Monday, January 25, 2010

But... It's on the Internet!

At my work, we have a tongue-in-cheek saying; "If it's on Power Point, it's gotta be true." A lot of people seem to feel the same way about the Internet. Somebody published it, and they sound really smart, so it has to be true!

I remember reading an article a year or two ago on the Internet. I don't remember where it was published or who wrote it, but I remember vividly what it was about: sayings that are attributed to the Bible, but don't appear anywhere in scripture. I remember the article so vividly, because among the half-dozen or so sayings examined by the article, I knew that at least two did appear in Scripture, at least in concept, if not in the exact verbiage:

1. "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Though you won't find this exact phrase in the Bible, there is ample scripture to support the idea that discipline is a necessary part of successful child-rearing. Proverbs 13:24 is one example: He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 22:15 admonishes us: Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. Lest we think the Bible endorses harshness with our children, the Bible also warns us: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

2. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." Edit: As my sister pointed out, this phrase appears in the Bible nearly verbatim (depending on translation), in Luke 6:31: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Beyond that, Jesus echoes this principle again as he teaches that the Law can be summmarized : 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Others that were mentioned, such as "God helps those who help themselves," depend largely on context, as to whether they are supported by Scripture. Jesus came to help the helpless, yet we are sternly admonished in 2 Thessalonians 3 to work for our sustenance in accordance with our God-given abilities.

The point is simply this: If you want to know what is in the Bible, don't read my blog or anyone else's. Read the Bible!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

2 comments:

  1. Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (ASV) Or in the New American Standard version it reads "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Yep. "Do unto others..." is definitely in the Bible.

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