Yes, it is crucial to study the Bible without denominational bias because Scripture itself is the only reliable standard for truth.
Les Feldick emphasizes that denominational walls can blind people to what the Bible actually teaches. The goal is to discern truth from the Word itself, not from inherited tradition or group approval. As Les says, 'we don't twist arms' and encourages everyone to 'get into the Book' and see what it really says.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Paul instructs believers to study the Word rightly, which implies diligent, unbiased study.
The Bible calls believers to study the Word of God diligently. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul writes, 'Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' This implies a personal responsibility to engage with Scripture directly. Furthermore, Peter warns that 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (2 Peter 1:20), indicating that each verse must be understood in light of the whole of Scripture, not isolated by personal or denominational bias. The Bible also teaches that spiritual truths are discerned spiritually (1 Corinthians 2:14), reminding us that human understanding alone—apart from the Holy Spirit—cannot grasp what God has revealed.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that believers must set aside denominational bias and approach Scripture with an open mind. He describes his ministry as 'not associated with any group' and emphasizes that people from every background are welcome. His goal is to help people 'take away the blinders and get away from denominational narrow mindedness.' He warns that tradition can lock us into unbiblical positions, and he encourages believers to search the Scriptures for themselves rather than relying on what they have been told. Les believes that the Holy Spirit gives wisdom to discern truth, and that any teaching not found in the Bible should be rejected.
Les Feldick teaches that relying solely on denominational approval is unsafe because the standard must be the Word of God itself. He says, 'don't take anybody at their word, not mine, not anybody else' and insists that we must see what the Book says. He points out that denominations often build walls that can keep people from hearing truth, leaving them spiritually impoverished if they are in a group that does not teach it. Instead, believers should be able to 'discern from the Word by itself' with the Holy Spirit's wisdom.
Les Feldick warns that tradition can be a stumbling block. He says, 'so many of us have been hidebound by tradition, and if there's any word in the Scripture that is condemned, it's tradition.' He emphasizes that we must be careful not to be locked into traditions that are not in line with Scripture. The Bible itself condemns human traditions that nullify God's Word (Mark 7:13, though not quoted in transcript).
Les Feldick encourages everyone to become students of the Bible, not just readers. He cites 2 Timothy 2:15, saying that we are to 'study to show ourselves approved unto God.' He explains that the Bible is not only about seeing what is there, but also recognizing that some things we think are in Scripture are not there. This kind of study requires comparing Scripture with Scripture, as Peter says no Scripture is of private interpretation. By doing so, apparent contradictions fade away.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to discern truth from the Word. In his teaching, he mentions that the Holy Spirit enables believers to understand what the Bible says, not just human intellect. This aligns with the biblical teaching that spiritual things are spiritually discerned, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Removing Blinders
Les introduces the need to take away blinders and get away from denominational narrow-mindedness, showing that his ministry seeks to help people from all backgrounds study the Bible directly.
No Axe to Grind
Les emphasizes that he does not condemn others who disagree and encourages independent study, noting that many of us have been 'brainwashed' to think certain things are in the Bible when they are not.
Knocking Down Walls
Les explains that denominations build walls around their people, and he aims to knock down those walls so people can discern truth from the Word itself, with the Holy Spirit's wisdom.
Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God
You don't have to be highly educated, you don't have to have a great theological education to comprehend the Scriptures. Now of course that's what precipitated the Dark Ages, when the church had gotten so powerful that they had pulled the Scriptures away from the common man and brought it into the monasteries because they felt only the monks and the educated could discern the Word of God.
Search the Scriptures
Les instructs listeners to search the Scriptures to verify what is taught, and if they cannot find a teaching in the Bible, they should 'run from it' because God will judge us by His Word.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Les teaches that the best way to study is to compare Scripture with Scripture, as no Scripture is of private interpretation, and this method helps resolve apparent contradictions.
Beware of Tradition
Les warns against being 'hidebound by tradition' and emphasizes that tradition is condemned in Scripture when it is not in line with God's Word.
Daniel's Dream, the Antichrist & the Mark of the Beast
We, as I've said so often before, we're just an informal Bible study, and we don't try to twist people's arms out of one way of thinking into ours or anything like that, but we just like to open the Scriptures and help people to see what they really say. You know, so many of us have been hidebound by tradition, and if there's any word in the Scripture that is condemned, it's tradition.
2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This verse underscores the command to study the Bible diligently, which implies a personal, unbiased approach.
1 Corinthians 2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This explains that spiritual understanding requires the Holy Spirit, not human intellect or denominational teaching.
2 Peter 1:20: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
This warns against interpreting Scripture in isolation, encouraging a comprehensive study of the whole Bible.
Les does not condemn denominations themselves but warns against the walls they build. He encourages people to study the Bible for themselves and not depend solely on denominational teachings, as the Word is the ultimate standard.
Les recommends comparing Scripture with Scripture, praying for the Holy Spirit's wisdom, and being willing to let go of traditions that are not supported by the Word. He also advises not to take anyone's word—including his—but to search the Scriptures personally.
Tradition is condemned when it nullifies the Word of God. Les points out that being hidebound by tradition can keep us from seeing what the Bible actually teaches, and therefore we must be careful that our traditions align with Scripture.
Watch the Teaching: Has God Cast Away Israel? Romans 11:1-2 Finally Explained