Whose Approval Are We Seeking?

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

There it is. Summed up in Paul's words to Timothy. That's the goal of our study, our discipline, and our dedication. That we would be approved unto God. Sadly, we know there is a great temptation to seek the approval of others, even at the loss of God's approval.


I attended Bible college for four years, and received my bachelor's degree in theology. I'm thankful for that experience and education. I have never regretted the investment in my ministry. I continued my studies through the university where I'm employed. Later, I started working on studies in theology at the master's degree level. I'm a supporter of continuing education. I think our learning should be lifelong. We ought to keep working on the discipline of study. I believe we need to labor over the Word to be unashamed workmen. While we're working at it, though, let's remember Whose approval really matters. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..."

As focus increases on academic achievements in the church and among its leadership, we must stay on guard especially in this area. Built into its DNA, academia includes a pursuit of constant and graduated approval. But whose approval? If we're not careful, our quest may become the approval of academic peers, professors, certifying boards, and those who award degrees. Yet, such approval can stand contrary to God's approval. To make the grade of man, what will we say? Will we be called upon to compromise Biblical values and doctrinal positions to receive the certification of men? One won't always demand the other, but I know cases where compromises have been expected in order to go to the next level of academics.

My secular job is a role in academic administration in a university. I have witnessed the constant pressures of measuring up for degrees and accolades. It's costly. It's unending. Ultimately the accolades of man fall far short of the one statement of approval we are supposed to seek:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

It's not from our peers that we need to hear these words. It's not from committees. We must hear God say it.

I'm concerned when I see the intense pursuit of approval from unbelieving academics. It seems to have increased in the last few years. Perhaps some in the Church grew tired of having so-called scholars looking down their noses at Apostolics. Certainly it's tiring to hear other denominations misrepresent our understanding of the Bible. Of course it's frustrating to have us labeled as emotional but uneducated.

But back in the day, the closest followers of Jesus weren't identified by public accolades of their knowledge. No, the unbelieving intellectuals looked at the disciples "and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." (Acts 4:13)

I hope we'll continue to study, and grow in knowledge. Paul instructed Timothy to do the same. However, if we have to decide between knowledge that garners public accolades or power that illustrates we've been with Jesus, the right choice is obvious. I know the response from many will be, "We can have both. We can be highly educated, Holy Ghost-powered believers." That is true. Certainly we have many fine examples of that truth in the Church today. We even have some examples from the Bible.

Paul was, of course, educated at high levels. He put that education to good use. But when it came down to priority and preaching, Paul the scholar said,

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."     1 Corinthians 2:1-5

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." That statement should direct our academic pursuits in these perilous times. Whose approval are we seeking? Where does our confidence rest? In the wisdom of men? In our own knowledge and education? Do we want people to praise us or praise God? I want to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant..." 

Holman CSB Study Bible, Leather, Full-Color, Review

I have really come to appreciate the Holman CSB Study Bible and it is close at hand in my study. This Bible is beautiful with color pages, photographs, maps, charts, and illustrations. With all of the notes, study guides, and commentary included, it feels like a library resource bundled with your Bible. It's BIG. 2,368 pages. It's heavy. 4 pounds. It's probably not going to be your every day carry Bible or even your take-to-the-pulpit Bible for preaching and teaching. I happen to like the size of this Bible, though. There's something special about picking up the Bible and feeling the weight of it, and turning the pages and seeing page after page of the Word of God illustrated and outlined so well. One note regarding the page-turning process: My edition has the silver gilded pages, and it is a slow process to separate the pages when you first get your copy. Be prepared for that task. The pages seem thin, even by Bible standards, and the gilded pages take some time and caution to separate.

Even if you don't carry this Bible daily, it might serve as one of your go-to study Bibles, as it has for me. If you appreciate more conservative theology, you will likely enjoy the commentary and notes included throughout this edition. I have been pleasantly surprised to read so many notes that are based on a strong conviction of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. In spite of our modern times and the redefining of many things in our culture, this Bible's notes provide a clear stance and alignment with God's Word in the areas I've read so far. For a Bible published so recently, this is a rare achievement. There are articles and study notes included that read very "old school" with conservative theology you don't find in many circles, Bibles, or books these days. It is a welcome addition and return to God's Word.

