Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Character Issues  A love for the world – 1 John 2:15-17; Prov. 23:23  A love for unrighteousness – 2 Thes 2:9-12; Ps 119:  Pride and a lack of respect for God’s word – Isa. 66:2; Prov. 1:7 Don McClain 2 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Thinking that we can’t – ( For clergy only; mysticism; have to have Holy Spirit to help ) - Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17  Preconceived ideas – ( To defend what we already believe ) - Mat 15:7- 9; Rom 10:1-3  Ignoring Context – ( many false doctrines ) – John 3:16; 6:44,45; 1 Cor. 1:17; Rev. 20:4 Don McClain 3 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Ignoring the type of language used – ( Literal or figurative? Apocalyptic literature ) – Gen. 1,2; Rev 1:1  Ignoring the different ways terms are used – ( spirit; soul; one; baptism ) – Gen. 1:20,30; Num. 31:28; Mark 12:29-31; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:16 Don McClain 4 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Character Issues  Right attitude – (Isa. 66:2; Prov. 1:7)  Love for truth – (2 Thes 2:10-12)  Honesty – (Luke 8:15; Acts 17:11,12)  Common sense – (Eph 5:17) Don McClain 5 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Trust – (2 Tim. 3:16,17; John 17:17)  Hunger – (Mat 5:6; 1 Pet 2:2)  Expectation – (Eph 3:3-5)  A desire to obey it – (John 7:17) Don McClain 6 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Open minded – (Acts 8:34; 17:11,12; James 1:21)  Examine context – (Psalm 119:160; Prov. 30:5; 2 Tim. 3:16)  Understanding the terms as they are used in the context – (Eph 3:3-5)  Recognizing the difference between figurative and literal language – (Rev. 1:1; Gen. 1,2) Don McClain 7 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Recognizing that the Bible doesn’t deal with everything specifically –  However, the scriptures provide the principles where every important question can be answered – (1 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Pet 3:16)  Knowledge of historical circumstances and customs – (John 13:14; 1 Thes 5:26) Don McClain 8 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  Using accurate translations –  Using commentaries –  Using Lexicons and dictionaries –  Using concordances  Using cross references - Don McClain 9 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Approach Issues  It is not always easy to come to the correct understanding of a passage or passages – (parables, revelation, some writings of Paul, etc.)  “The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it." --James Wilson, Of the Study of Law in the United States, 1790 Don McClain 10 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Simple Yet Complex  What must I do to be saved?  What things are sinful?  How do I worship God?  How should the church be organized?  What is the work of the church? Don McClain 11 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Don McClain 12 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

Don McClain 13 W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009