Authority in Religion I We Need Religious Authority
- Slides: 51
Authority in Religion I. We Need Religious Authority A. Let’s be reasonable. 1. • Romans 12: 1 • Isaiah 1: 18 Our approach will need to be… – Logical – Sensible – Rational – Practical – Accountable
Authority in Religion I. We Need Religious Authority B. Religion: good and bad • • Bad: superstition, extremism, mysticism Acts 17: 22 Good: piety, respect, discipline James 1: 26, 27
Authority in Religion I. We Need Religious Authority C. Authority: The lawful right to rule over others • • • By merit or appointment Matthew 21: 33 Objectively: dominion over - the right to cause others to act Subjectively: under submission - the right to act by another’s cause Matthew 8: 9
Authority in Religion I. We Need Religious Authority D. Subjective authority is a divinely appointed requirement. • Colossians 3: 17 Chaos and anarchy prevails without authority E. The one who acts is the one responsible to produce proof. 1 Peter 3: 15
Authority in Religion I. We Need Religious Authority F. Ignorance is no excuse • • Understood secularly Sincerity alone is inadequate Acts 26: 9; 1 Corinthians 5: 8 G. A price to pay for violation • • Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10) Uzzah (2 Samuel 6: 3 -7) Matthew 7: 21 -23
Authority in Religion II. The Source of Religious Authority – The starting point: revelation • • – from heaven from men Matthew 21: 23 -27, Galatians 1: 11, 12 One true source • Christ (Matthew 28: 18) • Apostles, prophets (2 Peter 1: 21) • Scriptures (2 Timothy 3: 14 -17) Divine oracles (Ex 4: 15, 16; 1 Pet 4: 11)
Authority in Religion II. The Source of Religious Authority C. Miracles and revelation Necessary for validation Exodus 4: 1 -5; Hebrews 2: 3, 4 D. Acceptance of a standard • Credible (1 John 1: 1 -4) • Exclusive (Acts 4: 12) • Tangible (Ephesians 3: 4) • Accessible (Romans 10: 8, 18) The scriptures meet these requirements.
Authority in Religion II. The Source of Religious Authority E. Wrong sources of authority: • Anything not from scripture • Friends and family • Elders and preachers • Commentators and scholars • Colleges and lectureships • Creed books and bylaws • Fellow Christians • Other churches • Common practice
Authority in Religion II. The Source of Religious Authority 1. Wrong sources of authority: 2. Human Tradition 3. Man’s opinion and reasoning • Fallacy of influence (Gal 1: 8 -10) • Fear of consequences (Jn 12: 42, 43) 4. Inconsistency of others “If you can do that, I can do this. ” 5. Personal feelings
Authority in Religion III. The Silence of the Scriptures A. The mind of God revealed 1. Apocalypse = removing the veil (Rev 1: 1 -4) B. Boundaries and Limitations • • Athletic competition (1 Cor 9: 24 -27) Rule = Canon (Gal 6: 16) “a definitely bounded or fixed space within the limits of which one's power of influence is confined” (J. H. Thayer)
Authority in Religion III. The Silence of the Scriptures C. Viewpoints on silence • • permit, include, loose? restrict, exclude, bind. • “appeal to ignorance” • “you didn’t say not to” • “be reasonable” D. Application in scripture • • Hebrews 7: 14 Acts 15: 24
Authority in Religion III. The Silence of the Scriptures E. Things practiced today by silence • • F. instrumental music in worship weekday church treasury collections church volleyball and bowling teams church dinner socials Silence not option area 1. We can agree about what is stated. 2. That which is unstated is indeterminate.
Authority in Religion IV. The Dispensations of God A. Ordinances Delivered • Dispensation of Patriarchs Duration for Israel: until Moses Duration for other nations: until Christ • Dispensation of Moses Duration for Israel: until Christ • Dispensation of Christ Duration for all: until last day Never an age without law from God
Authority in Religion IV. The Dispensations of God B. Old and New Testament Differences 1. Ratification: 1. Old: animal blood (Hebrews 9: 18 -21) 2. New: Christ’s blood (10: 10) 2. Duration: 1. Old: temporary, obsolete (7: 18; 8: 13) 2. New: enduring, changeless (7: 21 -28) • Effect: Old: imperfect, resulting in death (10: 1 -4) New: perfect, resulting in life (9: 11 -15)
Authority in Religion IV. The Dispensations of God C. Old Testament Applicability Today 1. No longer in force (Gal 4: 1 -11) 1. We learn in principle from their examples. 2. False Doctrines from misapplication 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ten Commandments enjoined Instrumental music in worship Special class earthly priesthood Baptism not essential Divorce for indecency
Authority in Religion IV. The Dispensations of God C. Old Testament Applicability Today 3. Old Testament references in the New Testament not binding 1. Animal sacrifices (Heb 9: 13) 2. Feast days (Heb 11: 28) 3. Circumcision (Acts 16: 3) 4. Human traditions (Acts 21: 26)
Authority in Religion IV. The Dispensations of God D. God-ordained or Man-originated Matthew 21: 25 From God (binding): • Baptism • Lord’s supper • The church • Elders, deacons • Marriage From Man (not binding): • Washing feet • Greeting kiss • Woman’s veil • Therapeutic oils • Civil ceremony
