The Bible

Conventional theology would have us believe that the Bible is a monolithic entity, to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. These words are a direct quote from the Evangelical Free Church of America Statement of Faith.

This theology is inherently contradictory, however. Timothy indicates that the Bible needs to be rightly divided, not to be treated as a monolithic entity, where everything applies to everyone.

^{Romans 8:2}For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Here are two laws: the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, and the law of sin and death. The Bible contains the details of both laws. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is spelled out in the New Testament with all its requirements. The law of sin and death is described throughout the Bible with its requirements. Romans 8:2 says that the one has set us free from the other. The EFCA Statement of Faith strongly insinuates that we are obligated to obey the requirements of both sets of laws, since they are both contained in scripture.

This creates a conflict. First of all, the requirements of the two are in direct contradiction. For example, when offended, do we require an eye for an eye, or do we apply the golden rule? Do we pay it back, or do we pay it forward?

^{Galatians 3:10}For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

A second problem is worse. When we are of the works of the law, we are under the curse. Placing ourselves under the Bible as a whole, we place ourselves under the curse.

^{Galatians 3:25}But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The Bible says that we are no longer under the schoolmaster, referring to the law of sin and death. The EFCA Statement of Faith ignores this verse, stating that we are still obligated to obey the Great Commandment, the law of sin and death. To appreciate this concept, please reference Bewitched.

I have devoted a page to what is meant by rightly dividing the word of truth. The right division is not between the Old Testament and the New Testament, but between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

^{John 15:10}If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Jesus made a distinction between the Father’s commandments and his commandments. If you are in Christ, the set of commandments you are to obey are the commandments of the Son. It is interesting that Jesus spoke of his commandments, plural, but then only gave us one commandment, the new commandment. To see how this singular commandment becomes plural, please review The True Gospel.

My position on the Bible is that it indeed is the inspired word of God. However, it is not a monolithic entity, where everything contained therein applies to us as Christians. It must be rightly divided. Those who are under the law of sin and death, trusting in their ability to satisfy the requirements of the law by their own strength, will face the wrath of God, for the law invokes the wrath of God. We come into the world as individuals under the law of sin and death.

Those who desire to partner with God, being partakers of the divine nature, can look forward to the promises of the New Covenant. Those who wish to take this step are required to repent, a term that is, I believe, universally misunderstood.

Repentance is thought of as remorse or contrition for past sin. Another common meaning given is to change your mind. The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo. It is made up of two parts, meta and noeo. Meta means to change. Noeo means the mind. To characterize this word as changing one’s mind does not do it justice. The English meaning of repentance has more to do with the past than with the future. Repentance is changing one’s mindset.

Meta can also mean beyond, a transcendence. Considered this way, repentance involves going beyond what you know, going beyond knowledge. Walking based on what is seen is walking by sight. Walking by that which is beyond what you see is walking by faith. Repentance is choosing to walk by faith, partnering with God, allowing him access to your resources to work in you according to his purpose.

This definition of repentance applies even to those who are already walking in the right direction, where changing their mind would be detrimental.