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FELIX I. GARCIA
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The Bible Is Our Authority

As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage.

There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority.

Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation.

A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries.

Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA.

(Emphasis by FG)

Por Joe Magee

"Hacer de muchos libros no tiene fin, y mucho estudio es un cansancio de la carne, oigamos la conclusión del asunto: Temed a Dios y guardad sus mandamientos, porque éste es todo el deber del hombre" (Eclesiastés 12: 12-13).

Mientras navegas por la biblioteca de cualquier predicador, sin duda encontrarás una serie de comentarios sobre varios textos y temas bíblicos. Estos son una gran ayuda para cualquier predicador o maestro, ya menudo representan muchos años de estudio y preparación para la presentación de sermones y lecciones bíblicas. No todos pueden ser escritos por los de la misma creencia que el dueño. Son valiosos, no obstante, debido al fondo histórico, la expresión y / o la construcción de la oración. Pueden incluir algunas interpretaciones válidas de la Escritura, algún pensamiento que ha escapado al lector mientras intentaba recoger una lección de un pasaje difícil.

Hay cuerpos religiosos que prohíben la lectura de cualquier material que no haya sido escrito por eruditos de esa religiión en particular. Esto constituye un culto, del cual hay muchos. No hay mayor amenaza a la verdad que la mente cerrada. Pero también debemos reconocer el peligro de la mente abierta en la medida en que aceptaría como verdad todo lo que se lee de alguien que afirma ser una autoridad.

Entonces, ¿cuál es la respuesta al peligro y el dilema de buscar un mayor conocimiento? Hay una autoridad a la que hay que tener en cuenta: la Biblia. Ciertamente hay pasajes difíciles de tratar, pero ninguno que tenga que ver con la salvación de uno. Las Escrituras que nos dirigen hacia la derecha están claramente establecidas. Pasajes que enseñan la creencia, el arrepentimiento, la confesión de Cristo como el Salvador, y el bautismo para la remisión de los pecados están tan manifiestamente establecido que uno necesitaría ayuda para malinterpretarlos. Los textos que enseñan al creyente bautizado cómo mantener su fe y crecer en las virtudes de la vida cristiana son poderosamente declarados, sin necesidad de explicación.

Una buena "regla general" en el estudio es simplemente esto: estudie sus comentarios a la luz de la Palabra de Dios. No estudien la Palabra de Dios a la luz de sus comentarios.

Joe Magee es un predicador del evangelio que vive en Shawnee, Oklahoma, Estados Unidos.
(Énfasis por FG)

By Joe Magee "Of making of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage. There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority. Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation. A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries. Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. (Emphasis by FG)

Definitions of By Joe Magee "Of making of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage. There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority. Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation. A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries. Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. (Emphasis by FG)

Synonyms of By Joe Magee "Of making of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage. There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority. Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation. A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries. Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. (Emphasis by FG)

Examples of By Joe Magee "Of making of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage. There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority. Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation. A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries. Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. (Emphasis by FG)

Translations of By Joe Magee "Of making of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). As you browse through the library of any preacher, you will undoubtedly find a number of commentaries on various Bible texts and topics. These are a great help to any preacher or teacher, and often represent many years of study and preparation for the presentation of sermons and Bible lessons. They may not all be written by those of the same belief as the owner. They are valuable, nonetheless, because of the historical background, expression, and/or sentence construction. They may include some valid interpretations of Scripture, some thought which has escaped the reader as he attempted to glean a lesson from a difficult passage. There are religious bodies who prohibit the reading of any material that has not been written by scholars of that particular religion. This constitutes a cult, of which there are many. There is no greater threat to truth than the closed mind. But we must recognize also the danger of the open mind to the extent that it would accept as truth anything that is read from one who claims to be an authority. Then what is the answer to the danger and dilemma of searching for greater knowledge? There is one authority to be reckoned with: the Bible. Admittedly there are difficult passages to deal with, but none which have to do with one's salvation. The Scriptures that direct us toward the right are clearly set forth. Passages that teach belief, repentance, confession of Christ as the Savior, and baptism for the remission of sins are so manifestly set forth that one would need help to misunderstand them. Texts that teach the baptized believer how to maintain his faith and grow in the virtues of Christian living are powerfully stated, with no necessity for explanation. A good "rule of thumb" in study is simply this: study your commentaries in light of God's Word. Do not study God's Word in light of your commentaries. Joe Magee is a Gospel preacher living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. (Emphasis by FG)