Authority in Religion V. Communication A. Language 1. God’s creation and gift to Adam 2. Governed by rules 3. Essential to law delivery B. Word Meanings 1. Inflectional forms 2. Fixed signification 3. Source of disputes (2 Pet 3: 16)
Authority in Religion V. Communication C. Context 1. 2. 3. 4. Reveals dual word meanings Exciting novels are rare. Rare books are expensive. Therefore, exciting novels are expensive. 5. Rare #2 = unusual quality, distinctive 6. Rare #3 = seldom occurring, uncommon
Authority in Religion V. Communication C. Context 1. 2. 3. 4. Reveals dual word meanings Exciting novels are rare. (#2) Rare books are expensive. (#3) Therefore, exciting novels are expensive. 5. Rare #2 = unusual quality, distinctive 6. Rare #3 = seldom occurring, uncommon
Authority in Religion V. Communication D. Figurative Language 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Rule Rule of of of context impossibility contradiction absurdity revelation
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation A. Systematic Approach 1. 2. 3. Divine author, unified message (2 Pet 1: 1, 2). Rightly dividing, not wrongly (2 Tim 2: 15). Our Method: 1. Logical (reasonable, sensible) 2. Consistent (applicable in all contexts)
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation B. Direct and Indirect Authority 1. Indirect: Necessary Inference • • • Word implications Cause and effect relationships Not by possible or probable inference Forced conclusions Binding and mandatory
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation 1. Remarriage and adultery illustration: Romans 7: 2, 3 Live Death Bound Not bound Remarry Adultery No adultery Matthew 19: 6, 9 Chastity Fornication Bound ? Remarry Adultery ? Adultery if married to one but bound to another. No adultery if married to one and not bound to another. No right to put away (bound) if no fornication. What is necessarily inferred?
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation 1. Remarriage and adultery illustration: Romans 7: 2, 3 Live Death Bound Not bound Remarry Adultery No adultery Matthew 19: 6, 9 Chastity Fornication Bound Not bound Remarry Adultery No adultery Adultery if married to one but bound to another. No adultery if married to one and not bound to another. No right to put away (bound) if no fornication. Right to put away (not bound) if fornication.
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation B. Direct and Indirect Authority 2. Direct: Statements and Commands Statement: indicative, informative. Command: imperative, directive. • • One dispensation of Christ. Necessarily inference: A command then is a command now.
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation B. Direct and Indirect Authority 3. Indirect: Approved Examples • • Recorded examples of divinely approved early church actions necessarily infer the unrecorded commands were delivered. Binding only when the command is not recorded.
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation C. Methods Combined • All recorded commands delivered to the early church are for our example and are by necessary inference binding upon us. • All recorded approved examples of early church action necessarily infer that the empowering commands were delivered.
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation D. Methods Illustrated 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Jesus’ teaching: Necessary inference (Mark 12: 26, 27) Direct command (Luke 10: 26 -28) Approved example (Matt 12: 5) Debate at Jerusalem: Necessary inference (Acts 15: 7 -9; 11: 17) Approved example (Acts 15: 12 -14) Direct command (Acts 15: 15 -18)
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation E. Consider Everything Recorded Matthew 18: 20 “observe all things” Psalm 119: 160 “the sum of Your word” 1. Not any one passage reveals all of God’s will on a particular subject. 2. Variations in historian’s accounts are not contradictions but differing viewpoints. (Luke 1: 1 -4) 3. Work to harmonize scripture.
Authority in Religion VI. Method of Interpretation F. Matters of Judgment and Opinion 1. A weak brother’s conscience (Rom 14: 1, 2; 15: 1; 1 Cor 8: 7 -12) 2. Things not inherently moral or immoral (Rom 14: 3 -6; 1 Cor 10: 25, 26) 3. Find common ground (Rom 14: 13; 1 Cor 8: 13; 10: 27 -33) 4. Not a license for heresy (Rom 14: 14, 22; 1 Cor 10: 23)
Authority in Religion VII. When Are Examples Binding? 1. The Rule Of Uniformity 2. Binding if examples are all the same. 2. The Rule Of Harmony 1. Not binding if it creates a contradiction. 3. The Rule Of Relevance 1. Coincidental or immaterial details not binding. 4. The Rule Of Applicability 1. Not binding if circumstantially impossible.
Authority in Religion VIII. Specific and Generic Terminology A. Definitions 1. Specific: Distinguishes from other kinds 2. Wooden objects are distinguished from everything that is not wooden: carpet, light bulbs, concrete blocks, ink pens, microphones, etc. 3. Generic: Includes all of the same class 4. Wooden objects include communion tables, paneling, pews, lecterns, etc.
