Here is something on which to chew…
You are asked to speak at some Christian function. You know that those in the audience are not that deep in the Word. You know that they will probably not have the skill or desire to check out what you say. Does it matter if what you share is Biblical? Why or why not?
If it matters, who bears the responsibility for your speaking unbiblically? You or the person who asked you to speak?
If it matters, who bears the responsibility for your speaking unbiblically? You or the person who asked you to speak?
To answer your question, let us come to terms first.
ReplyDeleteI define 'biblical' as something in agreement with the truth revealed in the Bible.
The same truth can be shared from different perspective: one may appeal to logic, conscience, law of the land, culture, the Bible, depending on receptivity of the listeners. Apostle Paul adapted to the listeners, 1 Cor 9:20-23.
I think, it does matter that we share the truth. It doesn't matter if we share it necessarily from the Bible.
Now, the context of your post suggests (and I may be wrong) that you ask,
"Does it matter if what you share is Biblical?" meaning "Should I share from the Bible with some _Christian_ the audience little familiar with the Word?"
If so, I would definitely speak to Christians from the Word, but in a way that would wet their appetite and encourage them to follow the example of Bereans, Acts 17:11.
"You can bring a horse to water. You can't force a horse to drink," -- someone said. -- "But you can give it some salt to lick and thus make it thirsty". :)
Good answer
DeleteBut you did not answer the second question...
DeleteThis is obvious -- the one who speaks unbibilcally, Romans 14:12.
ReplyDeleteSure. However, 1 Timothy 5:22 says that if we lay hands on people too soon we share responsibility for their sin. I have been in many meetings where a believer who was either young in the Lord or else unprepared to speak did so. At one event there were thousands of people present and the speaker was a new believer who was famous in another area. What he shared from the platform was not just unbiblical but heretical.
DeleteIn each of those cases those who put people in the position to speak, share responsibility for what they share according to 1 Timothy 5:22.
In case with a young believer allowed to speak publicly, I agree. Thanks for pointing it out.
DeleteCorrection
If heresy was proclaimed publicly, I bet, it should be corrected publicly. Still can be corrected gently. Good if the one who was mistaken could come back, apologize and admit his fault. Else others could do that on his behalf, admitting their part in allowing the fault. All for the sake of God's glory and edifying the saints, Romans 15:1-3.