One of the most perplexing questions today is, Why do so many people see the Bible differently? Why is it that two people can look at the same passage and reach different conclusions about what it teaches? Surely, we would all agree that it is not because God did not communicate His will in an adequate way?The problem lies within man. When one approaches the Scriptures, he often brings with him his own personal history, prejudices, and background. These can blind one to the truth. Of course, there are many reasons that lend one to misinterpret the Scriptures, but one of the most prevalent is that of using the Bible to prove a particular doctrine.
The Bible is not a book that is to be used to prove doctrine; it is doctrine. One should study the Bible to learn what it teaches. But far too often, the Bible is studied in an attempt to justify certain presuppositions and doctrines.
The following is a true story that illustrates the point that I am attempting to make: "Jacob Ditzler and J.S. Sweeny (a gospel preacher) were having a debate on the Scriptural mode of baptism. Ditzler showed that a secondary meaning (per modern definition) of the word "baptize" was "to sprinkle." In reply, brother Sweeney showed a secondary meaning of the word "believe" (per modern definition) was "to have an opinion," and a secondary meaning of the word "saved" (per modern definition) was to "be pickled." Then he gave the resulting translation of Mark 16:16: He that hath an opinion and is sprinkled shall be pickled. Then he raised the valid question, Is it our aim to see what we can make out of the Scriptures, or is it our aim to find out what God has said?
Far too much is at stake for us to play games with the Bible.
