somewhat clouded and can be confusing. So let’s review some of the major concepts and distinctions.

Common Grace: God’s general care and provision for His entire

creation and for all of its creatures, His evenhanded dealing with all men. Matt 5:45 – “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise ® on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain Û on the just and on the unjust.”

Prevenient Grace: This is the grace of God that is active in the hearts of

all men. It precedes salvation. It is the work of the Holy Spirit ÿ, which enables lost and rebellious men to see their lost condition and to recognize the power of God to save.

           Prevenient Grace enlightens, empowers, quickens and assists the heart of man to respond to God, but it does not force anyone to respond or to repent. It can be suppressed and ignored.

Heb 3:7-8- So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear OHis voice, do not harden your hearts  Y as you did in the rebellion”

Ps 27:8 – “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

Rom 1:19-20 – “what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Rev 3:20: (Jesus says)  “Here I am! I stand at the door ¼ and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Sufficient Grace: This term is used to describe the concept of the fully

capable Grace of God, which is able to do all that it was intended to do, including provide for the salvation of all men. But it does not always accomplish what God has enabled it to do because, God’s has designed and ordained that men have actual free will which means that God’s Grace can be resisted and refused.  

Acts 7:51 - "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” Also Lk.7:30.

Ezek 18:32 - For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”

            Lam 3:33 – “For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to the children of men.”

1 Tim 2:3-4 – “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Combined with; James 4:17 - “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” And; James 1:13-14 – Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Efficacious Grace: This concept is that God overrules any resistance to

His will and forces His grace upon the unwilling. He invades and alters the heart, causing His purpose to be inevitably fulfilled. This very concept is a contradiction in terms. Nothing that is forced upon an unwilling individual can be gracious. It may be salutary, but it can not be gracious. Grace requires consideration, thoughtfulness and the willing cooperation of both parties.

The problem with theological error is that it always gives rise to more error in an attempt to justify itself. A major heresy that has been birthed out of this confused concept is the teaching that God withholds His grace from most of mankind for no other reason than He is God and He can do as He pleases, He is sovereign. This is a perversion of what the actual sovereignty of God means. God has sovereignly ordained that all men be given the free choice to receive His grace or to reject it.

In a real sense God’s Grace is actually always efficacious. Not in the perverted way described, but in a truly gracious way. His will is that all men must choose for themselves whether to receive or reject His grace, and He has ordained that their choice be honored. The efficacious grace of God can be positive or negative. It provides for mercy or for righteous judgement.

Irresistible Grace: This phrase is another misnomer, an oxymoron. It is

very similar to the previous error, but it has its own unique ramifications.

The proposition is that anyone who is exposed to God’s grace must willingly receive it because it is irresistible. This idea frustrates any and all evangelical presentation of the gospel and removes the power of salvation from the word of God. All personal responsibility for repentance before God is removed.

Rom. 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

This paradoxical phrase, irresistible grace, and the dreadful implications it places upon the character of God, is part of the convoluted web of confusion that has come to be known as the five points of Calvinism, the TULIP principles.

Each petal on this deadly flower leads to a step away from the true grace of God and is built upon a preceding error. This one, the “I” principle steps off into absurdity from the previous abomination, the “L” of Limited Atonement, which is an outright lie and is in direct contradiction to the clear teaching of the word of God.

Heb 2:9 – “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

   The atonement of Christ is not limited in its capacity in any way. He died to save all men and He is able to do so. He offers forgiveness to everyone, but He will not force His loving grace upon anyone.

1 Tim 2:5-6 - “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.”

John 6:51 – “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

1 John 2:2 – “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Actual Grace: The concept of actual grace comes down to us from

the Roman Catholic Church. The idea is that God in His marvelous grace provides for His children special grace during times of particular difficulty in order to perform a particular act or to endure a particularly difficult trial.

2 Cor 12:9 -"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

The modern understanding of this aspect of God’s grace is that God will provide His grace when it is needed, He does not give you tomorrow’s grace today, but when you need it He will supply it.

Cooperating Grace: From classical theology, the concept that God in

His gracious dealings with His child, that being a person already saved, works with him in order to strengthen his faith. God allows the individual to take the lead and then He cooperates with him to encourage him.

Jdgs.6:36-40 – Gideon’s fleece is an example of God’s forbearance and grace.

Matt 14:28-29 – And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Sanctifying Grace:    In Roman Catholic teaching, it is a supernatural and   

           permanently infused quality into a soul, which enables the soul to  

           exercise the supernatural the virtues of faith hope and charity.

In Protestant theology, it refers to the transforming power of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Sanctifying grace provides a believer with the ability to live the Christian life. The presence of the Fruit of the Spirit in a life is a direct result of sanctifying grace.

