V. Disputes over Differences in the Interpretation of Certain Bible Verses
I am not well-versed with the Bible, but out of necessity I share here my understanding
concerning the origin of Satan.
5.1 The origin of Satan
1. Why did Preacher YM look into this special topic?
-a. In 1999, as a special topic for study, the IA assigned Elder ST Hsieh and
Preacher YM Yang to do research on the origin of Satan.
-b. Consider:
--i. At the time, the church already had a view on the origin of Satan (namely, that Satan was
a fallen angel).
--ii. If the church had been so certain of this view, the IA would not have assigned two
workers to do research on this established “fact” as a special topic.
--iii. By this simple inference, I would guess that the IA at the time was actually not very
certain of the view that Satan had originally been a fallen angel. This is why the IA had
assigned Elder ST Hsieh and Preacher YM Yang to do research on this as a special topic;
the IA and church were hoping to hear a new perspective and commentary on the topic.
--iv. When, acting in accordance with the IA’s instruction, Preacher YM Yang thought about
this question, did research on it and presented his new perspectives and ideas at the IA
TRC. Certain TRC members immediately accused Pr. YM of going against the "basic
beliefs" of the true church!
--v. Think about it: is this reaction an appropriate way of discussing the Bible in the church?
Given such a mentality and culture how are the teachings of the Bible to be discussed
during Bible studies and family services?
2. Both Preacher Yang’s and the IA’s explanations (theories) of the origin of Satan are
not in accordance with the Bible and are incorrect.
a. I am not very well-versed in the Bible, but I hold a simple and firm belief about it: the entire
Bible is a record of God’s word and is from God; therefore, there cannot be any contradictions
whatsoever within the Bible.
b. Based on this truth, it would not be very difficult for us to examine whether someone’s
explanation (exegesis) of a certain topic in the Bible is in accordance with the will of the Lord.
c. Take for example the origin of Satan: If someone were to propose a theory on the origin of Satan,
but discovers that his theory is unable to explain ALL the verses in the Bible concerning the
devil, sin, evil and the nature of God, this clearly shows that
--i. this theory was not originally intended by God and is not from God,
--ii. this theory was derived, invented and constructed by man and is incorrect.
d. Preacher Yang’s new theory on the origin of Satan cannot fully explain all the verses in the
Bible concerning the devil, evil, sin and the nature of God. Hence, Preacher Yang’s theory is a
human invention and construction and is incorrect; Pr. YM Yang's view and theory is not God’s
explanation, nor was it originally intended by Him.
e. Similarly, the traditional view of our church on the origin of Satan cannot fully explain all the
verses in the Bible concerning the devil, evil, sin and the nature of God. Hence, this traditional
view (theory) is also a human invention and construction and is incorrect; our church's
traditional view (theory) on the origin of Satan is not God’s explanation, nor was it originally
intended by Him.
3. How should both parties handle the dispute over the origin of Satan?
a. Since both parties’ theories/explanations are not in accordance with the Bible, the IA should not
insist that “the church’s traditional view is correct, and Preacher YM Yang’s new theory is
incorrect”, or issue edicts or correspondences claiming so. In so doing, the IA is deceiving both
itself and others.
b. By the same token, since both parties’ theories are incorrect, Preacher YM Yang should similarly
not insist that his theory is correct and that the church’s view on this issue is incorrect. In so doing,
he would also be deceiving both himself and others.
c. In future, if someone were to ask us where Satan came from, we should honestly and humbly reply
that the Bible does not speak clearly about this issue; it is one of the many mysteries of God
contained in the Bible, and no man can know the answer to this mystery.
4. The Bible contains many mysteries of God; man cannot find the answers to these
mysteries through his own knowledge and learning.
a. Even if a person were to spend all his time, energy and money in studying the mysteries of God
contained / described in the Bible, he would not be able to find the answers, because being
created by God, it is impossible for man to know the mysteries of his Creator.
b. If a person were to insist on explaining these mysteries using his own knowledge and skill, he
would fall into the trap of misinterpreting the word of God, or even be guilty of the sin of
adding to or subtracting from the word of God (Rev 22:18–19).
5. The mysteries of God contained in the Bible have nothing to do with salvation; the
church should not discuss or argue over such topics which do not have correct and
clear answers.
a. The God we worship is an honest, upright, righteous and perfect God.
--i. God states very clearly in the Bible what mankind should know and should do in order to
be saved; there are absolutely no ambiguities in His instructions on these topics and
requirements.
--ii. As God is an honest, upright, righteous and perfect God, He would not require man to do
anything that He did not stipulate or that He did not provide clear instructions about.
--iii. Based on the nature of God described above, we can gather that since the Bible does not
state clearly where Satan has come from, the origin of Satan
----1) has nothing to do with salvation
----2) is one of the many mysteries of God contained in the Bible.
b. If members or truth-seekers were to ask us
--1) where Satan has come from or
--2) other questions to which the Bible does not provide clear answers, we should humbly, honestly and directly answer that we do not know the answers to such questions because the Bible does not speak clearly about
them.
No comments:
Post a Comment