My Thoughts. . .

Monday, September 9, 2019

Have you ever noticed how we unconsciously add our assumptions to passages we’re studying in the Bible?

In John 8:11 Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman was:  “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

Do we take that statement at face value and keep our assumptions to ourselves, or do we feel there is a need to supply something to complete the story?

What about?  “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.  If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic” (Luke 6:29; Matthew 5:39)?

Do we supply any assumptions to those two Jesus commands?

What about the passage where the apostles inform Jesus concerning their status with, “‘Lord, look, here are two swords,” and he replies to them, “It is enough” (Luke 22:38)?

How about Paul’s statement to the plagued ridden church of God in Corinth?

“Women should remain silent in the churches.  They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35).

What do we assume that passage needs to be completed, or something subtracted to be adequately understood?

Are our assumptions needed?  If we add them, does it involve us in a contradiction?  If one person has the authority to add his assumptions, why wouldn’t another have that same freedom?  By adding our assumptions, aren’t we making truth relative rather than absolute?