Who
is Jesus Christ – Part Three
In Part Two of this discussion, I closed with the following comments:
“In the
third and final post on this topic of “Who is Jesus Christ”, I will focus on
the two remaining questions raised earlier: (1) “What
is the significance of the Bible?”; and (2) “Why are there such major
differences in the interpretation of what the Bible wants man to believe about
Jesus Christ?” I will address them in
that order.
(1)
What is the significance of the Bible?
In
preparing for this blog post I wanted to consider the views of several others who
might have written on this topic. After performing a search on the Internet, I
concluded that my own views would not add meaningful substance to what was
already available to those who might read this post. As a result I am sharing a
few of the URLs that I think might be useful for your consideration.
https://www.gotquestions.org/importance-of-the-Bible.html
My
personal opinion is that our words are inadequate when trying to explain the
significance of the Bible. The Bible is
the means of introduction for man to have a personal relationship with our
Creator Jesus. Ultimately it explains the impact of the choices we have
made or will make as individuals and as collective humanity, to shape our
history, where we exist now, and our future because of Jesus.
(2)
Why are there such major differences in the interpretation of what
the Bible wants man to believe about Jesus Christ?
The Bible itself explains that “All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”(2
Timothy 3: 16) Some translations say of that same verse that “All scripture
is God-breathed…” (See also: https://www.gotquestions.org/who-wrote-the-Bible.html ) The
Bible also explains: “ Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the
prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (Emphasis added)(2 Peter 1: 20-21)
Both
these scriptures support the concept that the words written in the Bible had
their origins in that part of the Godhead called the Holy Spirit. Further, God wants us to look at the Bible in
its entirety, not as a disjointed collection of writings. I believe that failure to understand
that concept is the primary reason that there are such major differences in
beliefs among Christians, and misunderstandings by others as to what the Bible
is saying about Jesus. Too many people have chosen to focus on selective
portions of the full Scripture, while ignoring or dismissing other parts that
they “don’t believe” or find inconsistent with what they feel it should say. In
other instances, many are following the traditional beliefs passed along by others
including peers, and especially family.
Among
other possible reasons for the differences in Bible interpretation, many
Christians and others do not perceive that a common thread that links all Bible
Scripture is God’s pursuit of a relationship between our Lord Jesus and His
favored Creation Man. Yet another reason is that there is and has been the specter / presence
of the Enemy Satan who has sought to undermine man’s relationship with His
Creator, and therefore man’s understanding of God’s messages. Remember that Satan / Lucifer was God’s Enemy
even before man was created in God’s image. (Isaiah 14: 12-15; Ezekiel 28:
1-19; https://biblestudyforyou.com/verses-about-lucifer-in-the-bible/ ; Genesis 1: 26-27) He
has done and will continue to do whatever he can to confuse / confound man’s
understanding of the Bible Scripture since it was given by the Holy Spirit.
Collectively
these various reasons and others have contributed to differences in man’s interpretation
of the Scripture. However, there is another very important factor that I
believe should be considered in more depth. That factor is “TIME”. Many misunderstandings related to the
Scripture have resulted from a person’s not carefully reading or
misinterpreting what the Bible is saying.
There are other “time-related” issues as well. But in order to properly
address this topic, I will discuss it in my next post, under the title: “God’s
Timetable for the Salvation of Mankind”.
Dr.
W. A. (Bill) Robinson
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