Summary of Misunderstood Texts of Scripture By Asa Mahan

Summary of Misunderstood Texts of Scripture by Asa Mahan

By Rick Friedrich
www.truthinheart.com
June 11, 2000

Misunderstood Texts is a book that answers the objections to the doctrine of the holiness higher life, and that seeks to thus build a biblical foundation and encouragement for those who are hungry for righteousness. After some forty years in the front lines of a holiness movement, and in the midst of counter assaults from many doctors of divinity, Asa gives us a book that uniquely illustrates a more correct interpretation of the texts commonly used to justify present sin in the justified Christian. He starts out, after stating the approval of Moses Stuart in the Preface, with the most elaborate exposition of Romans chapter seven, then moves on to another historical analysis of the true doctrine of the higher life. From there he expounds fourteen more proof-texts. In part two he reveals the foundations for the doctrine---of present sinfulness of the believer---while also revealing the foundations for the true doctine. In part three, the final chapter, he shows the practical tendencies of believing in either doctrine.

Below we hope to summarize each exposition and chapter for you as an added resource, and to recommend to you its value.

Part I.

1. Romans 7: 5-25
--Agreed by all that the true doctrine is decided upon by the exposition of this text.
--Correcting mistaken notion that "the greatest divines" have, since the Reformation, always held this to be the present state of the believer, by showing the opposite to be the exclusive position in the primitive church till the 4th century, and a common position since the Reformation.
--Primitive and post-primitive exposition of this passage.
--Cercumstances in which it was written--Heathans and Jews everywhere were denying "The just shall live by faith"
--Central object of apostle was to show this in opposition to especially the Jewish belief.
--In chapters 7 and 8 Paul shows the tendencies of sanctification by deeds of the law, and by faith.
--In chapter 8 we must become dead to the law because 1. it is imposible to obey in this corrupted flesh; 2. we can obey it through cleaving to Christ by faith only.
--Exclusive purpose in 7: 5-25 is to show the imposibility, because of the weekness of the flesh, to obey the law from motives merely from the law.
--Romans 8 we can through faith in Christ.
--Rom. 7: 5-25 serves to warn againts fruitless legal attempts at obeying the law in our own strength.
--Against all this the later interpretation claims that chapter 7 proves believers are still "carnal, sold under sin" and incapable of obeying the law through the Spirit by faith.
--The primitive interpretation brings complete hamony to the entire epistle.
--All agree that Paul speaks not as an individual but as a representative man.
--In chapter 7 as the legalist under the law; in 8 believer.
--Chapter 7 not referring merely to the unconverted but to any who are seeking righteousness.
--Two methods of both justification and sanctification are compared here: by faith, and by "the deeds of the law."
--Romans 9: 30-32 shows the error of the later and that the gentles do fulfill the law of righteousness by faith.
--Two camps existed as today, Apostles by faith and Jews by legality; each seeking converts.
--There are believers who sought justification by faith but are now seeking sanctification by "deeds of the law."

The absolute Unanimity of the Primitive Church in respect to this Primitive Exposition.
--Stuart: It is admitted by all historically conversant with this passage that Augustine was the first to hold the later position in the later part of his life.
--One of the greatest historians Neander found no trace of this doctine before this time.
--Agustine testified that it was his position and the rest of the church' that it was referring to a man "never under grace."
--Jerome too had once held the primative position but also changed later in life.
--Augustine came to this position because of a faulty argument by Pelagius.
--Further references to early expositions that the passage is about individuals under law and not under grace.
--The validity of the Primitive Exposition absolutely verified by the facts before us.
--The book was written before his arrival; it would have been well analyzed; he would have fully expounded it.
--Thus it would have been widely know whether he meant the primitive or later interpretation.
--As the primitive position was universal; one can hardly believe that Paul held contrary to it.
--The Primitive Exposition confirmed by the highest subsequent authority.
--Forms of Thought and Expression not found in this passage verify the Primitive, and falsify the Post-primitive, Exposition.
--Their distinct and opposite moral and spiritual Tendencies.
--The believer needs to see that he is shut up to only faith in Christ as opposed to legality in the pursuit.
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