Refuting Arnold Murray: The Importance of the Word of God Verses vs. False Teachings
To Arnold Murray and the Followers of Shepherd’s Chapel
Grace and peace to you in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins and rose victorious from the grave. It is with a love for the truth of Scripture that I write, addressing how the teachings of Arnold Murray and Shepherd’s Chapel deviate from the written Word of God.
The Word of God is clear, authoritative, and unchanging. To distort its message is to obscure the importance of the Word of God verses, which guide us in truth. God’s Word reveals His goodness and invites all who believe to know Him through His perfect plan of salvation.
The Importance of the Word of God Verses
The importance of the Word of God verses cannot be overstated.
As 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
However, Arnold Murray’s teachings often distort this truth. For example, speculative doctrines like the “serpent seed” theory undermine the integrity of Scripture by adding elements God never intended. Peter warns against such distortions in 2 Peter 1:20-21:
“No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Furthermore, Murray’s denial of the literal doctrine of hell, coupled with his teaching of a “second chance” doctrine for those he deems to have missed an opportunity to follow God, contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible unequivocally declares that this is the time of grace. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 states:
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
The Word of God is sufficient as it stands. Adding speculative ideas diminishes the beauty and power of Scripture, which is divinely inspired to guide us in truth and righteousness. Let us cling to its unchanging message, free from human invention.
God’s Goodness Verses and Salvation for All
God’s goodness verses remind us of His mercy and grace. As Psalm 145:9 declares:
“The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”
Murray’s teachings often portray salvation as reserved for a select group, distorting God’s universal invitation to salvation. Isaiah 45:22 states:
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
The gospel unites all believers under Christ. Galatians 3:28 affirms:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
God’s goodness is evident in His universal offer of salvation, not in exclusionary doctrines that elevate certain groups.
The Importance of the Word of God and his Truth
The written Word of God is the foundation of all biblical truth, guiding believers in faith and righteousness with clarity and authority. It reveals God’s expectations, His promises, and His eternal nature. Psalm 119:105 perfectly sums it up:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Now, Arnold Murray’s speculative teachings—like the “sixth-day creation” theory—veer wildly off-course. For those unfamiliar, this theory claims there were separate Adams and Eves created for different races, which conveniently ignores both Scripture and common sense. Honestly, the Bible is as silent on this topic as Murray’s theology is loud and inaccurate. Genesis 2:7 leaves no wiggle room:
“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”
Eve, as Scripture clearly calls her, is the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). It’s a pretty direct statement. Yet, Murray’s teachings attempt to divide humanity into different categories of Adams and Eves, as if God was running some sort of custom creation workshop. This is not only unsupported by Scripture but also undermines the importance of the Word of God verses, which emphasize the unity of all humanity under Christ.
Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 15:22 for the mic-drop moment:
“As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
Also, doesn’t Murray miss the elephant in the room? If there really were multiple righteous Adams and Eves walking with God, wouldn’t Scripture mention them? God is crystal clear about two people walking with Him in the Garden, Adam and Eve. Wouldn’t this have been the perfect time to introduce all those other “sixth-day” couples who supposedly shared this paradise? Instead, Scripture focuses exclusively on one Adam and one Eve, through whom sin entered the world and through whom redemption would come in Christ.
In other words, the Bible makes it clear: all of humanity shares a common origin in Adam, and through Christ, we share a common hope for redemption. There’s no fine print about “sixth-day people” or “extra Eves.”
These verses affirm the sufficiency of Scripture to guide believers into all truth without needing creative embellishments. Murray’s teachings on topics like soul sleep (another one of his speculative gems) and his reinterpretation of Genesis are more imaginative than factual. But let’s be real—Scripture doesn’t need a plot twist or a sequel. It’s already the perfect story of God’s goodness, mercy, and plan for salvation.
So, let’s stick to what the Bible says, not what Murray wishes it did. It’s clearer, simpler, and—most importantly—true.
God’s Goodness Verses
The Bible doesn’t just whisper about God’s mercy and love—it practically shouts it from the rooftops! As Psalm 145:9 proclaims:
“The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”
God’s goodness is a cornerstone of biblical teaching, but Arnold Murray seems to have missed the memo. His doctrines often emphasize exclusivity, as if God handed out VIP salvation passes to a select few. Newsflash: the God’s goodness verses make it crystal clear that His mercy is universal. Isaiah 45:22 throws it down:
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
That’s right—all the ends of the earth. Not just Murray’s “chosen few,” but everyone. The gospel is for all who believe, regardless of their background, and Galatians 3:28 drives the point home:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
No exceptions, no fine print, no secret club. The importance of the Word of God verses lies in their ability to reveal God’s goodness and the universal nature of His mercy. By focusing on these truths, we uphold His plan to bring all who believe into His kingdom.
So let’s ditch the exclusivity and embrace the gospel for what it is: a message of hope, grace, and God’s goodness for everyone. Even Arnold Murray could get on board—if he’d just read the plain text of Scripture.
Jesus Christ as the Word Made Flesh
You rightly affirm that Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, as John 1:14 declares:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
But here’s where things get a little off the rails. Shepherd’s Chapel often treats the sufficiency of Christ’s work like it’s a group project. You know, the kind where one person does all the work (Christ), but others (Murray’s “elite force”) want to take the credit. Spoiler alert: Christ didn’t ask for backup.
This notion of a select group being uniquely chosen to oppose Satan not only distorts the gospel but also makes it sound like some kind of cosmic dodgeball team. Scripture, however, is clear: the gospel’s invitation is for everyone who believes. John 1:12 puts it plainly:
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Victory over Satan belongs to Christ alone. He doesn’t need our help or a second string. Believers are called to stand in His strength, not form an elite squad of redeemed superheroes. Ephesians 6:10 sums it up:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
Christ’s work is complete, perfect, and sufficient for the salvation of all who believe. No auditions required.
Conclusion
To Arnold Murray and the followers of Shepherd’s Chapel, I urge you to return to the truth of Scripture. The written Word of God is sufficient to teach, reprove, correct, and train in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). There is no need for speculative doctrines or human reinterpretations.
The importance of the Word of God verses and the God’s goodness verses affirm the sufficiency of God’s Word:
- God is good to all, and His mercy endures forever.
- Salvation is available through Jesus Christ to everyone who believes.
- Scripture alone is inspired by God and does not require speculative additions.
May the God of truth and grace lead you into a fuller understanding of His Word.
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Solomon Trueman