This Bible has many articles and expository notes that are distinctly counter-culture. They don't try to explain away or redefine confrontational or convicting passages throughout the Bible. This Bible is beautiful and well-made, but its content alone is worth the investment. I use it as a parallel study reference with my primary KJV Bible and commentaries. In fact, portions of it serve as a useful one-volume commentary.

I highly recommend this Bible. I purchased the real leather cover edition, at a steep discount due to a slight imperfection on the front cover. Retail price on this Bible was once around $160. Christian Books.com, where I purchased my discounted copy, had a copy recently on sale for $95. My copy was well below even that discounted price, so if you keep a watchful eye out, you might get a great deal on this excellent resource. You can currently get the hardcover version for around $30, and if you plan to keep this on your desk or in your study as a reference, hardcover might work for you.

https://www.christianbook.com/bible-black-premium-leather-thumb-indexed/9781433648069/pd/648069?event=ESRCG
I purchased my copy and provided this review without any requests from ChristianBook.com or Holman publishers.

Remembering Pastor Tom Simison, The Bible Church, Indianapolis - Pastor Appreciation Month, 2017

Bro. Tom Simison was my pastor for a short time, but the impact of his ministry will last a lifetime.

Bro. Simison preached many messages that impacted and blessed me and I remember one time during his message, "Sons Not Servants" Bro. Simison was clearly moved with a burden to connect this powerful concept to the congregation. He said, "I wish I could deliver this the way I feel it in my heart tonight." You could feel his desire to be a vessel that the Word could flow through to the Church. I know he was that vessel in many ways!I served as an assistant youth pastor and Sunday School teacher at The Bible Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, when Bro. Simison was pastor. I felt like Bro. Simison was a kind man who was always happy to see us. Even after we moved, when we would visit or see him at a conference or service somewhere, he would always smile and say "Bro. McGee!" in such a way that it was like a long-awaited reunion.

A couple of years after my wife and I started the church in Richmond, Kentucky, I invited Bro. Simison down to preach our dedication service. His health was struggling at the time, and he told me often he would have to sit down while he preached. He asked me if I still wanted him to come. I said, "Bro. Simison, you can preach better sitting down than any preacher can standing up! We will get you a special seat for the platform just for you." He came and preached for us and I remember he got so stirred up in the sermon that he barely sat down. Years later, people that attended that service still ask about Bro. Simison and reference that message!While he was with us in Richmond, we went out to eat and talked about the ministry and burden for Richmond. At the time, we had not seen very many of the major milestones a young church wants to see. I was discouraged and trying to make sure I hadn't missed God's timing. Bro. Simison asked me, "Did God call you here, Bro. McGee? Do you believe He brought you to this city?" I said I believed God did. Bro. Simison said, "Then you don't give up and don't quit. You keep believing and doing what God called you here to do. And you will see the harvest." That word kept me through many battles in the years that followed that conversation. It was Bro. Simison who told me,

Has God Said?

 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? -Genesis 3:1

In the Garden of Eden, the enemy's first attack was against the Word of God. "Has God said?" That question is being echoed in our day from many different directions, even within the Church walls.

"Has God said?" It's being labeled as a question of academic speculation. It's being painted as open-mindedness. But if these questions stir doubts about what God said, they are the beginning of deception and devilish doctrines. Every doubtful question about the accuracy of God's Word has its roots in that first question in the Garden.

"Has God said?" I've read far too many Christian books and articles lately that question the validity, the origin, and the Source of the Bible. I capitalize "Source" here because I believe God is the Source of the Bible. Detractors argue that there are many sources who contrived, wrote, and collected the Bible in a less inspired way than what we've been led to believe by the Bible.

I go to the Source and see that:

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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17