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NASB | 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. |
Bible Question (short): What is the answer to doctrinal debates? |
Question (full): What is the answer to all doctrinal debates? Is it possible that one single concept, one idea, one thought, revealed in a single Bible verse, could resolve every debate. Some will think it impossible for one Bible fact to answer all these dilemmas. If, however, someone asked God to unravel these mysteries, could He do so in a single statement? If He could, then perhaps His Word does also. A typical doctrinal argument emphasizes certain biblical passages (its proof texts) while de-emphasizing other passages (its problem texts). This very approach makes many Christians uncomfortable because they want to embrace the whole word of God. Ignoring or diminishing certain texts that appear to contradict a conclusion unsettles them and rightly so. These arguments traditionally pit one set of Bible verses against another. Someone trying to prove that a believer cannot lose his salvation will cite certain proof texts (i.e., Eph. 4:30; Phil. 1:6) and dispute other problem texts (i.e., Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22). Those who argue that a believer can lose his salvation swap the passages, so that they heartily endorse their proof texts (i.e., Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22), while contending with their problem texts (i.e., Eph. 4:30; Phil. 1:6). What if God has presented one biblical key that would not only answer all the confusion, but would also erase the tension between the traditional proof and problem texts? Christians would then see both sets of proof and problem texts merge into a single grouping of proof texts. Christians expect exactly this in heaven. Once in heaven "I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Cor. 13:12) by God, without confusion. Heaven admits no "problem verses." God's Word will exist in heaven (Mat. 24:35), open, honest, simple to understand and true at face value. The solution to these doctrinal debates does not require diminishing or obfuscating, explaining away or twisting scores of problem verses. The solution lies in understanding the big picture of the Bible. |