How Do We Know?

It seems that often is the case, people who know little or nothing about such things as electrical engineering, or possibly computer science, will not try to come up with their own interpretation of a solution to a problem, but readily confess to not having the knowledge or expertise to diagnose and correct a problem that may arise in those fields.  Yet it seems when it comes to matters of faith, suddenly everyone seems to know the right answer, though their answers are far from what the Word of God teaches!  Yet there are correct answers, and the fact is that it is of eternal concern that we do in fact have the correct answers.  Those answers are of course found in the Word of God itself.  Yet, when we go to the Word, it still seems that different people come up with very different answers to similar questions.  When this happens, how do we determine which answer is correct?  One very important help is to remember in Bible interpretation, if a text in one place seems to contradict a text in another place, we need to look at both and determine that we are taking both in respect of their contexts.  Also, if this occurs, it is almost always the case that one text is very clear and straightforward, such as John 3:16, while another is at first glance, rather unclear to us.  In cases such as this, it is always right to interpret unclear texts in light of clear and substantiated texts rather than the opposite way.  John 3:16 which we just saw, is corroborated in many other places in Scripture as being clear and saying exactly what it seems to be saying, that the one who simply trusts in Jesus Christ who was given on the cross to die for us will receive eternal life and never perish for his or her sins.  Another text that may at first seem to contradict this straightforward and simple truth when seen in light of this will then begin to be seen more clearly and we will know that its interpretation has to do with another aspect of Bible truth rather than a soul's eternal salvation.  

Simple yet essential truths that help us understand more clearly the most important Book ever written can be learned by studying in the free BBN Bible Institute at www.bbnbi.org.  Some examples of courses that clearly explain essential and foundational Bible truths are course number 00400, Understanding the Gospel, and number 00900, The Doctrine of Salvation, along with number 00100, Foundational Beliefs of the Christian Faith.  While you're learning and growing in your faith, be sure to tell a friend!