What can I do about a visiting preacher making claims that Ecclesiastes is not inspired and there are errors in the Bible?
Question:
My wife and I have attended the same church for the past 16 years. We have two elders and five deacons. Recently the son of one of our elders came, by invitation, to preach for us. This young man has graduated from a top university and has a degree in Greek. The night he preached he told us that Ecclesiastes is nothing more than the words of Solomon and not necessarily the word of God. He then went on to say that the book is filled with errors as well as some of the other books also have errors. I could not believe that neither of our "shepherds" removed him from the pulpit and one of them actually congratulated him on a job well done.
I am not respected by our group (I take rather strong, but scriptural stands). What can I do? What should I do?
Thank you.
Answer:
I would suggest sitting down with the elders and asking if it is their understanding that all or part of the Bible is the work of man and not God. Depending on their answer, you might wish to also ask them if they accept Paul's statement: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). It would be useful to know what books in the Bible they don't believe are a part of the Scriptures. Another verse to keep in mind is "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:19-21).
If they wish to argue that errors crept into the text of the Bible (I'm not talking about minor grammar and spelling errors that are easily detected and corrected, but major alterations that change the teachings of God), I would bring up, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you" (I Peter 1:22-25).
If they agree with all of this, then ask them why they praised a man who contradicted God instead of rebuking him.
Since you said they are already not inclined to listen to you, depending on their answer, you may need to consider finding a congregation that actually stands for the truth.
