The conservative approach to God and his word has a kind of trinity of truth at the heart of its doctrine. All three parts of this trinity come from the Bible but together they are what can assure us that we have found a true biblical conservatism. It is not always a failsafe and at times may still produce some controversy among the believers, but it is an altogether safer platform from which to start any search for biblical truth and the salvation of God. The first doctrine in the trinity of truth is found in 2 Peter 3: 16...All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Starting here is to fully recognize the authority, the inspiration and the infallibility of Gods word. This is also the best starting point from which to approach all second coming doctrine. The second part of the doctrinal trinity comes from 2 Peter 1:20...Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation: The opposite of private is public. That means there is a public interpretation among the believers. A consensus or a main stream of thought emerges concerning all Bible interpretation the world over. Just one example would be that while some think that antichrist could be only a spirit or some body politic like the UN, the larger body of Christ (the church) worldwide holds that he is just what scripture says he is...a man. The third part of the doctrinal trinity, answers why the church arrives at generally the same interpretation all over the world. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you. 1 John 2:27a. The Holy Spirit teaches every believer around the world the same thing, God is not divided against himself. Thus a Spirit taught church says what its Father says, it hears the voice of its Savior, and it doesnt hear every wind of doctrine. The church doesnt cuddle up with every doctrinal new kid on the block. If we were to take the time to do the homework we could see that the main body of the church throughout the world comes up with just about the same interpretation of scripture, not counting the liberal church of course. That single Spirit taught, scripture trusting interpretation is what conservative means. If you stick to the conservative side of second coming doctrine you will find yourself outside of the confusing fray and that is exactly where God wants you to be. |
