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The Gospel message gets distorted. That's Church History 101. And we are to be vigilant, for sure. But spotting error and calling it out is dangerous business, and carries with it certain unexpected side effects. John Newton has come good advice.
Recent Entries
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Minding Our Own Theological Store
July 9, 2009
Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
Paul here is telling Timothy to keep his own theological house in order. John Newton (yes, the Amazing Grace John Newton, and a remarkable letter writer) had some thoughts in a correspondence to another pastor, reflecting later in his life on the role of being other people's "theological keeper."
The longer I live, the more I see of the vanity and the sinfulness of our unchristian disputes; they eat up the very vitals of religion.
I grieve to think how often I have lost my time and my temper in that way, in presuming to regulate the vineyards of others, when I have neglected my own; when the beam in my own eye has so contracted my sight tht I could discern nothing but the mote in my neighbor's.
I am now desiroius to choose a better part. Could I speak the publican's words with a proper feeling, I wish not for the tongue of men or angels to fight about notions or sentiments.
I allow that every branch of gospel truth is precious, that errors are abounding, and that it is our duty to bear an honest testimony to what the Lord has enabled us to find comfort in and to instruct with meekness such as are willing to be instructed; but I cannot see it my duty - I believe it would be my sin - to attempt to beat my notions into other people's heads.
Too often I have attempted it in time past; but now I judge that both my zeal and my weapons were carnal. When our dear Lord asked Peter after his fall and recovery, he didn't say, "Are you wise, learned and eloquent?" He didn't say, "Are you clear, sound, and orthodox?" Instead he asked Peter, "Lovest thou me?"
An answer to this was sufficient then; why not now? Any other answer, we may believe, would have been insufficient then. If Peter had made the most pompous confession of his faith and sentiments, still the first question would have been, "Lovest thou me?"
Paul here is telling Timothy to keep his own theological house in order. John Newton (yes, the Amazing Grace John Newton, and a remarkable letter writer) had some thoughts in a correspondence to another pastor, reflecting later in his life on the role of being other people's "theological keeper."
The longer I live, the more I see of the vanity and the sinfulness of our unchristian disputes; they eat up the very vitals of religion.
I grieve to think how often I have lost my time and my temper in that way, in presuming to regulate the vineyards of others, when I have neglected my own; when the beam in my own eye has so contracted my sight tht I could discern nothing but the mote in my neighbor's.
I am now desiroius to choose a better part. Could I speak the publican's words with a proper feeling, I wish not for the tongue of men or angels to fight about notions or sentiments.
I allow that every branch of gospel truth is precious, that errors are abounding, and that it is our duty to bear an honest testimony to what the Lord has enabled us to find comfort in and to instruct with meekness such as are willing to be instructed; but I cannot see it my duty - I believe it would be my sin - to attempt to beat my notions into other people's heads.
Too often I have attempted it in time past; but now I judge that both my zeal and my weapons were carnal. When our dear Lord asked Peter after his fall and recovery, he didn't say, "Are you wise, learned and eloquent?" He didn't say, "Are you clear, sound, and orthodox?" Instead he asked Peter, "Lovest thou me?"
An answer to this was sufficient then; why not now? Any other answer, we may believe, would have been insufficient then. If Peter had made the most pompous confession of his faith and sentiments, still the first question would have been, "Lovest thou me?"
