What the Bible doesn't Say
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5 - 6)
What does the Bible not say? The best way to present the article and the theme in itself is to bring everyone back to the eighties. In a time where people’s hair was too voluminous for comprehension, a small village in Bomont, Oklahoma, is gripped with the inability to dance. The reason why is because the preacher has deemed it to be sinful. If you don’t recognize it, it’s the setting for the 1984 movie Footloose. However, people adding to the Bible with their own beliefs is something that has been a reality for as long as the Bible has existed.
Why does something like this? Human error is the absolute answer. From that, there are differing branches that can be tapped into. Claiming that one's word is the Word of God is an easy way to claim power in any situation, as the reverence to YHWH is there. Another reasoning could be mistranslation and misinterpretation of biblical text while transcribing it into a specific language. There are so many reasons as to why things that should've never been in the Bible or become common sayings attributed to the Father are said.
However, we must be clear that the Bible talks about it, and the punishments that come from it.
To begin, Revelations 22:18 - 19 says:
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
- Revelations 22:18 - 19
We are to take note that the book of Deuteronomy says “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2) and “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32). The Bible is clear on the punishment: you will be rebuked by the Father and called a liar (Proverbs 30:5-6).
There are countless accounts of things that people tend to consider being true but aren’t. There is no mention of angels having wings or halos. The fruit in the garden probably wasn’t an apple. Advent and Lent? Human inventions. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" is not a verse in the Bible. Those are all examples of false doctrines: things that have been added by humans that can eventually lead us to our destruction. These are things that have, knowingly or not, been brought about to distract us and lead us away from the truth of the Father (Matthew 24:24).
In conclusion, there is a certain string of reality in the 1984 classic Footloose. What one can take from a viewing of the movie is the overall effect of false doctrines and false teachers on an unsuspecting flock of believers. With the arrival of Christ soon to take His church, we must all be wary of false teachers and cling onto the truth that is Yeshua out of love, but also out of fear of what could happen if we are led astray.