Wisdom and Purity in the Modern Church: Navigating the Serpentine World
July 8, 2024
The Bible is a foundational source for Christians worldwide, offering guidance, wisdom, and a deep understanding of God’s nature and His plan for humanity. As seekers of truth, it is essential for us to study the Bible diligently and critically evaluate the teachings of those who claim to be experts in biblical knowledge. In this article, we will embark on a journey to discern the difference between biblical teachings and extra-biblical references, which may not have the same authority and accuracy as the Scriptures themselves. By taking the Bible Teacher Challenge, we will not only assess our own understanding of the Bible, but also evaluate the teachings of those who claim to be experts in biblical knowledge.
Section 1: The Basics of Biblical Knowledge
Before we dive into the intricacies of discerning extra-biblical references, let’s begin by testing our foundational knowledge of the Bible. This will serve as a starting point for understanding the importance of staying true to the Scriptures and avoiding the pitfalls of integrating non-biblical teachings into our beliefs.
- Who was the first man created by God? Answer: Adam (Genesis 1:26-27)
- Who was the mother of all living beings according to the Bible? Answer: Eve (Genesis 3:20)
- Who was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel? Answer: Jacob, who was later renamed Israel (Genesis 35:10)
- Who was the first king of Israel? Answer: Saul (1 Samuel 10:1)
- Who was the second king of Israel and known for his wisdom? Answer: King Solomon (1 Kings 2:12)
- Who was the prophet that was swallowed by a great fish and sent to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh? Answer: Jonah (Jonah 1:17)
- Who was the king that was known for his immense wealth and power in the Old Testament? Answer: King Solomon (1 Kings 10:23)
- Who was the woman known for her loyalty to her mother-in-law and for finding favor in the eyes of Boaz, leading to a royal lineage? Answer: Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
- Who was the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume and wiped His feet with her hair? Answer: Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:3)
- Who was the centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus? Answer: Cornelius (Acts 10:1)
- Who was the man who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? Answer: Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16)
- Who was the disciple who denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion? Answer: Peter (John 18:17, 25-27)
- Who was the first martyr in the Christian church? Answer: Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)
- Who was the Apostle known as the “Apostle to the Gentiles”? Answer: Paul (Galatians 2:8)
- Who was the writer of the majority of the New Testament letters? Answer: Paul (13 letters are attributed to him)
- Who was the writer of the Gospel that focuses on Jesus’ miracles and the deity of Christ? Answer: John (John 20:30-31)
- Who was the writer of the Gospel that focuses on Jesus’ lineage and the humanity of Christ? Answer: Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17)
- Who was the writer of the Gospel that focuses on Jesus’ ministry and the compassion of Christ? Answer: Mark (Mark 1:1)
- Who was the writer of the Gospel that focuses on Jesus’ life and the impartiality of Christ? Answer: Luke (Luke 1:1-4)
- Who was the writer of the book of Revelation and the last book of the Bible? Answer: John (Revelation 1:1-4)
Section 2: The Authority and Inspiration of the Bible
Now that we have established our basic biblical knowledge, let’s delve into the core principles that govern our understanding of the Bible as the Word of God.
- Does the Bible claim to be the Word of God and divinely inspired (or “God-breathed”)? Answer: Yes, the Bible asserts that it is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Is it acceptable to add scriptures to the Bible that do not appear in the original text and create our own version of the Bible that suits our needs? Answer: No, the Bible warns against adding or taking away from the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19). We should rely on the original texts as the authoritative source of divine truth.
- Does the Bible teach that Christianity is just one way to heaven among many? Answer: No, Jesus declared that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no one comes to the Father except through” Him (John 14:6).
- Did Jesus ever refer to Himself as God in any way? Answer: Yes, Jesus claimed to be God, and His followers affirmed this belief, as evidenced in various passages such as John 10:30, John 8:58, and Colossians 2:9.
- Are the song lyrics “I time to heal, a time to die” made up or from scripture? Answer: The song “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” by Pete Seeger uses the Scripture “a time to heal, a time to die” in its lyrics. The song is based on the biblical passage Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which reflects on the different seasons and events in life, emphasizing that there is a time for everything under the sun. The song has been covered by various artists, including The Byrds, who popularized it in the 1960s.
Section 3: The Challenge of Discerning Extra-Biblical References
With a solid understanding of the authority and inspiration of the Bible, we can now begin to identify the challenges of discerning extra-biblical references in the teachings of those who claim to be experts in biblical knowledge.
- Did the Ark contain only two of each animal? Answer: NO, according to the Bible, Noah took two of every kind of animal into the ark (Genesis 6:19-20). BUT Gen 7:2 says ” Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.”
- Is any of the following a scripture reference?
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet),
“A penny saved is a penny earned” (common English proverb)
“A stitch in time saves nine” (common proverb).
Section 4: Identifying Extra-Biblical References
Now that we have established the importance of staying true to the Scriptures, let’s test our ability to identify extra-biblical references and teachings that may not have the same authority and accuracy as the Bible.
- How many names of angels do we know from Scripture? Answer: The Bible explicitly mentions the names of only two angels: Michael (Jude 1:9) and Gabriel (Luke 1:19). (Not counting Lucifer)
- Is Metatron a name from the Bible of an angel? Answer: No, Metatron is not mentioned in the Bible. It is a name found in Jewish mysticism and apocryphal texts.
- Can people become angels? Answer: No, the Bible does not support the idea that humans can become angels. Angels and humans are distinct creations of God, each with their own roles and purposes (Hebrews 2:7).
- Can someone having a dream or vision of heaven make their words as strong as the Bible? Answer: No, while God may reveal Himself through dreams and visions, these experiences should not be considered equal to the inspired Scriptures. The Bible is the ultimate authority for Christian beliefs and teachings (2 Peter 1:19-21).
- Can someone who teaches extra-biblical knowledge as if it were Scripture be considered a biblical teacher? Answer: No, a true biblical teacher should adhere to the authority and teachings of the Scriptures, avoiding the incorporation of non-biblical ideas and teachings that may distort the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
How did you do on this quiz? What does your Bible Teacher think of this quiz?
As we have journeyed through the Bible Teacher Challenge, we have learned the importance of staying true to the Scriptures and discerning extra-biblical references in the teachings of those who claim to be experts in biblical knowledge. By evaluating our own understanding of the Bible and the teachings of popular teachers and preachers, we can ensure that we are building our faith on a solid foundation of God’s Word.
In closing, let us remember the wise words of the Apostle Paul, who urged his fellow believers to “test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). As we strive to grow in our knowledge of the Bible, may we always seek to discern the truth and avoid the pitfalls of extra-biblical teachings that may lead us astray.
