Can we understand and agree on the Bible? How fair and just would God be to place man's salvation upon what is written, then give man "what is written” knowing all along that man could not understand it? (cf. Eph. 3:4; 5:17). We can agree on what is written, but we disagree about what the Bible does not say. Note these examples:
1. Ex. 3:1-3. GOD spoke to Moses out of a “bush that burned with fire.” We can agree it was a “burning bush,” but disagreement arises when we speculate on what kind of bush it was. The Bible is silent as to the kind of bush.
2. Jn. 3:1-2. We can agree that Nicodemus came to
Christ by night. However, disagreement comes when we force an opinion on “why”
he came by night. Unity comes on the clear statement “by night,” and disunity
comes when we try to make opinion a basis for unity.
3. Jn. 8:1-8. This scripture explicitly states that
Jesus “wrote on the ground.” What did He write? We do not know. The reason is
because the Bible does not declare it.
4. 2 Cor. 12:7-10. Much has been written about this thorn, and many opinions have been expressed as to what it is. We can agree Paul had a thorn because the Bible says so. We will never agree on what it was, because the Bible is silent about that.
The written word provides a universal standard whereby man can
live and be in unity with God and one another. While God's silence must be honored,
it does not authorize man to act on his own authority.
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