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My intent here is to examine the claims of the author. I have no particular desire to defend Beth Moore.
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The well-known lady preacher and popular bible-study author, Beth Moore, makes an astonishing declaration–that spending time in God’s Word is not the same thing as spending time with God. (Let's see if the author actually demonstrates that reading the Bible is the same thing as spending time with God.)
I say “astonishing” acerbically, chiefly because Beth Moore, who spends most of her free time admonishing innocent men to get on their knees to apologize on behalf of other men for mistreating women while holding hands with Marxists, is actually quite known for bellowing out ludicrous assertions about the Scriptures and her (lack of) knowledge about them.
Most recently, she declares in a tweet:
Well, in her world, spending time with God consists of fanciful dreams of being lifted up in the air while being told by God that He’s going to unite all sectors of Christendom, or strange moments of meeting a woman at a random bus stop just to give her a handful of cash because, you know, God told her to go there and stuff.
Of course spending time in Scripture is the same thing as spending time with God. (The author restates his premise. Remember that Beth Moore's statement was "astonishing." It's so out-of-bounds that reasonable people must be taken aback by its brazenness.
But in fact, it is quite possible to spend time in Scripture and not spend time with God.
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.You cannot know God any other way. (This person represents himself as a Bible teacher? How could he not know that God's character and glory are revealed in creation:
Ro. 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.He speaks through circumstance:
2Ch. 20:9 If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.He speaks through the ministry of the saints:
1Th. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.He speaks through pastors:
1Ti. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.It’s how he speaks to us (Hebrews 1:1). (After making several assertions, the author provides [but does not quote] a proof text. Let's actually quote it.
He. 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.So, does this Scripture say anywhere that Scripture is the only way that God speaks to us? Does the text mention Scripture? Does this Scripture talk about spending time with God? No, no, and no.
Remember his stated premise: Of course spending time in Scripture is the same thing as spending time with God. He has established
- God speaks to us through Scripture
- God speaks to us through His son
Yes, you can spend time with Him in prayer as well, and you can spend time with Him in worship. (Oops. So there are other ways to spend time with God. The author begins to walk things back.)
But what she’s saying is essentially the same thing as saying that listening to your parents speak to you is not the same thing as spending time with them. (We can read Ms. Moore's words for ourselves. She did not "essentially" say this.
We will supply the author with our own metaphors.
- One can read many books about football, become an expert, but never actually play the game
- One can obtain a degree in marriage counseling, but remain single
- One can attend lectures about President Lincoln, but know nothing about him
- One can study the Bible for decades and never become a Christian
The Scriptures are God’s full and complete revelation to us. It informs all matters of our faith in Him, including our prayer and worship. (Which no one has disputed. In fact, the specific tweet by Ms. Moore doesn't even speak to this. The author is offering rhetoric about things that are not even on the table.
The problem here is that the author carries baggage into the conversation. He knows other things about Beth Moore that he really wants to talk about. He imputes these thing to her tweet she does not say, and concludes heresy.
What really bothers the author is Beth Moore can be right, even if it's once in a while. "We can grow in facts and never grow a whit in faith" is a completely biblical statement of fact, backed up by our previously-quoted Scripture:
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.It would better serve the author to deal with some of the truly egregious things Beth Moore might have said, rather than going hyperbolic about the innocuous statements she makes.)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:8-9
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