Words Attached to Words to Discredit Meaning

 

"Only “as in KJV-only - There are those who believe that the KJV is the second inspired Bible but they are wrong.  Certainly, the KJV is one of the better translations but it is not Holy Spirit inspired.  To the contrast, some modern versions are not worth reading because they put too much bias or mis-translations to prove their doctrinal positions, not to mention some tacky vernacular. One never heard about NASB-only or NIV-only people or churches. Unfortunately, the KJV people may have brought some of the criticism on themselves unnecessarily.  Furthermore, the KJV translators have created some confusion with their use of italicized words which, ironically, were intended to aid in further understanding the context.  For example,  the italicized word "unknown" preceding "tongues" has certainly let some people and/or churches (mis) justify gibberish and un-translatable conversations which only make (non)sense to those whose lips are moving!  But, of course, they may be KJV-only, too.  Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with the KJV  and if someone is a KJV -only user maybe they should be called KJV-preferred user just like there are NIV -preferred users or NASB -preferred users and that is okay, too.  Perhaps, the want-to-be intimidators would criticize Pink and Spurgeon, too.
 

"Hyper" as in hyper-Calvinism is another good one used to criticize sincere Christians.  Everyone knows that John Calvin's name is not in the Bible--but neither is Jacobus "James" Arminius".  Yet, the use of these two names by what they represented has divided a lot of people and/churches.  Although Calvin and Arminius were not exactly contemporaries, Arminius attempted to refute Calvinism, aka the doctrines of grace, which is still in debate today.  The term, hyper-Calvinism, can somewhat be defined as one who does little or no evangelizing since there are words in scripture like "elect" and "ordained" and "predestinated" and "chosen."   In the minds of some who use the "hyper" word these biblical terms excuse evangelism.  This mindset exposes the fact that some people do not have a clear understanding of biblical terminology and evangelism.  In other words, some may believe that since God has already chosen some to salvation then evangelism is not necessary.  So they take another view called fatalism or what is to be will be and there is nothing anyone can or should do about it.  But what is all the fuss about with these two views?  It is all about God's sovereignty and man’s salvation.  Calvinism (the doctrines of grace) give God's total sovereignty all the credit and Arminianism gives man the ultimate sovereignty in deciding his eternal future.  The balanced Calvinist understands not only God's sovereignty in salvation but he also understands man's sinful, albeit dead, nature.  Yet, there are still those who will call them hyper-Calvinists to attempt to discredit true Calvinists or those who hold to God’s sovereignty.  Further, they will ignore or change the contextual meaning of words like "election" and "predestinate" and "chosen" only to substitute words such as "decision" and "free will" and "choice" to replace God's sovereign will with man's not-at-all-sovereign will.  The irony to all this is that the Arminian never prays by telling God what to do but he (should) always submit to God's total sovereignty understanding that it is God's will that will be done and not men.  And, so it is in salvation.

 

"Secret" as in secret rapture should make one shake their head and chuckle at if it is a foolish (mis)interpretation.  To begin with the word "rapture" is not found in the English translation of the Bible.  But should the absence of the word make it an invalid biblical term?  Well, the word Trinity is not found, either.  Nevertheless, God is in three persons and at the same time which is also clearly described in certain verses in the Bible.  Still, like the deniers of a true rapture there are some, like the modalists, who will admit that God can be the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but not at the same time.   And that (the Trinity) is not a secret, either.  But the amil, raptureless teachers who mock those who believe in the biblical rapture say that when the rapture occurs it will be secret and unrecognizable.  Granted, no one knows the moment it will happen. That is God's secret.  No one knows when the rapture will occur prior to the Lord's return at His second coming.  That, too, is God's secret but it will not be a secret when it happens.  It will not be a secret when suddenly millions of people suddenly vanish, either.  In fact, it will be very recognizable and visual with its results.  With today's technology and instant picture imaging everyone around the world will know what has happened though they may not quite understand it at the time.  Some amil and/or Replacement Theology people who find it difficult to ignore clear scripture teaching on the rapture propose their own interpretative description of it.   In one desperate attempt to explain scripture they do not believe, instead, they say saints, both dead and alive, will be caught up to meet The Lord then immediately return to earth with Him to set up the kingdom.   Why would The Lord raise His saints up one moment just to send them back the next moment to earth to set up His kingdom?  This boomerang rapture is unscriptural and pointless.  The bottom line is that the rapture is not pointless but has purpose and will not be a secret!  Maranantha!