ReformedChristian
Puritan Board Freshman
Recently, I came across an article entitled “10 Things That Aren’t in your Bible” this article is written from a so called Progressive Christian perspective, from reading the article one gets the impression that the author is trying to downplay the authority of Scripture, given the author’s progressive views, it should be no surprise that they would interpret the text from a Post-Modern Perspective. Therefore in this written up I hope to address many of the assumptions and claims that the writer presupposes and to give a defense of the truth of God’s Word (1st Peter 3:15). Let us now examine their points.
1. The Rapture
The first claim the author makes is that the idea of the rapture is not found in Scripture. While it is true that the word Rapture is not found in the Scripture, the concept of being caught up with Christ is alluded to in the Old and New Testament in terms of the resurrection
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”
Daniel 12:2-3 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
1st Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1st Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
2. Scripture does not speak on the issue of same sex issues
The author makes the claim that the Scriptures say nothing on the issues of same-sex marriage, when it does the writer claims these passages simply involve abuse and coercion. However we see that there are various places in Scripture where Jesus affirms marriage based upon the Creation Mandate:
Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,”And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;”And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.”What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
If the writer seeks to dismiss even those passages related to the Old Testament, what about those laws that speak against incest and beastiality? (Leviticus 18:6-20; 23)
3. Violent Jesus
The author on this point makes the claim that the Jesus Christians believe is non-judgemental, yet he also admits that Jesus did get angry and flip table. So it seems the writer is contradicting their own position. He even accuses others of eisegeting the text, when in fact it is him who is doing the very thing he accuses others. In addition, Scripture is clear that when Christ returns He will indeed judge the World:
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:”
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
4. Women Can’t Be Pastors
On this point the author admits that the Scripture limits the leadership of women in the Church, but then turns around and says to forbid women pastors is to read in the text. The problem is that the concept of women not being pastors is not a New Testament concept, but it reaches back into the Old Testament:
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Ezekiel 34:31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
In addition, the author makes the assertion that Phobe was a pastor at the church of Roman (Romans 16:1-2). However there is nothing in the text which asserts she had a pastoral role. Paul simply cause her a fellow sister and servant of Christ. If she did serve in the Church it was most likely to help other woman (1st Timothy 5:9-10; 16; James 1:27).
5. Going to Heaven
The author is partly correct on this issue, as noted in my response to his first question the Scriptures teach a final resurrection of the dead. However, Scripture also teaches that until that time, a believer who dies their spirit returns to God:
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
2nd Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Phillipians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
6.The Bible is Inerrant
Here the author makes the claim that the Bible never claims to be the Word of God, but rather when Scripture mentions the Word it is always in reference to Christ. The problem is that the writer is setting up a false dichotomy. It must be recognized that the Scriptures are the written Word, and Jesus is the revealed Word in which it points.
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
John 5:46-47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;”
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
2nd Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
7. Jesus Affirms Everything in the Old Testament
Here the writer again contradicts his own position, on the one hand he affirms that Christ did indeed quote from the Old Testament, but then turns around and says Jesus is creative in putting his own spin on it. In fact contrary to our author, Jesus was actually correcting the Pharisees and their twisting of it by adding their own tradition, you can see my article here on the subject:
https://christophercunningham.substack.com/p/did-Jesus-break-the-sabbath
8. Jesus’ Death Assuages the Wrath of God
The author claims that a Christian understanding of the atonement is not biblical, he admits that the Scriptures do teach sacrificial language, but then turns around and states that this a Reformed understanding of the concept. What he does not seem to understand is that the Reformed view recognizes various aspects of the atonement, you can see that here:
It is not only historical, but it is also found in early Jewish literature:
https://christophercunningham.substack.com/p/substitutionary-atonement-in-early
9. Don’t Have Sex Until Marriage
This point is quite absurd, the writer on one hand tells the reader not to be careless in sexual matters, but then argues that nowhere does Scripture teach it is a sin to have sex before marriage and provides no Scriptural backing for their claims, a simple examing of various text proves this to be false:
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,”And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;”And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.”What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Malachi 2:14-15 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
1st Corinthians 7:2; 9 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
10. Mary Magdalene Was a Prostitute
I agree with this point, no Scripture denotes her being a prostitute this is a confusion between Mary Magdalene and the women found in Luke 7. The women in Luke is not even named.
