BIFURCATION

From My Perspective - - -

Bifurcation is a term that is infrequently utilized but in actuality is frequently experienced. The definition is not very detailed. It states simply: To Bifurcate is “to divide or fork into two branches.” The Encyclopedia Britannica gives a broader background regarding bifurcate, namely, “(from Greek dicha “apart” and “tomas” cutting); a form of logical division consisting of the separation of a class into two sub-classes, one of which has and the other has not a certain quality or attribute…there can be no overlapping…This method of classification, though formally accurate, has slight value in the exact sciences, partly because at every step one or more of the groups is merely negatively characterized and is usually an artificial, motley class…”

While bifurcation is very apparent throughout the culture of the world – political bent, religious persuasions, racial intolerance – it is usually understood and explained in terms of national and/or individual goals and values. The world has been marked by atrocities of almost every description – the holocaust, genocide, apartheid, abortion, intolerance, etc. There seems to be no limit to the diabolical and evil imaginations that find expression in viciousness and hideous activity that causes pain, affliction, suffering, maiming and death.

The Aquila Report has published an article by Denny Burk, dated June 2, 2013: “Andy Stanley’s Poison Pill for The Doctrine of Scripture.” The subheading states: “we do not hold to the Dalmatian Theory of Inspiration – that Scripture is Inspired in Spots.” Burk writes: “Stanley says that his belief in Adam and Eve is not because the Bible says so, but because Jesus says so. The first and most obvious problem with this formulation is the fact that our only knowledge of what Jesus says comes to us from the Bible. There can be no bifurcation between what the Bible says and what Jesus says. The former gives us the latter…In short, Stanley affirms the historicity of Adam and Eve, but not because Genesis says so. Rather, he bases his belief on what Jesus says about Adam and Eve.” He quotes Stanley: “The foundation of our faith is not the Scripture. The foundation of our faith is not the infallibility of the Bible. The foundation of our faith is something that happened in history. And the issue is always – Who is Jesus? That’s always the issue. The Scripture is simply a collection of ancient documents that tells us that story…Here’s why I believe this actually happened. Not because the Bible says so, but because of the Gospels – Jesus talks about Adam and Eve. And it appears to me that he believed they were actually historical figures. And if he believed they were historical, I believe they were historical because anybody that can predict their own death and resurrection and pull it off – I just believe anything they say.”

Two issues arise at this point – (1) Many will support this view because of who said it, and (2) Many will not draw the important distinction between a historical view versus the significance of the verbal plenary inspiration view. The bottom line is this – we do not believe in Adam and Eve based upon history, but because of Inspiration. Where does one encounter the concept of Inspiration? What does it mean? There are Scriptural passages (among several) one should know and understand. First, Genesis 1 and 2 – the Creation narrative that indicates God saw, God said and God did. The focal point is Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This is what God saw, what God said, and what God did. Second, Hebrews 1:1-2 (along with Colossians 1:15-17), “Long ago…God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Third, II Timothy 3:16-17 along with II Peter 1:20-21), “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Just as God breathed into man and made him a living soul, be breathed out His Word and it was and is the Living Word of God – fully inspired and without error in all of its parts. Bifurcation at this point is unwarranted and invalid. The choice is simple – either follow a man and his historical view, or follow the Scriptures – the God-breathed, living Word of the Creator and our God. Consider these things with me.