Heather Cofer

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Flippant or Faithful? 10 Questions to Ask Ourselves When Examining a Truth Claim

9 Aug

How we use our voice matters.

I’ve been pondering this in earnest the past few weeks as I’ve taken some dives into a few of the current debates/discussions within Christian circles. After many hours of listening to and reading a number of resources from multiple scholars and Bible teachers and looking at Scripture myself, I’m freshly sobered by just how vital it is to handle God’s Word with care, not only for our sake but also for the sake of those who listen to what we say. 

There have been some jaw-dropping moments upon realizing someone is creatively (but not in a good sense) contorting verses and words and phrases from the Bible to fit their feelings and ideas *rather than* allowing their feelings and ideas to be conformed to what the Bible says. Or, some are simply sloppy in their interpretation. They seem so set on making Scripture support their viewpoint that they bypass or reinterpret what it actually says. And, some of these people have been wildly successful in convincing others to buy it, too. 

All of us are prone to reading Scripture through the lens of our own understanding or experiences—none of us are above it. There are some truly “open-handed” issues in the Bible (e.g. views on the end times) that have been genuine points of disagreement between fellow believers for centuries; it’s ok to wrestle over these and land on slightly different stances from each other. There’s also room in some cases to believe the same thing in principle (e.g. it’s sinful to get drunk), but have differing methods of living this out based on personal convictions (e.g. one person partaking in moderation and another abstaining completely). That said, there are also some highly debated topics that hold significant implications for our lives depending on where we fall.
Topics like:

  • Can women be elders in the church?
  • Should we attend a gay “wedding” to show them love even if we don’t agree?
  • How should Christians discipline their children?

We need to continually humble ourselves before God, asking Him to give us insight into what He intended when He divinely inspired the writing of Scripture. It’s vitally important that we rightly discern where there is room for disagreement, and where there isn’t. 

Now, although every Christian has a responsibility to rightly read, apply, and share what the Bible says, what’s been baffling to me is this: when those who are considered true experts on biblical matters by anyone’s standards handle Scripture (or certain parts of Scripture) with carelessness in order to support their point.

Although I am (and we all ought to be) incredibly grateful for the expertise of scholars who have the know-how and time to invest in producing resources on theological and doctrinal topics, we also have the personal responsibility before God to measure every book, paper, sermon, podcast, article, and Instagram post we consume against Scripture. We’re to ask God for His wisdom and discernment (Jas. 1:5), and then put it into practice. Then, if something doesn’t line up or seems fishy, we need to faithfully test it, and reject it if it proves not to align with truth (2 Cor. 10:5). This requires us to personally saturate ourselves in the Bible, submitting our hearts, minds, and lives to its instruction. 

Here are a few questions I ask myself when I’m considering what an “authority” has to say on any given biblical issue:

  • If I were simply reading this passage (without first hearing this person’s interpretation of it) would the Bible actually support this way of looking at it? Or, am I totally dependent on their explanation to understand what they’re proposing?
  • Is their explanation adding clarity to a confusing passage, or confusion to a straight-forward (but hard-to-swallow) one?
  • Are they dependent on alternate Greek or Hebrew words or obscure cultural context to support their claim that it says something different than how it was translated? 
  • What do other godly people say about this idea—those who are clearly submitted to the authority of Scripture in their words and lives (a pastor, mentor, etc.)?
  • If I were to embrace this idea, would I have to change my view on (or neglect completely) other important passages in Scripture?
  • Are clear New Testament instructions for believers being explained away by Old Testament narratives or other passages that are taken out of context?
  • Does this possible insight intrigue me because it rings true to the rest of Scripture, or because it’s what my “flesh” wants to hear?
  • Is this person interpreting Scripture through their own experiences and those of others, or are they viewing these experiences through the lens of Scripture?
  • Who are they being influenced by? Are they getting their ideas from those who hold (or held) an unbiblical worldview, or from those who hold to truth according to the Bible?
  • Does this viewpoint place higher credence on worldly philosophies than it does on what the Bible says?

Even if we’re wrestling over topics not central to salvation, we need to remember the way we hold to and apply Scripture to our lives is imperative. Our beliefs (and the subsequent actions that flow from those beliefs) have vast implications for us and those around us. They affect our spiritual fruitfulness. Therefore, who we choose to allow to influence us is incredibly important.