1. The Rapture
The first claim the author makes is that the idea of the rapture is not found in Scripture. While it is true that the word Rapture is not found in the Scripture, the concept of being caught up with Christ is alluded to in the Old and New Testament in terms of the resurrection
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”
Daniel 12:2-3 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
1st Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1st Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
2. Scripture does not speak on the issue of same sex issues
The author makes the claim that the Scriptures say nothing on the issues of same-sex marriage, when it does the writer claims these passages simply involve abuse and coercion. However we see that there are various places in Scripture where Jesus affirms marriage based upon the Creation Mandate:
Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,”And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;”And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.”What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
If the writer seeks to dismiss even those passages related to the Old Testament, what about those laws that speak against incest and beastiality? (Leviticus 18:6-20; 23)
3. Violent Jesus
The author on this point makes the claim that the Jesus Christians believe is non-judgemental, yet he also admits that Jesus did get angry and flip table. So it seems the writer is contradicting their own position. He even accuses others of eisegeting the text, when in fact it is him who is doing the very thing he accuses others. In addition, Scripture is clear that when Christ returns He will indeed judge the World:
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:”
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
4. Women Can’t Be Pastors
On this point the author admits that the Scripture limits the leadership of women in the Church, but then turns around and says to forbid women pastors is to read in the text. The problem is that the concept of women not being pastors is not a New Testament concept, but it reaches back into the Old Testament:
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Ezekiel 34:31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
In addition, the author makes the assertion that Phobe was a pastor at the church of Roman (Romans 16:1-2). However there is nothing in the text which asserts she had a pastoral role. Paul simply cause her a fellow sister and servant of Christ. If she did serve in the Church it was most likely to help other woman (1st Timothy 5:9-10; 16; James 1:27).
5. Going to Heaven
The author is partly correct on this issue, as noted in my response to his first question the Scriptures teach a final resurrection of the dead. However, Scripture also teaches that until that time, a believer who dies their spirit returns to God:
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
2nd Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Phillipians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
6.The Bible is Inerrant
Here the author makes the claim that the Bible never claims to be the Word of God, but rather when Scripture mentions the Word it is always in reference to Christ. The problem is that the writer is setting up a false dichotomy. It must be recognized that the Scriptures are the written Word, and Jesus is the revealed Word in which it points.
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
John 5:46-47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;”
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
2nd Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
7. Jesus Affirms Everything in the Old Testament
Here the writer again contradicts his own position, on the one hand he affirms that Christ did indeed quote from the Old Testament, but then turns around and says Jesus is creative in putting his own spin on it. In fact contrary to our author, Jesus was actually correcting the Pharisees and their twisting of it by adding their own tradition, you can see my article here on the subject:
https://christophercunningham.substack.com/p/did-Jesus-break-the-sabbath
8. Jesus’ Death Assuages the Wrath of God
The author claims that a Christian understanding of the atonement is not biblical, he admits that the Scriptures do teach sacrificial language, but then turns around and states that this a Reformed understanding of the concept. What he does not seem to understand is that the Reformed view recognizes various aspects of the atonement, you can see that here:
It is not only historical, but it is also found in early Jewish literature:
https://christophercunningham.substack.com/p/substitutionary-atonement-in-early
9. Don’t Have Sex Until Marriage
This point is quite absurd, the writer on one hand tells the reader not to be careless in sexual matters, but then argues that nowhere does Scripture teach it is a sin to have sex before marriage and provides no Scriptural backing for their claims, a simple examing of various text proves this to be false:
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,”And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;”And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.”What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Malachi 2:14-15 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
1st Corinthians 7:2; 9 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
10. Mary Magdalene Was a Prostitute
I agree with this point, no Scripture denotes her being a prostitute this is a confusion between Mary Magdalene and the women found in Luke 7. The women in Luke is not even named.
