FAITH AND PRACTICE FINDING THE PATTERN? Command Example Implication

Introduction ATTACKING “TRADITIONS” ❖ “RETHINKING EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT” ❖ ASSUME HERMENEUTICS IS BASED ON TRADITION ❖ OFTEN SPAWNED BY MISUNDERSTANDING

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:21 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 35 And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 “David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.” ’ Mark 12:35–36 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES ❖ SCRIPTURE IS OBJECTIVE AND PROPOSITIONAL

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:61–62 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES ❖ SCRIPTURE IS OBJECTIVE AND PROPOSITIONAL

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 10 “Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; 11 This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away. Mark 12:10–12 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES ❖ SCRIPTURE IS OBJECTIVE AND PROPOSITIONAL

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; Romans 3:9–11 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES ❖ SCRIPTURE IS OBJECTIVE AND PROPOSITIONAL

Introduction ATTACKING THE NATURE OF SCRIPTURE 9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so- called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 1 Corinthians 5:9–11 (NASB95) ❖ ASSUMES LAW PRECLUDES LOVE ❖ IGNORES SCRIPTURES OWN TESTIMONY ❖ STATEMENTS, EXAMPLES, AND IMPLICATION ARE HOW SCRIPTURE COMMUNICATES ❖ SCRIPTURE IS OBJECTIVE AND PROPOSITIONAL

Introduction ATTACKING HUMAN INTELLECT 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self- abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Colossians 2:21–23 (NASB95) ❖ WE MUST CERTAINLY TAKE CARE WHEN WE APPLY OUR REASONING TO UNDERSTAND SCRIPTURE

Introduction ATTACKING HUMAN INTELLECT 2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. Psalm 14:2 (NASB95) ❖ WE MUST CERTAINLY TAKE CARE WHEN WE APPLY OUR REASONING TO UNDERSTAND SCRIPTURE ❖ THIS DOES NOT MEAN HUMAN REASONING HAS NO PLACE IN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE ❖ THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING INTELLECT TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WILL AND USING INTELLECT TO DEVISE OUR OWN PLAN 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, Ephesians 3:4 (NASB95)

Introduction DO WE NEED SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY?? 17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” John 10:17–18 (NASB95) ❖ JESUS WAS UNDER AUTHORITY IN: ❖ ENACTING THE REDEMPTIVE SCHEME

Introduction DO WE NEED SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY?? 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB95) ❖ JESUS WAS UNDER AUTHORITY IN: ❖ ENACTING THE REDEMPTIVE SCHEME ❖ SENDING FORTH THE COMMISSION

Introduction DO WE NEED SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY?? 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:19–23 (NASB95) ❖ JESUS WAS UNDER AUTHORITY IN: ❖ ENACTING THE REDEMPTIVE SCHEME ❖ SENDING FORTH THE COMMISSION ❖ REIGNING OVER HIS KINGDOM

Introduction DO WE NEED SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY?? 24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. Matthew 10:24 (NASB95) ❖ JESUS WAS UNDER AUTHORITY IN: ❖ ENACTING THE REDEMPTIVE SCHEME ❖ SENDING FORTH THE COMMISSION ❖ REIGNING OVER HIS KINGDOM

A DIVINE HERMENEUTIC? REASON AND THE PATTERN “The CENI (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) hermeneutic, contrary to the belief of some, did not fall directly from the throne room of God into the hands of men. It is no more "inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic devised by men to aid in the interpretation of a written document. Personally, I think it is greatly flawed… There are several who have suggested legitimate, and I believe far more valid, approaches to biblical hermeneutics.” Al Maxey – Gospel Preachers List

A DIVINE HERMENEUTIC? REASON AND THE PATTERN If our hermeneutic is derived purely from human reasoning this statement might hold merit, on the other hand, what does it say of inspiration itself if the method of interpretation, being needful to understanding, were left solely to the mind of various interpreters - how then could we be expected to be of “the same mind” and “the same judgment”?

DIVINE HERMENEUTIC? JESUS - DOCTRINAL QUESTIONS JESUS - INDIVIDUAL ACTION EARLY CHURCH - QUESTIONS OF FAITH AND PRACTICE COMMAND MATT 19:4-5MATT 4:4,7,10ACTS 15:16-19 EXAMPLE MATT 19:4-5MATT 4:4-5ACTS15:7-12 FORCED CONCLUSION MATT 9:6MATT 4:4,7,10ACTS 15:19

EXPRESS STATEMENT 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” Matthew 19:3 (NASB95) ❖ “HAVE YOU NOT READ?” ❖ JESUS EMPLOYS THIS CONCEPT IN HIS OWN TEMPTATION MATT 4:4,10 ❖ THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH DEPENDED ON EXPRESS STATEMENTS ACTS 15:16-19 A DIVINE HERMENEUTIC?

APPROVED EXAMPLE 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” Matthew 19:3 (NASB95) ❖ ADAM AND EVE - THE PUREST EXAMPLE OF THE MARRIAGE LAW ❖ JESUS APPEALED TO THE EXAMPLE OF ISRAEL IN DEALING WITH TEMPTATION MATT 4:7 ❖ THE EARLY CHURCH APPEALED TO EXAMPLE AS WELL ACTS 15:7-12 A DIVINE HERMENEUTIC?

FORCED CONCLUSION 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” Matthew 19:3 (NASB95) ❖ “WHAT THEREFORE GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN SEPARATE” ❖ WITH EACH TEMPTATION JESUS QUOTED SCRIPTURE AND INFERRED APPLICATION TO HIS SITUATION ❖ LIKEWISE THE EARLY CHURCH DREW CONCLUSIONS BASED ON O.T. SCRIPTURE TO DETERMINE THEIR PRACTICES A DIVINE HERMENEUTIC?