Does that mean truly godly people will never stumble in what they say or get something wrong at times? Absolutely not (Jas. 3:2). Everyone should be growing and maturing in their understanding and application of Scripture this side of heaven. I struggle when others quickly label someone a false teacher over one wobbly issue, especially if they have shown themselves faithful to God’s Word in other areas. But those who teach the Bible are held to higher accountability before God because of their ability to influence others for good or ill (Jas. 3:1). And if we do read or hear something concerning from an author, speaker, or teacher we’ve respected in the past, it doesn’t hurt to take a step back from consuming their materials and quietly observe the trajectory of their words and life for a bit. 

All of us will have influence over others to some degree. If we’re parents it starts right in our home with the little people we’ve been entrusted with. What kind of example are we setting for our children by our approach to Scripture? Will they see a life that seeks to be faithful to God’s Word, or one that uses it to try to prove our way of thinking? Will they see in us humility and reverence for the Bible, or will they see pride and flippancy instead?

No matter what voices are swirling around us, and no matter how much flack we might get for holding to a biblical (but countercultural) perspective, there is no safer place than being firmly planted in the truth of God’s Word.

Your friend,

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Haley says

    August 24, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    Thank you, Heather. Your reflections and your questions are very helpful. I read through most of 1 Corinthians at one sitting the other day and am struck by the fact that Paul addresses these same issues of faithfulness to the Gospel, humility and reverence for the Word, and love for one another versus carelessness and pride. We need always to keep our lives, our thoughts, our opinions in check. That is so hard to do. May the fear of the Lord increase in my heart and mind today.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      September 15, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      Thank you for these thoughts, Aunt Kathy. It is hard to do, as you said. Self wants to get in the way so badly (speaking from experience). Praise God for His grace and continual leading.

      Reply

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This past weekend Judah and I had the immense priv This past weekend Judah and I had the immense privilege of witnessing our five-year-old daughter surrender her life to the Lord.

God has used the salvation of my children to remind me of the Gospel that will never grow old, but that too often loses its wonder in my mind’s eye. What a gift that, in a world filled with evil and upheaval, God is quietly revealing that He is at work in the lives of those most precious to me.

I’m brought back to the reality of what Christ has done on our behalf, simple enough for a child to grasp, yet so profound we’ll never understand the half of it (at least not this side of heaven).

[Read the full post from my rejoicing heart at the link in my bio💕]
I’ve been mulling on this 👆🏻. I’m sure t I’ve been mulling on this 👆🏻. I’m sure there will be a multitude of voices today, but I’m going to chance it and add a few comments to the throng.

I’ve been seeing the argument over and over by pro-abortion advocates that we cannot be truly pro-life unless we’re personally adopting every child who is in foster care, providing childcare or tuition fees for every teen mom who chooses to keep their child, or rallying for every social cause. But this is simply not true. Can we not be against human trafficking without personally going and rescuing every single victim? Can we not think sexual assault is wrong without personally investing in every person who’s experienced it? We can and must hold fast to objective truths about right and wrong according to Scripture. When God gives us opportunities to personally give of our time, resources, and energy to love and care for those who are affected by an unexpected pregnancy—whether that’s providing diapers or adopting a child—we should wholeheartedly obey. But if what God is asking of you today is to get on your knees for those babies, mamas, and daddies who are touched by an unexpected pregnancy, remember that this is no less important. God moves when His people cry out to Him in prayer.

There is also the argument floating around that Christians talk big but act little. In other words, we aren’t actually willing to step in and help the babies we’ve wanted to protect in the womb. But if you look at the statistics that’s also false. Professing Christians are far more likely to personally invest time and resources into caring for the vulnerable than the general population (take a look at Josh Howerton’s pinned thread on Twitter as a starting place). Are there those whose lives contradict their words? Of course. God has to convict all of us of hypocrisy to one degree or another. Where we’ve failed to obey we should repent. However, we shouldn’t buy the lie that *every* Christian is failing to love the vulnerable. And, we need to remember that we’re simply responsible to do what God entrusts us with today—no more, no less. 

