It is fashionable nowadays to say that all heresies are only a matter of different interpretations of the Scriptures, and that those who propagate such heresies wish to bow before the truth of God’s Word as much as anyone. Well, I’ll be very plain and say that I don’t believe a word of that. There are indeed legitimate differences of interpretation on all kinds of minor and less minor teachings of the Scriptures. That’s one reason we need commentaries. Even Reformed commentators have differed throughout the centuries, even when they all accepted the Scriptures as God’s infallible Word.
But that’s not what I have in mind now. I have in mind those who deny or question cardinal teachings of the Scriptures, teachings which have been unanimously accepted and believed by the church throughout history, and who do this under the pretense of merely having a different “interpretation” of a Bible which they too accept wholeheartedly as God’s Word. That is what I deny. For if that were true then we could forget about trying to understand the Bible, and our confession of its perspicuity would be a farce. Then words no longer mean what they plainly say.
When the Rev. A. C. Hofland, preside nt of the last-held Synod of the Geref. Kerken, tells Dr. Runia that he (Runia) appears to believe that the Bible is clear on the matter of homosexuality, and only open to one interpretation, but that be ought to realize that there are others in his church who want to be equally faithful and obedient to the Scriptures who disagree with him on this, then I say: “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you.” And when men like Kuitert and Wiersinga say the same thing, then I don‘t believe them either. The Bible is not so unclear on these major teachings that no one really knows for sure what it is saying. Far from it. Men such as those I mentioned would be more honest if they would say very candidly: “The Bible is clear in what it says, but I don’t accept that teaching. I no longer believe what the Bible clearly teaches in these matters.” That would be the path of honesty and integrity. And that would clear the way for further action.
Paul talks about men who bring in damnable heresies to the church. Peter says that there are and would be false prophets who would trouble the church, and he talks about men who twist the Word of God (II Pet. 3:16). They were talking about the church of our day also. Even from the midst of the church would such men arise (Acts 20:30). Let’s not think that isn’t happening today. And by saying this we are not passing judgment on anyone’s personal salvation. We leave that to God. But we are saying that men who call into question or openly deny the plain teaching of God’s Word are false prophets. They no longer believe God’s Word as His authoritative, infallible word to us. In short, it’s not a matter of interpretation but of unbelief. We simply don’t like what the Bible says about certain things. That conflicts with the standards of the world around us, and with what we like to believe. And that attitude deserves only one name: Unbelief.
Jelle Tuininga is pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
