The Scriptures Are for Correction

 by Terry Wane Benton

A few years ago, a gospel preacher said the Bible was not written to correct denominationalism. He thought he had some big point he was making. I pointed out that the Bible was not written to correct Muslims or Mormons in any direct way either, but indirectly, it was written to correct these and all errors.

It does not correct me (Terry Benton) in any direct way. That is, it does not mention me at all. But, it is certainly written to correct us all from divisions, heresies, immorality, and sin of all sorts, and therefore, it does indirectly correct even me.

If the Bible does not correct us because it was not written directly to us, then there was never a point in giving it. The teaching of God's word corrected Paul. Timothy was to teach people to "teach no other doctrine" than what the apostles had preached. To say such things is to correct the various errors being taught and supported. It may have a new name to it, such as Mormon or Muslim, but it is still the sin of heresy seditions and division (Galatians 5:19-21; I Corinthians 1:10f) that the scripture does address.

While the Bible was not originally written to correct denominations and Muslims directly, it certainly was written to indirectly correct all errors of every variety. By pointing people to the truth of Jesus and by pointing out what is lawless and lawful, what is right and wrong, the idea is to get people to Jesus for correction and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Thus, pointing out sin and righteousness means that God wants us to correct our course from the path of sin (in whatever form) and pursue the path of righteousness. In other words, the scriptures are given to correct us all, no matter the issue.