John MacArthur recently posted on the importance of studying Scripture in search of the inspired meaning of the text rather than in seeking what it means “to me.” Here is an excerpt…
“What does it mean “to me”?
That’s a fashionable concern, judging from the trends in devotional booklets, home Bible study discussions, Sunday-school literature, and most popular preaching.
The question of what Scripture means has taken a back seat to the issue of what it means “to me.”
The difference may seem insignificant at first. Nevertheless, our obsession with the Scripture’s applicability reflects a fundamental weakness. We have adopted practicality as the ultimate judge of the worth of God’s Word. We bury ourselves in passages that overtly relate to daily living, and ignore those that don’t.…”
You can read the rest here http://www.shepherdsfellowship.org/pulpit/posts.aspx?ID=4145 .
I recently purchased a book by Ron Martoia titled Static. I did so ignorantly, not realizing that he was part of the Emerging Church. Now there is one thing I agree with him on in his book; the necessity to define our terms correctly. But we must not compromise the word of God. We must not try to soft pedal it to ‘appeal to the masses’ so to speak. And while the scriptures speak to us individually, they are not open to ones private interpretation for “Holy men of old wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” and as such the Word of God is profitable for teaching, rebuke, correction and training in righteousness, that the man of God may become thoroughly equipped for every good work! Great post!
Soli Deo Gloria
Mike Leonard
Amen!
I would highly recommend Dr. Al Mohler’s message from the 2009 Shepherds Conference entitled “Authority in Preaching.” It touches on what you are talking about in your comment. Great stuff! Very encouraging. You can download it from the Shepherds Fellowship.
Sola Scriptura!!!