Ten Popular Myths regarding women in the church(Contd..) BY Raji Johnson is only her own interpretation of the Bible.
In the Bible we see the Devil started with a tricky question while convesring with Eve."yeah, has God said like that""
Just like that Raji Johnson is asking us "is Paul actually saying in this passage?"
Many non-Orthodox people creep into our homes and ask us "Does the Bible says like that?" This is really a tricky question....
I recommend you to read the following message from Malankara Sabha Deepam by Valsamma Mathew Nariyapuram.
http://www.malankaradeepam.org/mdeepam/latest1/valsa.htmlWe must also understand---
WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE?
Many Christians believe that Jesus Christ did not institute the church. According to bible this is untrue.
In Mt 16:18 it is very clear that He is the one who built the Church and it says, " And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Jesus Christ defined the church and its functions before He ascended to the Father. He appointed certain men (Bishops along with apostles) to guide the church after he left, as referred in the early century Documents, DIDACHE (Chapter XV. (129) -Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof. 1. Appoint, therefore, for yourselves,
bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, (130) and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service)
In the book of ACT OF THOMAS (12. The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that You will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?" Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being.")
Though this book is outside the bible, beyond doubt, it is evident in the book of acts that James as the first bishop of the Church, presided the early synods of the Church and gave verdicts on doctrines. (Acts 15:1-21, Gal. 1:13-24)
APOSTOLIC INTERPRETATION
If the Bible is infallible, why do so many denominations have conflicting doctrines? Yet for centuries the Protestants have taught that all you need in your bible reading is the holy spirit to guide you. Today we have over 2003 Protestant denominations, each of which believes that Holy spirit is guiding them to interpret Bible and
ultimately more than 2005( including Orthodox and catholic Churches.) faith in God is proclaimed.
That means Christ is divided into 2005 factions.
NOW ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION.
Each believer who reads the bible , if, begins to interpret by their own, Do the Holy Spirit Guide the people in 100000000000 contradictory ways? No way !!
Bible itself gives us a clear picture on this .
2 Pet 1: 20
" First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of the scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation"
Now we come to know that the problem is not with the word of God. The word of God indeed is infallible.
The problem is with the reception of the word of God.
Thus the problem is not with the Bible itself, but with interpretation of the bible.
THE INTERPRETATIONS ARE ALL BY FALLIBLE HUMANS
AND THEY ALL MAY GO WRONG_ AT LEAST SOME TIME
SO HOW SHALL WE INTERPRET THE BIBLE PROPERLY?
WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET IT ?
TO WHOM SHALL WE TURN TO?
The early church provides a solution to this. The early church received the writings of the apostles along with their teachings. For e.g. the following doctrines mentioned is anywhere seen in the scripture with further details, but we see these in early apostolic documents. And that is defined as the tradition of the Holy Church .
(Heb 6:1- teaches us which are the doctrines of the church.)
" Therefore let us go on toward perfection , leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, instructions about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."
By seeing how the apostles directed the believers to receive the scriptures, we gain considerable insight into what they really meant. Indeed who could more reliably interpret the writings of the apostles other than the apostles and discover how the apostles interpreted the word of God ,Seeing how the early church was
directed by the apostles to receive the scripture. Thus we will have a reliable and consistent interpretation of the Bible, by allowing the apostles to interpret the apostles ,in order to solve our problem.
The early church also helps us to understand New Testament by showing us to how the recipients New Testament period understood the apostolic writings. For who would better understand what the apostles really meant and did not mean than those who were personally taught by the apostles and lived with them for years?
WHY NOT LET THE BIBLE INTERPRET THE BIBLE?
Protestants say that let the Bible interpret Bible itself. More than 2000 Denominations in their belief in Christ , are conflicting and contradicting each Other. Meanwhile the teachings and practices of the historic church have remained the same for the last 2000 years. But you all know this is not with the case of Protestant denominations.
REASONS TO VALUE THE EARLY CHURCH.
1. It provides a reliable interpretation of the word of God for us by sharing us how the apostles themselves interpreted it .(1 pet. 1:20)
2. By seeing how the recipients of the New Testament period understood it, we gain significant insight into how we should understand it.
3. For the constant faith of the early Church is sustained by Holy Episcopal synod, the synod is the final authority to interpret the Bible to it's believers and not individuals .
