Appendix G

Bible Texts Can Be Used to Prove Lies

By taking Bible texts out of their context and isolating them from the rest of the Bible, it is possible to prove almost any lie. In this way, false cults have used the Bible to prove the lie that there is no everlasting punishment for the wicked, but that the wicked will be annihilated or destroyed. Malachi 4:1, 3; Isaiah 1:28; Psalm 145:20; Rom. 9:22. False cults have used the Bible to prove the lie that after death men cease to exist. Eccl. 3:19, Eccl 9:5-6. They have used the Bible to prove the lie that Jesus was created by God and was not the divine and eternally existing Son of God. Col. 1:15, Rev. 3:14.

The Bible can be used to prove the most frightening of lies. It can be used to prove the lie that God is the creator and originator of evil and that men sin because God hardens their hearts and makes them sin. Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6; Ex. 4:21; Ex. 10:1, 20, 27; Ex. 11:10; Ex. 14:17; Deut. 2:30; Rom. 9:18.

The Bible can be used to prove the lie that the Christian who turns from God and commits just one sin is hopelessly doomed--that he can never be forgiven and restored to God again.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb. 6:4-6

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb. 10:25-27.

Now the above two texts, standing alone and without reference to their context and the teaching of the whole Bible, would teach conclusively that the Christian who willfully sins or backslides is doomed to judgment without any chance of forgiveness or restoration.

Another lie that can be proved with the Bible is that it is impossible for the Christian to sin, and that if he does commit sin, it shows that he never really was a Christian and never really knew God.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. I John 3:6

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. I John 3:9

The above two verses, when taken by themselves, and without reference to the rest of the Bible, clearly teach that a Christian cannot sin, and that if he does sin, it shows that he never really knew God in the first place.

So, by ripping texts from their context and isolating them from the rest of the Bible and thus breaking the two most fundamental rules of sound Biblical interpretation--that texts must be interpreted in their context and that no text can be interpreted in such a way as to be in manifest contradiction with the clear teachings of the rest of the Bible--it is possible to prove any lie, even the lie of original sin.

 

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