When the Bible appeals to the beginning of time, we ought to have our antennae stick up and take notice and say, be careful, this is a warning that we ought not to be treating this loosely as a mere historical custom, but that it has historical roots that reach all the way back to creation.
Deeper study is sometimes needed in certain areas if we're to get a fuller understanding of the text. Sometimes there are controversies that are being addressed, or cultural or political situations that are directly being responded to, or common expressions, turns of phrase that we no longer use today.
Dr. R.C. Sproul outlines four basic guidelines to help determine the difference between principle and custom in the Bible.
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