 

 Y

Faith: Like grace, the word faith has been the subject of many varied

interpretations and applications throughout Church history. It is always best to begin any investigation of truth with an examination of what Jesus had to say about the subject.

Matt. 8:10 – “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Matt. 8:13 – "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you."

Matt 9:22 – But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well."

à               These and many other passages make it clear that Jesus saw

faith as personal belief.

Personal Faith: In the broadest sense of the word, faith is belief in

anything. Every concept or idea that is accepted as true requires faith, personal, individual acceptance of and intellectual agreement with the truth-value of a proposition or a fact.

For example, nothing regarding the origin of the universe or of this world or of life itself can be proven absolutely, beyond any doubt. It can not be proven through the use of the senses or through irresistible logic.  Neither from a non-theistic perspective nor from a theistic one. All belief regarding origins must be taken by faith. The secular scientific community has been playing a shell game with the gullible public for decades by promoting operation science as proof for their theories concerning origin science.

Operation science is what you can demonstrate through repeated experiments in a laboratory. Origin science is the speculative theoretical explanation for how things began. They are not the same things at all. No one can reproduce the origins of anything.

What’s more, even operation science is ultimately only based on probability. No one can prove that future results will not vary from all that has gone before. An assumption of faith must be made that things will continue as they have during our observation period. This is known as the uniformitarian theory, and it is not provable.

This is the fallacy of the Modernist, the Empiricist, and the Naturalist. The formal name for this tactic in the discipline of logic is “The Fallacy of Incomplete Information”. 

            This fact of incomplete information permeates all of human investigation. The so-called “Scientific Community” is fond of painting the “Religious Community” with the broad brush of “blind faith” i.e. unsubstantiated belief. The fact is however that all systems of belief are based on incomplete knowledge and require faith. This truth demonstrates another logical fallacy that is perpetrated upon society by the modern scholastic naturalistic community, and that is “The Fallacy of Suppressed Information”. They hypocritically point a finger of scorn and credulity at others while hiding the fact that they themselves are resting completely upon the same foundations of faith as those that they wish to criticize.

When we speak of faith in religious terms, again, we must turn to Jesus for our definition. As we have seen, faith is personal. It is individual and it is necessary if one is to receive God’s blessings.

Matt 9:29 - "According to your faith will it be done to you."

Heb 11:6 – “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Alien Faith: Here we have another contradiction in terms. The teaching

Is that man has no faith of his own and therefore God must infuse, implant and inject a foreign faith into a man in order to enable him to believe.

            Just a casual objective reading of what Jesus had to say regarding the need for personal faith should put an end to this confusion. But like all error this one is based on a misunderstanding of an actual truth. Like all good things, Jas.1:17, faith does come from God, as do life, love and hope.

Rom. 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

            As this passage says, God does give every man a measure of faith. But in addition to the universal gift of faith there is a special supernatural gift of faith that is given to some as God Himself chooses.

1 Cor 12:4,8,9,11 – “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. --- But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: --- for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, --- But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”   

The supernatural gift of faith is not given to an individual because he doesn’t have any faith at all, it is given to one who has already demonstrated personal faith in God and who is indwelt by His Holy Spirit.

Explicit Faith: This refers to a self-conscious assent to a truth, which is

understood clearly enough to be distinguished from other truths and other propositions. Explicit faith does not require a complete and comprehensive understanding of a truth, but a competent apprehension of it.

John 4:19 - "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.”

Implicit Faith - This refers to an acceptance of the principles and

Propositions, i.e. truths, put forth by an authority figure such as the formal Church even though one has no knowledge of what those truths are. It is an assent to the authority of the Church and implicitly to whatever it teaches, without question.

            Obviously this is a dangerous practice and can lead to all kinds of problems, as we clearly see in our world today as reflected in the actions of radical Muslims.

             Commendable biblical faith requires personal investigation and verification through the revealed word of God.

Acts 17:11-12 – “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Living Faith / Fides Viva: This is what is called “Saving Faith.” It is the

faith that is demonstrated in a life through action. It is more than just intellectual assent to facts. It is trust and complete reliance upon the truth believed.

James 2:14-21 – “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

Works: It is impossible to understand the grace of God and the nature

and function of faith without a clear understanding of what works are and are not in the biblical context.

As James pointed out, it is possible to have faith with no works. Conversely, we know that it is possible to have religiously motivated works without faith in Jesus Christ. Both conditions fall short of the biblical definition of saving faith.

James 2:26 -  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith  without works is dead also.

 

Faith is not works. Works are not faith. Good works follow real faith.

Eph. 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Eph. 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

            Receiving grace as a gift is not works. Receiving grace through exercising personal faith is not work.

Rom. 4:4-5 - Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,