INTRODUCTION
It almost seems absurd that someone would be writing an apologetic against such a well educated, well respected and well known author and preacher. Yet the truth is this apologetic is dearly needed for Andrew Farley is truly a false prophet, a blind guide and both he and his students and followers will fall into a pit. Like all false prophets he is sincere. He sincerely believes that he’s teaching the truth, but as they say, “He’s sincerely wrong.”
The goal of this project isn’t to shame Mr. Farley, but to expose his teaching to the light of God’s word rightly divided. Two goals are sought. The first is for Mr. Farley to repent and turn to the living God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ so that he might worship God in Spirit and truth.[1]John 4:24 The second goal is to plainly teach the general population the Good News of God’s Kingdom so that they might escape the fury of God’s wrath prepared for all who disobey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.[2]2 Thes. 1:8
This commentary project will start with the introduction to Dr. Andrew Farley’s bookTwisted Scripture’s. From there the project will continue with a chronological chapter by chapter commentary of the book. At the end of each successive chapter there will a link to the next chapter, unless of course it’s not written yet. So, let’s get started
TWISTED SCRIPTURE INTRODUCTION
TRUTH AND TRADITION
“Tradition and truth are not always the same thing.”
I concur completely with the very first sentence. But here’s what really needs to be understood. Tradition is sometimes presented as the Word of God when it’s actually the word of man. Man’s word must never supersede the word of God! Jesus gives us a perfect example of this corrupt concept in Matthew chapter fifteen verses one through nine.
The leaders of the Jewish theocracy in Jesus day elevated the washing hands before eating equal to that of the Word of God and they complained to Jesus that his disciples were breaking this tradition. In their minds the washing hands had be obeyed in order to be clean!
Jesus scolds them for breaking God’s word because of their tradition and then quotes Isaiah. “These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”[3]Isa. 29:13 – Matt. 15:8-9 (NIV 84)
The lessons here are that rules taught by men which supersede the Word of God do not and cannot overrule God’s word. If a tradition contradicts the word of God it is flat our wrong! Secondly, if you or I elevate man’s word over God’s we are hypocrites who don’t really love God!
Andrew’s second line is one he should heed himself. “If we’re not careful we end up thinking the age of belief makes it more valid.” The irony of his statement is that this is the age of belief is considered more valid than what the Bible actually says and this will be clearly demonstrated throughout this commentary.
Here’s a clear example.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”((John 1:12 (NIV)}}
Next he illustrates to the reader the error of the Israelites when Moses was up on the mountain, the Corinthian’s drunken orgies, and finally the foolishness of the Galatians.
From this he then concludes that apparently God’s children get things very wrong, very early on.
EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
This section is a personal attack against the some whose goal in their walk with Jesus is to attempt to restore New Testament Christianity to what is found in the Bible. Notice what he says, “So, the idea that today we should always agree with the traditions and doctrines of the early church fathers is nothing short of absurd.”
Yes it is absurd Andrew. Because you’ve twisted what those followers of Christ said and what they’re trying to do!
He then concludes this paragraph saying that there wasn’t uniform agreement among them.
Well, that’s certainly true, but here’s a biblical concept that everyone must get on straight. The apostle Paul said, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”[4]Ephsians 4:3-6 In other words we -disciples of Jesus- must make every effort to keep the unity of body of Christ by the Spirit though a bond of peace. Then he explains upon which principles we must be unified.
There is one body! You and I are either in or out of it. Most and I do mean most are doomed, like in Noah’s day when only eight were saved out of multitudes who didn’t believe. Today all most all the the world’s population is on the broad road and few, like in very, very, very few are on the narrow road and in the body!
There is one Spirt. Self explanatory.
There is one Lord. Self explanatory.
There is one faith. This means that only one faith gets us eternal life. All those who are in the body of Christ have the same faith. Anyone outside the body (most of the world) will have a different faith.
There is one baptism. Today there are a myriad of baptisms.Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Baptism as a symbol of what has already taken place. Baptism of babies, Baptism of adults. Baptism of fire. Baptism with a baptism. Baptism of water, sprinkling, immersion. Air baptism. Here’s the thing… there is only one! Which one? This will take diligence on your part.
There is one God and Father of all. Self explanatory.
The point here is that out of all the parties of faith there is only one that is right. And that is Jesus’s way! The problem is that there are many who say they speak for Jesus but don’t and Jesus even warned about them.[5]Matthew 7:15-20
The truth is there is only one truth and one way and it’s Jesus’s way and mankind has a nasty habit of distorting the truth. The said part is that it’s done in the name of Godliness.
Therefore Mr. Farley you are either right or wrong and the commentary is dedicated to revealing where and how you travel down the broad road.
TRADITION AND TRUTH