An Introduction

This note comes from a post, or a facebook note that I wrote back November 5, 2011. With that, I repost this note for your reading. --smh

As I am finishing up my message for the morrow, I came across a news article about a misapplication of the passage, and yet the author in refuting the passage misapplies that same passage in the opposite manner. We tend to do that with Scripture. We will go far left and then far right. We are like a pendulum. We will go with legal regimen to wonton freedom and land at all points in between.
 
An example of us doing this comes from the beginning of time, in Genesis 3.3, Eve added to the Word of God. This is the passage of the temptation and fall of man from the Garden of Eden.  Here she is telling the serpent that God said they must not eat of the tree, nor must they touch it. Back in 2.17, God only said “Do not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” So she added to the Word. She touched, then she ate and shared with Adam who was the original recipient of the single law, who taught Eve, who was also standing there as she was in error. Adam said nothing.
 
Now I realize that I am speculating with that which follows, but it seems reasonable and does not violate Scripture. Now I wonder when Eve saw she didn’t die as she touched the fruit, if that caused her to doubt? Thus from this doubt she doubted God’s command. Perhaps she didn’t catch the nuance of death that comes because they were then barred from eating the Tree of Life. Then for Adam, I wonder if he realized what he had allowed to happen, decided to share the fate of his wife, which in a wry sort makes a great romance story.
 
But again, that is my speculation based on the Word, for Genesis 3.24 God placed the angel with the flaming sword to guard the tree of life from man.
 
So that is one of the factors for my idea comes from, “Central Points”. The other is that currently I am serving Central Christian Church. It is central to Southeast Arkansas, but not quite to Stuttgart. Yet 99% don’t keep such a distinction in their heads. They see the church as the most northern place before hitting the fields, and then Mack’s Prairie Outfitters. The main question is, “Why do you all call yourselves Central when you are on the north end of town?” My answer quickly became, “because we are central on the Word of God, the Bible.”
 
Now you know the rest of the story of Central Points.
 
My aim is to answer questions about the Word, about Culture, about any topic using the Bible. My aim is to do so as objectively as I can, leaving behind my denominational bent, which is an article of itself. My approach to the Bible is that 1- it’s absolute standard and stands alone. 2 – The Bible has two parts, the Old Agreement (Testament) and New Agreement. Jesus lived under the old. Pentecost and coming of the Holy Spirit began the new. The New Testament is not a Law Code, where what was written first is less than what was written last. If a later writing of John contradicts his earlier writing, it’s not a contradiction in the Bible, but contradiction in understanding or application, which is why I am taking this endeavor.
 
I welcome feedback and discussion. I also want your questions. Not questions looking for an argument, such as arise between Christian Church and Baptist Church, though some of the discussions will go that way. But I want the questions you genuinely have need of answer. I am currently working on one question I received recently, and it basically comes down to Good being corrupted by bad company. So with that, I say to you, bring on your question.
 
* Just a thought: Not all “Central Notes” will arise from questions from readers. Some will come in the form of ideas that pop into my mind whenever they do so. There is also no real time table for the next note. It will happen.
 
The Father’s Blessings to you all. –smh