Lord, help your people to pray faithfully, serve faithfully, and give faithfully for your glory.
I’ll never forget a number of years ago in a her I’ll never forget a number of years ago in a hermeneutics class our teacher saying, “In Ezekiel 16, do you know what sin is listed first as reasons God destroyed Sodom? Pride.”

This struck me to the core. God had been doing a significant work in my life on this very thing. I’d grown up in a Christian home, been a rule-follower, and truly did love Jesus from a young age. That said, it was hard for me to grasp the depth of my sinfulness. I didn’t have a “past” and I’d never been a trouble-maker. But in my early 20’s I began to feel an increasing desperation to know and love Jesus more. As I pressed into Him I sensed Him speaking to my heart: 

“If you want your love for me to grow you need to see what you’ve been saved from.” 

He began exposing the depth of pride and filthy self-righteousness I’d viewed as lesser evils. It was so painful, but so freeing at the same time. I knew I was no better than those who’d committed the vilest atrocities, equally in need of the blood of Christ to “cleanse [me] from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). I truly grasped the reality that not a single ounce of my own effort had contributed to my salvation. I wept over my sin and God’s mercy toward me for the first time.

So in this month that is dedicated to celebrating pride, I want to remember—remember that Jesus can transform anyone who turns to Him in repentance. Remember that Jesus “saved a wretch like me.” 
Remember that Christ gives grace to every person who humbles themselves before Him.
Remember that we are all the same at the foot of the cross.
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#lookingtoJesus #amazinggrace #pride
Our beautiful boy is 1. All the memories surround Our beautiful boy is 1. 
All the memories surrounding his birth are filling my mind and heart today.

This time last year I was in a hospital bed adjusting to the reality of our son coming a month early. I felt so weak, so weary, so unprepared to labor another child from womb to world. It looked like a C-section would be the only option after hours of unimproved heart rate dips. My midwife (whom I’d just met that day) even cried for me (how precious is that?😭). My husband and I prayed for what seemed impossible—a vaginal delivery—and in God’s mercy He chose to grant it. Although it was by far my most painful, difficult birth I was in awe that God had shown such kindness to me. I knew He saw and heard, and was glorified to answer our audacious ask. The midwife and nurse said they’d never seen a turn-around like that in all their years of practicing. 

Little buddy still needed a week in the nicu, yet the Lord revealed His gentleness at every turn—holding my tender, reeling heart in His hands. 

Then, he was home. Yet another answered prayer (they’d projected 3-4 weeks). I’ll never forget the utter joy of his siblings upon his homecoming.

God did not spare me from pain in Jack’s birth story, but instead revealed Himself faithfully and beautifully in the midst of it. When I look at Jack Lewis Cofer, I will always see a testimony of God’s lovingkindness toward me.

Happy Birthday, precious boy. You are a gift I’m unworthy, but so grateful, to steward.
Today I celebrate my dear father. To sum up what Today I celebrate my dear father.

To sum up what I’ve learned from his life would take a post much longer than the word count IG allows. But what I admire the most about him in recent years is seeing a man who consistently grows in wisdom, humility, and joy. He’s one of my favorite people in the world to have deep conversations with—encouraging me to think deeply—and pointing me back to Jesus continually. He’s lived out the declaration in Isaiah 6:8, a passage he loves: “Here I am! Send me.” No words can capture my gratitude for such a rare gift. 

I love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day.
It’s Father’s Day. And I wholeheartedly celebr It’s Father’s Day. And I wholeheartedly celebrate the dad of our children. 
Men of integrity, faithfulness, wisdom, repentance, and holiness are few in this world. But where they are found, it is a joy to honor them. I praise God for the one found in my own home, relentlessly fighting to fix his eyes on Jesus and obey the call on his life to love, disciple, and shepherd his family.

I adore you, @judahcofer. Happy Father’s Day.
When @naomivacaro asked me about the possibility o When @naomivacaro asked me about the possibility of coming to TGCW with her (and a nearly immediate “do it” from my husband) I was thrilled. Hands down, my favorite part was the hours and hours of time with this dear friend. It was so sweet to meet *so* many Instagram faces in-person, hear lots of messages, buy books, and drink a good deal of coffee. 

