Last night, I was listening to a Q&A session. In one of her answers, the interviewee explained that the people who disagreed with her theologically “are often just trying to defend the Bible.” She is very careful to keep her viewpoints Biblically based, but I found it interesting that she would choose to frame her “opponents” in this way – “They’re trying to defend the Bible.”
How many people that I disagree with are in a similar vein? They see their stance as accurate from a theological and Biblical angle. But in my mind, they’re ignoring blatant verses that say the opposite of what they believe.
How many times have we tried to defend the Bible when God is speaking to us to look at it from a different angle? In these cases, it’s not so much the Bible that we’re defending as much as our understanding or interpretation of the Bible.
In truth, we all know in part and we teach the part we know (1 Corinthians 13:9). The next verse goes on to say that when perfection comes, the imperfect with be rendered powerless (see the Greek) or, as many English translations say, the imperfect will be set aside or done away with. There’s nothing wrong with only knowing in part right now – until perfection comes (1 Corinthians 13:10).
It’s helpful to be able to look at those who disagree with us as people who are just “trying to defend the Bible.” Sometimes, it’s so easy to think, “They just don’t want to change.” Or, “They refuse to open their eyes to what’s staring them in the face!” Or, “They must be afraid of moving beyond tradition or what they’ve always been told.” These may be truer than even we want to face, but it’s also still true that many if not most of these people are defending what the Bible says – even if it’s really just defending their interpretation of what the Bible says.
The great thing about valuing the Bible is that when you truly believe that it’s the unfailable Word of God, the Holy Spirit can use it to change your life. Maybe your interpretations are clouding you being able to read what’s actually there. But over time, He can break through the clouds and bring revelation.
You don’t have to be afraid of the people who disagree with you. You’re both trying to live by the Bible, even if your current interpretations of it are different. Thankfully, our God is big enough to reveal Himself and His word to both of you in due season.
“Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
