“A theological conservative believes in the inerrancy of Scripture, a theological fundamentalist (in today’s context) believes in the inerrancy of their interpretation” (Rick Warren). We must be careful with holding so fast to our specific, unique, and distinguishing interpretations of Scripture that we feel (or are made to feel) that honest re-evaluation or genuine dialogue with others of different viewpoints would somehow leave us less committed to the “clearly revealed mind of God” in Scripture. For example, when we hold to one tenant of our understanding that sets our theological affinity group apart from others, the pressure to conform and never question the integrity of that interpretation can be formidable. The thing, unfortunately, becomes a shibboleth, a litmus test of spiritual faithfulness. (I am purposely not using any specific example because the point made here would be lost in the debate about the particular illustration).

Of course, each of us must determine for ourselves the scriptural teaching that fits into the “Thus saith the Lord” level of doctrine, from which we must not and cannot diverge. But we must always be aware of the possibility that “Thus says I about what the Scripture says” or “Thus says the preacher or pastor” is not confused with the Lord’s Word itself. The preacher of the Word needs to be very careful about the force he gives to his homiletics. He is not, like the Catholic magisterium assumes for itself, the authoritative arbiter of the meaning of the biblical text. He is instead the one who continually calls the congregation back to the text to be like Bereans, to check for themselves that his teaching resonates with and is faithful to the Word (check this statement out for yourself in Acts 17:10-11).

The peer pressure of the affinity group can be surprisingly disruptive to the true conviction of the Holy Spirit as a person reads the biblical text. To be sure, we need teachers to help us understand the Bible and preachers to motivate us by pressing the application of it, but our personal reading of the Word is crucial.

Of course, this isn’t always black and white. A new believer, for example, is much more dependent on the teaching of those influential in leading him or her to Christ. The teachings of his first church affiliation carry significant influence, hopefully in accordance with the Scripture. But all believers must grow by continually searching the Scriptures for themselves to see if the things they are taught are so. This is because we believe that the Bible is inerrant and inspired; that is why we must hold the interpretations taught to us as instructive and helpful but not perfect. This should drive us to be diligent as students of the Word of God so that when we hold to biblical teaching with solid conviction, it is because the Bible says so and not just because the preacher says so.

 When I was younger, I asked an older, godly, and wise preacher of the Word what advice he could give me about getting older in my faith and ministry. With careful thought and a surprisingly humble authenticity he responded, “The older I become, the less sure I am about many things that I was once sure about. But, of the things I am sure about, I am more sure than ever.” We don’t need to jettison the things of less certainty, but just hold them with a slightly looser grip than the things we are more certain about, which are genuinely anchored in the Word of God. This enables us to be gracious to those with differing interpretations in those “less sure” areas.