*** SHOW NOTES (not fully edited or a transcript) ***

Lead:

Hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation. When it comes to kefuffles like John MacArthur’s comment about Beth Moore, how might we apply “life hermeneutics?”

Intro:

What do you do when somebody “out there” in the world says something controversial? And social media blows up with all kinds of comments? And it’s hard to know who to believe? And some part of it makes you angry or sad or hurt or all of the above?

In case you’re not aware, a prominent pastor and theologian, John MacArthur, was at a conference recently and was asked about speaker/author Beth Moore. I got a ping from a listener, and she was legitimately hurt and upset at the whole mess. Upon reflection, I thought I’d share during our All Our Minds segment a version of what I shared with her — and it might not be what you think, so I hope you’ll stick with me.

In our Bible segment yesterday we heard Paul’s argument that God’s saving promise was first to Israel, and today we finish up his argument that it’s always been intended for everyone and then move into the part of Romans where he starts delivering his one-two punches about what it means in terms of how we live out the Good News he’s been making a case for.

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Bible:

Passage: Romans 11-12
Translation: NLT (New Living Translation)
Verses: 57
Words: ~1246

All Our Minds:

What I’m not going to do today is analyze what John MacArthur said. On the surface — which is to say the stuff I’ve seen fly by on social media — it looks, at best, to be unbecoming in the humility and gentleness department. It doesn’t look good. But that’s part of my point — I don’t know, don’t have time to go investigate, and I think there’s something more foundational for us to think about. I’m going to call it “life hermeneutics.”

Hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation, so work with me here on an analogy. Today I want to draw upon one principle of hermeneutics — that you interpret something you’re less sure about in light of that which you’re more sure about. For instance, we don’t (or shouldn’t) go making hardcore doctrine out of some disputable passage at the end of the book of Mark about snake handling. Duh. What do we know for sure? Jesus rose from the dead, and I’m a sinner saved by grace through faith.

So if we interpret that which we are less sure about by that which we are more sure about when it comes to life and culture and John MacArthur and Beth Moore, what do we know with a high degree of certainty?

Regardless of where you fall on the idea of women as pastors, it isn’t an issue to divide over. So I like what Rupertus Meldenius said a long time ago: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
Gossip is never right. It’s always sin. End of story.
If there is sin, go to the person in private first. Then you go with witnesses, then you take it public. I’m just talking about what we know with clarity from Matthew 18:15-20. Yes, this was a public event, but we’re talking about where we begin interpretation from and don’t have a whole show to devote to nuance.
The aforementioned point is an internal issue. As my pastor likes to say, “The gospel is offensive enough, don’t make it more so.” Christians committing fratricide on social media is unbecoming.
The Enemy is a liar and accuser. He’s awesome at PR against the Kingdom of God. Be on your guard and do not be manipulated into doing stuff that benefits him.
If there is sin, the Holy Spirit is faithful to convict…up to a point. Notice the big IF statements here…IF John MacArthur is a man of God, and IF there was sin, he’ll repent and handle it. God sometimes “give people up” to their own junk (Ro 1:24), but I’m not in a position to comment on what MacArthur said — I’ve investigated none of it — and whether or not he’s a man of God or saved or sinned in what he said isn’t the point here.
We’re all sinners with a tendency towards judgmentalism. It’s why Jesus warned us to get the log out of our own eyes before confronting someone else. He wasn’t saying that we shouldn’t use judgment or be discerning or confront junk, he was telling us to do a heart check.
Are we building up or tearing down? The Gospel is about restored relationship. For unbelievers, it’s the good news of being reconciled to God. For believers, it’s about also reconciling that which is broken, including and especially with each other.

The bottom line

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. - Rupertus Meldenius

I don’t know what happened, I don’t have time to be an investigative reporter with or for you on this one. But what you and I can both do is be a beacon of speaking the truth in love of Jesus in a way the provides a different example from the people beating the snot out of each other on social media.

Wisdom:

Passage: Proverbs 11:1-13
Translation: NLT (New Living Translation)
Verses: 13
Words: ~208

Love you!

-R

ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.

Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.

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Today’s translation: NLT - New Living Translation

Not cited today, but one of my faves! —> Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

#923: Romans 11-12 | Life hermeneutics | Proverbs 11:1-13