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The Letter
Answering Department
...aren't
those letters just opinions?
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In the
Audio Bible Studies section of this site we are conducting a survey
of the
Letter Answering Department which is a database of all the letters
we have for answering Bible questions from members and the public.
We currently have in excess of four-hundred and fifty such letters
posted. Before we are done with the survey we will be adding an
additional three-hundred or so.
I recently heard a comment made that these letters were laced with the
opinions of the ministers who originated them. Is this true?
Does the ministry answer Bible questions with opinions? Are the
letters, papers, Bible studies and sermons ministers write subjective or
objective? Just what is the definition of the word, "opinion"
anyway?
The church can, in no way, work on opinion. Virtually any subject of
discussion from the ministry has to be based on one or more of the
following;
1. Word of God
2. Doctrine…which is actually the Word of God but speaking here to our
doctrinal statements—what we believe from the Word of God
3. Biblical principles.
4.
Spirit-driven conclusion based on the Word of God.
I took one of our letters totally at random.
Subject is
The Kingdom and Eternal Life [take a
moment to read the letter].
Question: What will we be doing for eternity in the Kingdom of
God?
Clearly a non-salvation-related subject. However, we will use the above
four elements to answer it.
Notice the construct of the letter. First we flatly state that we do
not know what we are going to be doing for eternity. We show this by
stating that man cannot comprehend being outside of time. We use
figures such as “10 Trillion” and a “Google” years. How can a
human answer what we will be doing that many years into eternity?
Clearly we cannot answer the primary question of what we will be doing
for eternity. We can, however, offer a list of elements the Bible
does speak to regarding eternity in the Kingdom of God.
We use eight [8] scriptures and the technique of “Statement-Scripture.”
The scriptures state what we know.
We know there will be New Heavens and New Earth from
Revelation 21-22.
We know from Psalm 90:2
there is eternal existence.
We know from Daniel 4:3
that the kingdom is everlasting.
We know from Isaiah 64:4
that man cannot imagine what God has in store for us. Again answering
the initial question.
We confirm this with 1 Corinthians
2:9-12.
We know from 1 Corinthians 13:12-13
that we see through a glass darkly. Again answering the initial
question.
The letter then gives Romans 8:24
and Titus 1:1-2
that speak to our hope of the Kingdom. Hope is a fruit of the Holy
Spirit. Firstfruits have the Holy Spirit in them. We know
that wisdom and knowledge are imparted via the Holy Spirit. Most
all knowledge and wisdom imparted by God to the firstfruit is based in
the Word of God which is Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).
The letter next gives broad areas which will be involved in the Kingdom
of God and this thing called eternity.
The list is based on specific scriptures and Spirit-driven logic or
conclusion based on those scriptures and the entire scope of the Bible.
1] Relationships. With God,
Christ, the angelic realm and with each other.
2] Learning. We will never stop
learning.
3] Exploration and Experiencing. God
has a Universe He wants to show and share with us.
4] Creation. God never stops
creating. We will witness this for eternity and give God praise.
5] Responsibility and Position. God
has plans for each one of us.
6] Celebration. For one thing, we
will continue to keep the Holy Days and the Feast of Tabernacles.
7] Spiritual growth and increase.
For ourselves, the Family and the entire Universe.
I would, at this point,
ask the gainsayer which of these items is opinion. Does he or anyone
have a problem with any of these listed broad areas?
The person in question called the Letter Answering Department
“opinion.” Let me show you how this is a damnable accusation and a
damnable lie.
Look at the primary definition of “opinion”:
Opinion:
a belief or
conclusion held with confidence
but not substantiated by
positive knowledge or proof.
If the church or ministry offered opinion [by
this definition]
regarding Bible questions or sermons, it would border on an Abomination
before Almighty God.
There is an adage I found about opinions: “The fewer the facts, the
stronger the opinion.” Is the Word of God and therefore the church
without any facts?
Garner Ted Armstrong often stated that when a person makes an accusation
and especially a damning accusation, he or she is probably guilty of the
very same thing. Why would a person look at a church web site and call
it opinion? When a person states that something is “opinion” he is
saying, “I do not believe it and/or I do not hold that belief or
conclusion.
Another definition I found for “opinion” is from Wikipedia on
Answers.com and states: “In general, an opinion is a
subjective
belief, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts. As Mr.
Armstrong states in a video clip at our
EA web site: “I have
no interpretation. I never interpret the Bible; never have, never
will. The Bible interprets the Bible.” Listen to his words
yourself by clicking
here.
The word “subjective” in the above definition refers to a person and his
or her perspective, feelings, beliefs and desires. It is the opposite
of “objective”
which means “uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices. In the
case of the Letter Answering Department, “Having actual existence or
reality. Of or having to do with a material object." Our beliefs and
doctrine are based in reality. They exist. They are objects; spiritual
objects---real (John 17:17; Psalm 119:151-152; Psalm 12:6; Ephesians
4:21 and 2 Timothy 2:25-26).
The preaching of the Word of God must be objective. The object is the
Word of God. We preach something that is real, that is true and free of
opinion, emotion, guesswork, personal interpretation or subjectivity.
Psalm
19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the
LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there
is great reward.
These verses describe the Letter Answering Department and the ministers
of Jesus Christ who write them.
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