Authority in Religion VIII. Specific and Generic Terminology B. Characteristics of Specifics 1. Restricts and confines 2. Excludes and prevents 3. Limits and binds C. Characteristics of Generics 1. Permits and looses 2. Includes and allows 3. Liberates and sets free
Authority in Religion VIII. Specific and Generic Terminology D. Illustrating Specifics and Generics Secular: • U. S. A. • Ohio • Hamilton Co. • Cincinnati • Walnut St. more generic more specific Scriptural: • Worship • Musical • Vocal • 4 -part • Unison
Authority in Religion VIII. Specific and Generic Terminology Exodus 12: 5 x x x x sheep and goats one year male unblemished x x horses, cows, etc lambs over one year female lambs defective lambs
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies A. Expediency Defined • That which is convenient or personally advantageous. John 16: 17; 2 Cor 8: 10 • Suitable for achieving an end: Means for accomplishing (Jn 4: 34) Ways of fulfilling a task (Jas 2: 8) Methods of performing action (Lk 2: 39)
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies B. Rules Of Expediencies • Must not add, subtract, or substitute. (1 Corinthians 4: 6; 1 Samuel 15: 15) • Must not be specified. (Genesis 6: 14; Exodus 12: 5) • Must edify. (1 Corinthians 10: 23, 24, 33; 14: 26) • Must not lead others to sin. (1 Corinthians 8: 7 -13) • Must be lawful. (1 Chronicles 13: 7 -10)
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies C. Applications Walk: Sun or shade incidental– Shoes, cane aid– Fast or slow method– Dog, i. Pod addition– substitution– Bicycle, run
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies C. Applications Walk: Sun or shade incidental– Shoes, cane aid– Fast or slow method– Dog, i. Pod addition– substitution– Bicycle, run Incidentals have no bearing on the action. Aids and methods do not add or subtract.
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies C. Applications Walk: Sun or shade incidental– Shoes, cane aid– Fast or slow method– Dog, i. Pod addition– substitution– Bicycle, run Sing: Stand, sit Book, pitch pipe Loud or soft Piano, organ Whistle, hum Incidentals have no bearing on the action. Aids and methods do not add or subtract.
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies C. Applications Baptize: Flowing incidental– Baptistery aid– Prone, supine method– swim, dive addition– substitution– sprinkle, pour Teach gospel: Public, private Charts, outlines Lecture, discuss Drama, food Teach knitting We should ask. . . WHERE DOES IT LEAD?
Authority in Religion IX. Expediencies D. The Use Of Tools The tool is authorized by its use: • Teaching justifies computer and projector • Assembling justifies meeting house • Singing justifies pitch instrument The use is not authorized by the tool: • Computer does not justify movie night • Building does not justify game parties • Instrument does not justify accompaniment
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation A. Sound Reasoning 1. Applying Logic Proposition: Confirmed statement Premise: Starting proposition Argument: Grouped propositions Inference: Connection between propositions Deductive reasoning: Necessary inferences Conclusion: Deduced proposition 2. Sound Arguments True Premise + Valid Inference = True Forced Conclusion
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation A. Sound Reasoning 2. Sound Arguments, Examples John is a medical doctor. All MDs have gone to medical school. Therefore: John went to medical school. An elder must have a wife (Tit 1: 6). Paul was unmarried (1 Cor 7: 8). Therefore: Paul was not an elder.
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation B. Unsound Arguments 1. False premise, valid inference All birds fly. Penguinsdodonot Rabbits notfly. Therefore: a rabbit penguin is is not a bird. Baptism is a work of merit condition (? ? ? ). (Mk 16: 16). Salvation not by works of merit (Eph 2: 9). Therefore: baptism is not for salvation. Invalid argument – propositions unrelated
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation B. Unsound Arguments 2. True premise, invalid inference A leopard is spotted. Strawberries are red. Cherries A cheetahare is red. a spotted cat. Therefore: a strawberries leopard is aare cat. cherries. Elders laid hands on Timothy (1 Tim 4: 14). Paul laid hands on Timothy (2 Tim 1: 6). Therefore: a bachelor can be an elder. Invalid inference!
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation B. Unsound Arguments 3. False premise, invalid inference Allbat A mammals is a typeare of predators. bird. Allwolf A birds is fly. not a predator. Therefore: wolves bats canare fly. not mammals. Giving was not required of all churches. Giving is was notonly an act for benevolence. of worship. Therefore: we giving should is not give an willingly. act of worship. Conclusion not dependant upon argument!
Authority in Religion X. Reasoning and Argumentation C. Resolving Doctrinal Disputes Spirit and truth; attitudes and convictions: • Same belief, same attitude no dispute, no conflict (Phil 2: 1) • Same belief, different attitude pointless bickering (Titus 3: 9) • Different belief, same attitude agree to disagree or resolve (Acts 15: 25) • Different belief, different attitude senselessly irreconcilable (James 3: 17)
Authority in Religion XI. Conclusion 1. In Review: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. We need authority for religious practices. Our source is God’s word in scripture. Silence of the scriptures authorizes nothing. The New Testament is God’s final word. God’s word is unified and discernable. We have a logical interpretive method. Specific and generic terms are distinctive. Expediencies do not add or subtract. We must apply sound reasoning.
Authority in Religion XI. Conclusion Acts 17: 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Ecclesiastes 12: 13, 14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
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