Our scripture this morning tells of God creating the universe and the earth and every living thing on the earth. It is not a scientific article, telling us the how or when of creation. It is a faith account, telling us the who and why of creation. Most Christians do not have a great difficulty in accepting this distinction. Scriptural abuse is when a person uses the Bible to bolster his or her authority and contol over others.
Scriptural abuse is when a person uses the Bible in a self-serving and manipulative manner.
A pastor tells a woman who was recently widowed that she must thank God for her husband's death. The woman is shocked at this terrible advice. Therefore, God wants you to thank Him for your husband's death. This pastor was guilty of scriptural abuse. This pastor also forgot that Jesus wept at the graveside of his friend, Lazarus.