ACBC Theology Exam | Question #3

                                                                                                       

     What is the Bible’s authority on theological controversies?

This is an oversimplified conclusion; but there would not be theological controversies if the Bible was held in its’ proper place of authority.  As discussed in the above questions, we find it true that God’s Word, the Bible is inspired by Him, is infallible, and authoritative.  So, then there shouldn’t be controversy…. Right? 

We know full well there are.  Obviously, unsaved people are opposed to Biblical theology.  2 Corinthians 4:4 says of them, “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  In counseling an unsaved person, the objective must first be their salvation.  Without Christ any real lasting change is impossible because our hearts are wicked, and hopeless without Him.  But, “the sacred texts… are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation…” (2 Tim. 3:15) which is good news, and the hope that every unbelieving counselee needs to hear.

Within the church, the Body of Christ, controversies cause division, are the basis of different denominations, and must be handled with biblical wisdom.  Controversies arise when the Bible is interpreted wrongly, or when human opinion is forced onto Scripture (and Scripture is taken out of context to make it “work”).  1 Timothy 4:1 warns, “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”.  Deceptive theology is dealt with throughout Scripture, and are not hard to find today.

In counseling, it is important to establish the authority of the Bible at the outset as authoritative and to stick with it throughout the whole counselling process.  If a theological controversy arises, by all means a study should be done by the counselee with the help of the counselor to help them come to the truth using the Word which is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).  As all conflict should be handled, it is important that it is done in humility, love, and with the motivation to restore the counselee to a Biblical understanding/and or lifestyle as the situation requires as outlined in  Ephesians 4:14-15;  “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ”.