Q - Most quarrels of Bible readers are based on the details of the Laws and teachings of prophets and the disciples and the different interpretations that are made from them. How can these differences be resolved?
A - Religious/doctrinal quarrels would end, or at least be minimized if only people obeyed Jesus.
Consider:
Consider:
Matthew 5:18 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
18 Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.
18 Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.
* Jesus says that the Law is forever.
- - - - -
Matthew 5:17 (CEV)
17 Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets.[a] I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.
Matthew 5:17 (CEV)
17 Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets.[a] I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.
* Jesus says he came not to abolish the Law but to
- give the Law its full meaning.
- explain/expound the Law.
- interpret and apply the Law.
- give the Law its full meaning.
- explain/expound the Law.
- interpret and apply the Law.
- - - - -
Matthew 22:37-40 (CEV)
37 Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets[a] are based on these two commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40 (CEV)
37 Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets[a] are based on these two commandments.
* Jesus sums up the basis of all the Law and the teachings of the Prophets: Love God and people.
Note:
The basis, not the details, of the Law and the Prophets was what Jesus emphasized.
The basis, not the details, of the Law and the Prophets was what Jesus emphasized.
The basis is only one and it is clear: Love. It unifies.
The details are many; comparing and contrasting them could be complex.
Details of the Law and the Prophets could
- divide.
- cause quarrels and fights.
The details are many; comparing and contrasting them could be complex.
Details of the Law and the Prophets could
- divide.
- cause quarrels and fights.
- - - - -
John 13:34-35 (CEV)
34 But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
John 13:34-35 (CEV)
34 But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
* Jesus not only
-redefines
- reinterprets
- reshapes - all the Law and the Prophets; he removes all of it's divisive details and retains only its unifying basis and purpose: Love.
-redefines
- reinterprets
- reshapes - all the Law and the Prophets; he removes all of it's divisive details and retains only its unifying basis and purpose: Love.
- - - - -
Matthew 24:35 (CEV)
35 The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.
Matthew 24:35 (CEV)
35 The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.
* Jesus' words
= The restated and fulfilled Law and the Prophets
= Love
= The restated and fulfilled Law and the Prophets
= Love
.: Stop focusing on detailed and divisive doctrines.
Focus on love.
Focus on love.
If a teaching divides and causes quarrels, cruelty and hatred, it is not
- Love.
- of Jesus.
- the Law and the Prophets.
- of God.
- Love.
- of Jesus.
- the Law and the Prophets.
- of God.
- - - - -
Titus 3:1-11 (CEV)
3 Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.
4 God our Savior showed us
how good and kind he is.
5 He saved us because
of his mercy,and not becauseof any good things
that we have done.
God washed us by the power
of the Holy Spirit.He gave us new birth
and a fresh beginning.
6 God sent Jesus Christour Savior to give us his Spirit.
7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.He made us acceptable to Godand gave us the hope of eternal life.
8 This message is certainly true.
These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds. 9 But don’t have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
10 Warn troublemakers once or twice. Then don’t have anything else to do with them. 11 You know that their minds are twisted, and their own sins show how guilty they are.
Titus 3:1-11 (CEV)
3 Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.
4 God our Savior showed us
how good and kind he is.
5 He saved us because
of his mercy,and not becauseof any good things
that we have done.
God washed us by the power
of the Holy Spirit.He gave us new birth
and a fresh beginning.
6 God sent Jesus Christour Savior to give us his Spirit.
7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.He made us acceptable to Godand gave us the hope of eternal life.
8 This message is certainly true.
These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds. 9 But don’t have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
10 Warn troublemakers once or twice. Then don’t have anything else to do with them. 11 You know that their minds are twisted, and their own sins show how guilty they are.
* People should stop religious quarrels!
- - - - -
1 John 4:7-8 (CEV)
7 My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. 8 God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.
1 John 4:7-8 (CEV)
7 My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. 8 God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.
* Anyone who quarrels for doctrine ---who does not love because of "doctrine"--- disobeys the most important doctrine of all: the doctrine of love. 1 John says that doctrine warriors who don't love others do not really know God.
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