Generic and Specific Authority

Types of Questions We Don’t Need to Answer

It is easy for discussions on controversial topics to become contentious, even in religion. Contentious discussions can consume our time and mental energy if we allow them to. Questions are often used to draw us into discussions, and some of these are good (cf. 1 Peter 3:15). But some questions do not need to be answered. The Bible shows us what types of questions these are.

What Has Been Bound and Loosed

In previous lessons, we have discussed several matters pertaining to hermeneutics and Bible authority. In this lesson, we are going to talk about what has been bound and loosed. This is about what is REQUIRED and what is merely PERMITTED. What is the difference? And what does this mean for churches and individual Christians?

The New Testament Pattern

In the previous lessons, we have discussed the need for authority, how authority is established, the difference between generic and specific authority, and the silence of the Scriptures. In this lesson, we are going to talk about the New Testament pattern. God has always used patterns to instruct His people, and the pattern we follow today is found in the New Testament.

The Silence of the Scriptures

In the previous lessons, we have discussed the need for authority, how authority is established, and the difference between generic and specific authority. In this lesson, we are going to talk about the silence of the Scriptures. We have discussed how to interpret what the Bible SAYS. What do we do when it is SILENT on a particular question or topic? That is what we will discuss here.

Generic and Specific Authority

In previous lessons, we have studied the need for authority and how authority is established. In this lesson, we are going to talk about the difference between generic and specific authority. It is important that we understand the difference or we can get ourselves in trouble, and we will discuss how.