Which viewpoint is right?
Which viewpoint is right?
It happens all the time. Two Bible-believing people have
opposing viewpoints on a certain passage of Scripture. Both claim to have solid
supporting evidence in terms of context, cross-references and consistency. Both
make what they think are reasonable arguments for their interpretations. So how
can it be determined which viewpoint is right? And does it matter?
Using elementary logic, there are four possibilities regarding
accuracy. Either the first viewpoint is 100% right and the second is all wrong,
or the second interpretation is 100% right and the first is all wrong, or both
interpretations are partly right and partly wrong, or both are 100% wrong. But
again, how can it be determined which possibility is the right one? And does it
matter?
Based on probability, it is most likely that both viewpoints
are partly right and partly wrong. With the exception of clear-cut fundamental
Bible teaching -- sometimes called "first principles" -- no one has the full,
complete, all-aspects-covered answer.
For example, a Bible student can be 100% accurate in
interpreting the known evidence, but what about the unknown? Scripture is so
richly significant and interwoven that discovery of another aspect or
realization of another line of inquiry is just a matter of time. An avid Bible
student will never stop learning... which means there is always something more
to learn... which means that even the most diligent and knowledgeable student
doesn't understand it all... which means that even 99% rightness still has 1%
wrongness/incompleteness... which means that (with the exception of a true
"first principle") no one should be unalterably dogmatic on a matter. To be so
is mathematically insupportable, and presumptuous as well.
If we are spiritually growing as disciples of Christ, we are
continually growing in knowledge and understanding. God's Truth invites
investigation. So when encountering a different viewpoint, we should seize the
opportunity at least to understand the evidence provided. We can always learn
something, and if we're wise, we will adjust our own viewpoint
accordingly.
So what has all this to do with Bible prophecy? Simple. There
are many differing interpretations of prophetic Scripture. Which viewpoint is
right? The measuring stick for soundness and rightness must be God's Word. It's
that simple.
Now some readers may remember than many of the "other"
viewpoints cited Bible verses as evidence. That's correct. Thus it becomes a
matter of determining the relevance (does the text contain the same or similar
words and ideas?), validity (does it really support the point being argued?),
and clarity of the citation (is the reference self-explanatory, or does it, too,
need interpretation?). It's also a question of ensuring that the interpretation
is in harmony with undisputed fundamentals of Bible teaching. For example, if a
prophetic viewpoint is inconsistent with or contradicts well-known Bible facts
and doctrine, then it must be modified accordingly, or abandoned. So just
because a viewpoint is argued by citing dozens of verses does not, in itself,
make it Biblically sound. What counts is clear, relevant evidence, validly
reasoned.
But who is to decide what is clear, etc? In the opening
paragraph, the scenario was about two people claiming solid Bible evidence and
sound reasoning. How are relevance, validity, and clarity evaluated? And how is
one viewpoint determined to be more right than another? Well, there are rules of
logic and argumentation and applicability that can serve as a measuring stick --
but the issue goes beyond academic accuracy. It's still necessary to ask, "Does
it matter?"
Yes and no. It does matter if a person's misunderstanding will
take him/her out of the way that leads to salvation. It doesn't matter if the
viewpoint is simply differing detail such as timing and location and
protagonists. For example, if one's viewpoint is that "all believers will be
raptured to be with Christ, and so they will totally avoid the last days
tribulation", that person might be shaken in faith upon finding him/herself
having to endure the tribulation, as Scripture plainly teaches will be the
experience of some believers (cf 1Pe 4:12,13; Luke 21:34-36; Rev 2:10; 6:9-11;
7:14; 11:3-8).
On the other hand, if one's viewpoint is that "the Gog of
Ezekiel 38 will invade Israel before Christ returns, and/or the 'merchants of
Tarshish' refer to the UK and the USA who step out to resist Gog", it seems
unlikely that holding an alternative view of "an invasion after Christ's return,
and/or the merchants are out to cooperate with Gog" jeopardizes one's
salvation.
Suppose a person with a particular viewpoint is 100% right on
an issue that could readily affect the salvation of a person with a different
viewpoint. The matter doesn't stop here. If the #1 person is not patient, gentle
and meek in trying to persuade #2 (cf 2Ti 2:24,25), but rather impatient, harsh
and accusatory (manifested by strong words, condescension, indignation,
separation, etc), the correctness of #1 counts for nothing. Wrong behavior more
than cancels out right knowledge. If anyone has been blessed to have the right
understanding of Scripture, especially the prophetic message, he/she has the
responsibility to be forthright but caring toward those who do not yet share
that understanding. Such patient, gentle teaching imitates the prophets, the
apostles, and Jesus himself.
So which viewpoint is right? The one that lovingly and
constantly witnesses for Christ and his Return.