Now it’s off to my husband and little people. As they say, there’s no place like home. 💕

Until next time, Indy!
Today I decided to tackle some weeding in a sorely Today I decided to tackle some weeding in a sorely neglected spot in our yard. A couple of weeks ago I noticed a little blanket of a particular weed beginning to grow, but decided to leave it to work on something else, convincing myself it could pass as nice ground-cover while I worked on “more important” projects. 

But a couple days ago I noticed it no longer passed as ground cover.😅

As I tugged at the multitude of weeds, I pondered how unassuming and rather pretty it looks when it’s small. Whimsical, white flowers bloom along it’s vine-y tendrils. But as it grows it slowly takes over everything. It wraps itself around branches and stems, making it difficult to distinguish which is which. If you take a close look at it, it’s very structure is twisted—growing to overpower and overtake.

How like sin these little weeds are—so often seeming harmless and even a delight to the eye. We let it be, thinking it can pass as part of the scenery of our lives. But it’s whole intention is to overtake. It slowly-yet-steadily wraps itself around whatever it can get ahold of, effecting every aspect of our lives. And eventually it’ll choke the life out of us.

No matter how innocent or appealing sin appears, it needs to be dealt with like these weeds: done away with. Given no room to flourish. Pulled up by the root and tossed out with the trash. The enemy of our souls wants to keep us tending these sins, or at least tolerating them. He knows that any inch we give to sin it will take a mile, keeping us from flourishing in the abundant life of Christ we’ve been given. 

Praise God for His grace that gives us the ability to say no to sin, to deal with it ruthlessly. Apart from Him we are slaves to our sin with no hope of freedom—no desire, even, for a life outside the bondage of death. What mercy, what love found in Jesus who died to free us from “the sin which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12). 

May any facade of beauty that sin might hold wither in the face of His glory.
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#lookingtoJesus #weeding #ponderings #Christcenteredwomanhood
“Lord, tether my dreams to reality.” This has “Lord, tether my dreams to reality.”

This has been a prayer I’ve continually lifted as of late.

I, as most do, have passions and interests that fall outside my family and home sphere. I have “one day” pursuits I feel quite strongly about. And the temptation can sometimes be to skimp in the “already here” and put my best efforts into those other desires (which are good things in-and-of themselves).

But here’s the reality: 

• I have one life to live. What I choose today matters.

• God’s priorities for me are worth pursuing with my whole heart, regardless of the messages the world (and sometimes my own heart) shouts at me. Why? Because He’s my Creator and only He gets to say what’s best for my life.

• My God-given priorities *today* include (but are not limited to) loving my husband and raising, training, teaching, loving, nurturing, and protecting five little people He’s entrusted to me. I alone have been granted the privilege of being called “Mommy” by these children, and “wife” of this precious man. Any other pursuits in this season must strengthen—not hinder—these callings. And, I might add, these 6 people are a dream come true.

• Some of those future dreams/pursuits are dependent on my faithfulness here and now. Why? Because every choice today is a seed planted, a stone laid. What will these say about me 20 years from now?

• I ultimately don’t want anything other than what God wants for me. He has the right and ability to change my course as He sees fit. If He chooses to allow those other dreams to come to fruition in His time and way I’ll be thrilled. But if He takes them away, blessed be His name. 

Tethered dreams have time to mature, deepen, be refined or even changed completely with age. Tethered dreams recognize that I can’t see the beginning from the end. Tethered dreams are safe with the One who can.

Lord, tether my dreams to reality.
Your reality.
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#lookingtoJesus #Christcenteredwomanhood
“The triangle of truisms, of father, mother and “The triangle of truisms, of father, mother and child, cannot be destroyed; it can only destroy those civilizations which disregard it.” - G. K. Chesterton

The moral fabric of our society is being shredded to pieces right before our eyes, and the attack on the family is right at the heart of it.

Is there anything more counter-cultural we can do than hold fast to God’s design for family—a husband and wife covenanting to one another until death, bearing and raising children for the glory of God? I doubt it. This seemingly simple stand is being showered with fiery darts. The enemy of our souls would like nothing more than for believers to cave to the pressures and lies of society.

But by God’s grace, we can hold fast to this now-radical, Christ-honoring view of husbands, wives, and children. It might feel insignificant at times. But I have a feeling this obedience in regard to God’s design family is accomplishing far more than we’ll ever know this side of eternity.
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#lookingtoJesus #family #husbandsandwives #children #childrenareagift
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