This Debate Is Over

I believe that this chapter is the most important chapter in this book. Finally, there is a verified, ironclad, biblical way to determine whether or not these theological systems are indeed scriptural. Every God-fearing Christian knows that whatever he or she believes must be found in scripture. Each one of these groups has supported its theological system by using the scripture. For every point within their system, they have scripture that seems to support it. They also have a number of scriptures that seem to refute the points of the opposing view. Sometimes this can make it incredibly difficult to determine which view is best supported by scripture. There are even people who once preached against one systematic view and are now preaching for the systematic view they once opposed.

That’s how hard it can be to determine which systematic view is biblical. All the theological systems in this debate seem to have biblically accurate views. For 400 years, the groups involved in this debate have been saying they all believe in true Christianity (the positive statement). They all believe the essentials and believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. Every view has been able to claim belief in the Christian doctrines. They just debate and disagree on how people arrive at true salvation. One group says 1+2=3, the other group says 2+1=3, but they all come up with the same answer: 3.

We know we’re instructed to search the scriptures to see if those things are so. How can we do that when every systematic view claims to be supported by scripture?

The two normal approaches taken in this debate to see if a view is biblical or not are as follows.

• Proof texting involves supporting our points by giving scripture that proves the claim being made.
• Refutation involves showing scriptures that invalidate claims made by the opposing group.

This has been the typical approach used in this debate: thinking that if one point fails then the whole system fails. Has either side been able to prove the other side wrong? No, and they never will be able to because the other side always has an explanation or defense that seems to be biblical. Leighton Flowers once said, “For every Greek argument or exegetical commentary on any particular verse that a Calvinist has you can find just as many if not more from the non-Calvinist if you’re willing to do your homework.” This is just one example of the view that the Bible proves one view just as much as it does another view. This has been going on for centuries between these theological systems. The flaw is in the approach. How can we finally come to the truth? God has given us the right approach in the Word of God.

That’s what makes this chapter the most important chapter of this book. Our approach is different and more in line with what we are actually instructed to do by scripture. Paul instructs us in many passages on how to deal with the Word of God. I’d like to focus on two of them here. In Acts 17:11, Paul writes, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” What was it that caused the Bereans to be “more noble” than those in Thessalonica? They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and then searched the scriptures daily to see if those things were so. Notice that to determine if the things were true or not, they actually searched the scriptures daily; they didn’t just simply listen to Paul. Here we are told that we have to compare what we are being told with what the scripture teaches. All the theological systems can agree with this fact.