“For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:16,17 ESV)
Disagreements
Sir Patrick Stewart is an actor who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek. I have read interesting articles that claim he is a noble man, much like the part he plays. I have even heard that Sir Patrick is a closet Christian, charitable, kind, and gentle. But recently I spent some time with a man who actually KNOWS Stewart. And he assures me that despite my wishes, third-hand observations, and reading-between-the-lines, Sir Patrick Stewart is none of those things.
There is always an expert. We draw our own conclusions, we make our own educated guesses, we know what we think we saw… but experts know more than we do.
Disagreements about theology can be good things. But when our conclusions come from our own background, our own wishes, our own perceptions, our disagreements are light and fluffy… and though fun, at times, are meaningless.
When it comes to God’s Truth, there is an expert. And that ‘expert’ is nothing more or less than God’s Word. Even the great Prophet Isaiah points out that no one finds saving faith by listening to Isaiah’s words… but God’s Word alone IS that which moves us, convinces us, molds us, motivates us, convicts us, and shows us what to believe.
Admittedly, though, many of us hold on tightly to OUR views and support them by some proof texts. But that is not what Paul urges us to do. Start from Scripture… let Scripture interpret Scripture… cast off things that you believe just because you’ve always believed them…
Knowing about God, and knowing God start with His Word, conclude with His Word, and depend on His Word.
Scripture alone.