How The Bible Is Misused

By ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your 

most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for 

the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto 

eternal life. And of some have compassion, 

making a difference: and others save with fear,

 pulling them out of the fire; hating even 

the garment spotted by the flesh.

Jude 20-23 

     In yesterday's blog I wrote about the Bible and that it is our guide book for this life and leads us to the life God has promised all His children. To have a rule book in our hands for us to read is good but only as good as the one reading it understands the words written. If one does not fully understand the words then there is a possibility and even a greater probability that that person will not have the truth of what was written to "play" (if I can use that word) the game. Christianity is not a game but does have rules, commands, precepts for us to live our lives. We must be sure that what is being preached or taught are from a person that understands the language the book was written in and more so if the original book was written in another language. I have had some get a bit upset at me when I mention that I have studied the Greek language and have a very good understanding of that language. Why? Well, I was bitten once by those who misuse the Bible language, and this was their fault, but now I know the difference so if I fall under such teaching again it is my fault, so I studied for myself Biblical Greek. I will not sit, or continue to sit under a pastor, or teacher that does not know Greek, not just have some Greek in school but has a good knowledge of Greek grammar. 

     Here is a good example of error in teaching, especially by those of the Pentecostal, or Charismatic belief: praying in the Holy Spirit. There is a belief among such denominations that this means to "speak in tongues." They use 1Corithinans 14:14-15 to prove their doctrine. When we study the Bible we must take into account the context for it is context, context, context that determines what is being taught and led by the Holy Spirit. If a verse(s) are used as "proof" verses without the context then this is a misuse of the Bible. LET ME GIVE YOU THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE: GREEK IS NOT ENGLISH. This alone gives us a problem when translating so it is important to know Greek. The Bible, our rule book, was written in Greek so I would purpose that exegetic teaching would mean that the teacher knows Greek. 

      This blog is not to give you all about this but enough to show you what I mean. In English we have the word "if" and use it in many ways, but the Greek has two words for "if" and Paul in 1Corithians is using the Greek word "ἐὰν" not "εἰ"

for "ἐὰν" is subjuctive and means, maybe or maybe not and the next words are dative: γλώσσῃ, τὸ:  and as a dative with the article means literally: to a tongue or to mean in an unknown tongue. Here is the meaning of the word translated tongue:
1) the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech
2) a tongue
1a) the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

We know from the context that Paul is not speaking about our little organ called "tongue." The tongue is an organ of speech so it then could refer to a sound, or and as it does, a language or a dialect used by a particular people, a language or dialect that is distinct from other nations. Liberal Christians, those who hold to "spiritual gifts" and manifested by some gibberish sound or speech is nothing more than Christianizing the word "tongue" to fit their theology or ideology about God. This is to not use, or know, the Greek language, all for one purpose, to teach what they had determined in their minds as to how God operates and how a person should operated their lives. Furthermore, Paul goes on to teach us that "if anyone should pray in some language that is unknown, that is the adjective used here it would be hollow and not to the praise of God.

     This is just part of the problem when people do not use God's guide book, that which He had written for our good. It is a problem because people look up to leaders to teach them the truth, except, they are looking only at those eloquent speakers that sound so godly, yet are not! 

     Will you take time to ensure that the one teaching you does know and use proper Greek? It is your life, or do you want to be the one that is pulled from the fire?

The LORD was ready to save me: 

     therefore we will sing my songs

to the stringed instruments all the

    days of our life in the house of the LORD.

                     Isaiah 38:20

You must check your leadership

Richard L. Crumb