Posted on 02/28/2017 7:05:04 AM PST by metmom
IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE to overemphasize the importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian. Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative if we would have right living. As men do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles, sound character does not grow out of unsound teaching.
The word doctrine means simply religious beliefs held and taught. It is the sacred task of all Christians, first as believers and then as teachers of religious beliefs, to be certain that these beliefs correspond exactly to truth. A precise agreement between belief and fact constitutes soundness in doctrine. We cannot afford to have less.
The apostles not only taught truth but contended for its purity against any who would corrupt it. The Pauline epistles resist every effort of false teachers to introduce doctrinal vagaries. John's epistles are sharp with condemnation of those teachers who harassed the young church by denying the incarnation and throwing doubts upon the doctrine of the Trinity; and Jude in his brief but powerful epistle rises to heights of burning eloquence as he pours scorn upon evil teachers who would mislead the saints.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldinvisible.com ...
Tozer ping
“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:13–14)
Sound Words=Sound Doctrine
Sound doctrine is good, written doctrine is better.
(Ok, back to being serious.)
“But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15
It’s about the WORD, not man-nmade church doctrine.
:)
Yeah, that is your made up doctrine. That is not what Scripture says.
Scripture tells us what to do:
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the Church; and if he refuses to listen even to the Church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Right – the Church.
Yes, but who wants to have their children molested by the clergy?.
Who wants their children bullied and exploited by sponsored illegal aliens?
US Christianity has a lot of house cleaning to do before claiming any ground of exclusive righteousness.
Most Christian institutions are simply family unfriendly and unsafe for the young and for the aged. There are exceptions, but they are minority in the mix of things.
Buyer Beware!
Please don't be disingenuous and take verses out of context to support your favorite church doctrine. That is NOT sound doctrine.
Matthew 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
This passage in no way establishes ultimate authority of any organization claiming to be the OTC™ church over every believer.
Tozer does not advocate here for sound doctrine being the sole purview of a church.
Any believer can compare doctrine to Scripture and see if it lines up.
Nobody needs to be a seminary educated theologian or listen to one to recognize sound doctrine.
And you are correct, nobody DOES want that for their children.
I don’t see Tozer claiming exclusive righteousness of any one denomination here.
Then what does, "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." mean?
Sounds like Christ establishing a Church with teaching authority.
That is a poor translation of 1 Tim 3:15. Rather than foundation of the truth, it should be translated buttress of the truth.
Some translation use "foundation", but this is wrong. Look at the original language to verify.
The church supports truth, or else it is not the church. The church is not the source of truth, but it is only the church if it proclaims the truth.
So which Church? There can't be multiple 'Truths'
I don’t see Tozer claiming exclusive righteousness of any one denomination here.>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“We need right now a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever.”
Pretty much implied.
It isn’t dogma that is needed. Its ACTION of purification and genuine egoless kindness.Institutions today are incapable of such a thing. The bleating sheep need no shepherds in the name of divinity,they must connect directly and become gentle, unwavering warriors. Purification follows naturally.The Divine then annoints leaders directly and clearly for ALL to see, no big deal. Leaders who are willing to give up leadership on a moments notice, unattached beyond
any desire for personal gain or even credit.
That’s when Doctrine will be able to become sound.
Our Catholic friends would well to read this.
Paul says otherwise in 1 Cor 13:2.
John says otherwise in 1 Jn 2:9
Do you want me to go on?
You mean Scripture by itself isn't sufficient???
ALL believers.
Christ said where two or three are gathered together, He is in their midst.
Individual believers have the power to agree on something in prayer and expect to see it happen.
Your post reflects why this article is pertinent to Catholicism.
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