Comments on: Helping People Trust Their Bibles – Part 2

By: Peter Mead

Peter Mead — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 07:54:50 +0000

AndyD – I haven’t used this particular and specific text, but I have used similar wording and think it went over well (can we ever be certain how something has been received by a mixed group, or even with those that give feedback?)

I agree with your concern. There is always the danger that extra information will distract from the main point of the sermon (I think we could improve our preaching if we took that truth seriously). I suppose I would look at it this way: If the omission of verse 4 would undermine their confidence in their Bible, then that needs to be addressed in some way or else the main point of the sermon (and subsequent sermons) is already undermined. The same would be true with the added references to “earliest” manuscripts in John 8 and Mark 16. In a church context, I think it is vital that we build their confidence in their Bibles, irrespective of whether the message is primarily focused on that issue (recognizing the danger of undermining the main point of the message).

By: Shrode

Shrode — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:39:38 +0000

Peter,
Thank you so much for this.

This is good.

The best part may be your tone. Very nicely done. Thank you. I think you can use this….

By: AndyD

AndyD — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:27:30 +0000

Thanks for that example. Have you tried this in a sermon? And how did you find it went? While I would want my congregation to learn this stuff, I would worry that it would distract them from the point of the sermon…unless the point of the sermon is that we can trust our Bibles. What are your thoughts around that?

By: Alan Stoddard

Alan Stoddard — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:00:28 +0000

Love that Peter. Excellent my friend. Most want to ignore what you have treated with grace and scholarship. And you did it with clarity. Thanks man!