5. “… in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison” (I Peter 3:19).
“So, Pastor, is that saying that between our Lord’s death and resurrection, He made an appearance in hell—Hades, Sheol, somewhere!—to preach to all the Old Testament people so they would have the opportunity to be saved?”
My answer: “I don’t know.”
I do not know what that is saying. My pastor knows. He’s written extensively on the question, and I respect him mightily. But I personally do not know.
And I am perfectly willing to leave it there. I’m not pastoring and the issue doesn’t bother me and no one ever asks me about it.
Finally, a few observations on responding to our members regarding the “hard sayings” of the Word …
1. Pastor, liberate yourself from needing to have the definitive answer to every textual problem.
You are not John MacArthur. In fact, I’m not even sure John MacArthur is John MacArthur. (Having said that, I think I’ll just let it lay there.)
Granted, some in your congregation will feel you have punted when you say what I just did about a Bible question (“I don’t know.”). The truly child-like among your people will appreciate your honesty, but the immature will want to take you to the woodshed. In fact, they will even misquote I Peter 3:15 in which we are instructed to “always be ready to make a defense” (give an answer) “to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” Your response is a sweet: “Oh, I’m more than ready to tell why I believe in Jesus and know that I’m saved. Is that what you wanted to know?”
As they grow and mature, your people will encounter numerous questions concerning God and His Word that do not yield to easy answers, and they will liberate you the shepherd from the need to know all things. Until then, be patient and honest with them.
2. On the other hand, you should devote yourself to knowing God’s word and being familiar with the various issues concerning difficult passages.
Nothing we say here is meant to affirm your laziness, preacher.
When someone whom I do not know berated me on Facebook the other day because I did not agree with his interpretation on some obscure text—and even invited me to call him on the phone so he could teach me!—I pointed out I have devoted my entire adult life to understanding God’s Word and learning how to teach it. This is no hobby of mine. Nor of yours, pastor.
That is not to say I understand it all. No one does. No one. (Even though some think they do. We’ll save that subject for another time.)
“Study to show yourself approved.” That line from II Timothy 2:15, simply means to “work hard at showing yourself approved,” and is not calling on us to “study,” the way kids in school understand the term. But for generations, it was taught to us in just that way.
In other words, preacher, hit the books! Study the Word.
These days with the internet, pastors and teachers have ten thousand resources at their fingertips for plumbing the depths of research and understanding on these matters. And, let us admit, therein lies the problem. No one can sift through 10,000 sources. So, we will wisely limit ourself to a dozen or so whose insights we can check out regularly, and have two or three mentors to contact personally when needed.
