“Able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” ; why the evangelical doctrine of scripture misses the mark!

Most of the people that I see being set free by the Holy Spirit are in a process of taking two steps toward freedom and then one step backward. One of the main reasons for that is the evangelical orthodox doctrine of scripture. When it is viewed as the inerrant word of God then all of its messages tend to have equal value. How many times have you heard some preacher or seen a bumper sticker that essentially says, “God said it--- I believe it --- and that settles it!” … or… the saying… “it’s tight but it’s right!” Both of these statements are way too narrow and quite naive.  There are way too many accepted exceptions to the meaning of certain scripture passages to make either of those catchy sayings true in any sense.

The first question that any thinking saint should ask is this; Is there an overriding theme that one should bring to examining all scripture? What is the overriding theme? Is it that the scripture is the inerrant word of God? One would think so in view of the current evangelical doctrine of scripture. However, that is not the overriding theme that Jesus and his immediate followers brought to the scripture. It is a long, long way from it! As I have shown in so many different posts on this blog… Jesus and the writers of the New Testament redefined the phrases ---word of God ---  word of truth --- Word --- word of his grace to mean either Jesus the living Word or, the *gospel* the message of the living Word. If you do not believe this just go to the search function on this blog and search *word of God* or *word of truth.* The scriptural evidence is overwhelming and 100% indisputable!

Before you get all upset and blow a cork… I believe the following about scripture:

• It is inspired and given by God
• It is profitable for teaching
• It is profitable for correction
• It is profitable for reproof
• It is profitable for training in righteousness
• It will equip the man/woman of God for good works

I believe all of the above bulleted list. I believe it completely. The fact is that I can believe this within the framework of the overriding theme of the bible. The overriding theme of the bible according to Jesus and Paul is redemption.  It is *only* all of the above mentioned things in a redemptive sense. When Paul gave that list in 2Timothy  3:16 & 17 he did not give it until he had stated the overriding theme and purpose in verse 15. The prime, and only purpose of the scripture is “ to make one *wise* unto *salvation* which is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus stated the same thing in John 5:39-40 and Luke 24:27, 44-47. Take the time to read those passages and see for yourself the overriding theme and purpose.

Much of evangelical Christianity has already thrown out the rigid take on scripture by allowing women in the pulpit. If one is to take the *tight but right* approach to the scripture, then, one would have to *not allow* women preachers based upon 1Timothy 2:11&12 and 1Corinthians 14:34-35. One of the passages says that the Law/Torah prohibits it!

We should start viewing scripture the same way that Jesus and the New Testament writers did. When we do, we will be able to concentrate on The love of the Father and begin to allow that to transform us into the image of Jesus.