"I buried my dog yesterday.
He was a life-long friend. I didn't know if I could endure the whole
ordeal... that is until I remembered, I'll
see ol' Rover again one day."
Many
people have ideas that they firmly believe are founded in Scripture.
They, essentially, never look for them - never read them - they just
"know" they are there. The conversation can quickly become combatant
and angry if their beliefs are challenged or even
doubted. (Even if you are doubting
'dog-resurrection')
"Who told you that?" "Oh, the Bible says
that." "Where?" "Well, I don't know exact chapter and
verse, but it's there! I know it is! I
read
it!"
As you may
have guessed, many, many times "it" is NOT there.
Not a shred of Scripture to prove any portion of what many honest,
well-meaning Christians believe. Many doctrines, held by millions of
Believers, are even
refuted and warned against by the
Scripture, yet they are still held in a resolute and blissful,
stupor.
"Yeah, well... maybe the "Nuts," but not
me!"
Sure, this
problem is prevalent in the obscure doctrines of strange
denominations that are on the fringes of traditional Christianity,
but the "Bible
says..." and the "Proof text" fallacy
spreads to touch even the foundational elements of
much of the common "Christian" faith.
None of us
are safe. We all must ask ourselves, "Who told me that? - Where
did I get that?" If it was not revealed to us - if
we did not read it in the Scriptures we must be willing to, at
least, hold our pet doctrines
loosely until we can find some Scriptural foundation for
it.
A zealous
Christian witness hands me a tract and says, "Are ya' goin' ta
heaven when ya die?" I answered, "Are you?" "Yep!" I
asked, "Who told you that?"
He quickly answered, "Why, it's a promise
from the Bible..." Then he proceeded to spout one impertinent
Scripture reference after another.
"Wait, wait,
wait my friend. Tell me where the Bible says you
are going to Heaven when you die." The fear and
bewilderment, apparent on his forehead, began to mix with sweat . "I
know it says it... somewhere... ya see... I've been
SAVED!" I continued. "Where did Jesus
promise you entry into Heaven - under ANY circumstances?"
"Well, my Pastor could give you chapter and
verse... but... but..." "I'm sure he could... Yep... I'm sure he could
..."
Some red ink to consider:
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life..."
John 5:39
"Are you ready to know
the truth?"
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