The Importance of Sound Doctrine

Man: The Dwelling Place of God ^ | A. W. Tozer

[ealgeone]

Amazing isn’t it.

[metmom]

The word *hypocrisy* is actually what comes to mind.

[Ezekiel]

This thread appears to be devolving into the usual battle of the doctrines and churches - who/what is superior.

The truth is in the Golden Rule. That’s the stone the builders [of human establishments] reject, but it’s the gate to the kingdom of God.

[FatherofFive]

They also need to accept as literal that Jesus is made of bread dough, wood, and green leaves and stems as well. I wonder why Catholics don't take THIS verse literally.

This IS my body.

God can do anything. Including turning bread into His body.

Or do you believe there are things God cannot do?

This IS my body

[FatherofFive]

If Catholics want to read John 6 as a literal statement to eat/drink Christ then Catholics have to accept as literal His command to cut off your hand and/or pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin.

That is literal

[ealgeone]

Then I presume you’ve cut your hand off and have plucked your eyes out?

[FatherofFive]

Then I presume you’ve cut your hand off and have plucked your eyes out?

So you don't believe what Christ says?

[ealgeone]

The question is have you, or any other Catholic, cut off your hands or plucked out your eyes. Your evasiveness speaks volumes.

[metmom]

No, because I’m not claiming any one denomination is the correct one.

No church or church body or religious organization is the sole repository of the truth and which is better.

What’s important is the truth found in Scripture.

The Truth is God, not found in something, even the Golden Rule, which is not found in Scripture either.

The stone the builders rejected isn’t theology or doctrine or some rule, like the Golden Rule, it’s Jesus Christ.

The stone is a person, not a concept.

[metmom]

No, God cannot do anything.

That is a false premise and anything built on that will not stand.

And it’s not even a matter of if God CAN change the host into the flesh and blood of Jesus, but whether or not He did.

And He didn’t because consuming blood is a sin and in violation of the entire body of Scripture.

Catholics are clearly metaphor challenged.

[metmom]

So you don't believe what Christ says?

Call no man *father*.

Catholics are in no position to berate non-Catholics for not accepting something as literal when they refuse to obey a clear, concise, unequivocal command of Jesus.

[metmom]

What about selling everything you have and giving it to the poor?

What about giving to everyone who asks?

If I asked a Catholic for all their money, do you think for a minute anyone of them would actually do it?

[ealgeone]

We can see by who gives Catholics are far outdone by Evangelicals.

[metmom]

Yup.

[Ezekiel]

The Truth is God, not found in something, even the Golden Rule, which is not found in Scripture either.

The Golden Rule *is* the Scripture: love your neighbor as yourself:

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The stone the builders rejected isn’t theology or doctrine or some rule, like the Golden Rule, it’s Jesus Christ.

The Messiah *is* the Law, because he embodies it, lives it, breathes it.... he is the very word of God manifested in a human being.

The stone is a person, not a concept.

The person - the Messiah - is the entire concept of the Law. He's the one showing people how to fulfill the Law because he *is* the Law: it's how he does things and who he is.

This is so simple. It/he is the stone (building block) the builders of human establishments have rejected in favor of the weaponized Scripture formed from religious 'expertise'. Kind of like fire. What should have been for their welfare has become a fire trap.

Matthew 22

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Things are going to get pretty interesting. As the opening act, the political establishment is being thrown down brick by brick, but the religious establishments can't seem to catch a clue, especially the "end times prophecy generation". Settled doctrines, who could possibly unseat them?

Anyway, here's my favorite image:

[boatbums]

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer

Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. —Basil of Caesarea

Once you learn to discern, there’s no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

[boatbums]

Jesus also said that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will never hunger or thirst. If we STILL get hungry and thirsty, does that mean we don't believe Jesus? Or...just maybe he was talking about a spiritual hunger and thirst? Funny how some want to claim they alone take Jesus literally in one area but then shift midstream to a figurative meaning within the same example. Sound doctrine comes from sound hermeneutic principles.

[Mr. M.J.B.]

“A rule of altruistic reciprocity was first stated positively in a well-known [or not...] Torah verse”

[daniel1212]

So which Church? There can't be multiple 'Truths'

The only church that was purchased with the sinless blood of Christ, and is His body and His bride, which alone always only consists 100% of believers at all times (there are even a few RCs in it). Thus it cannot refer to any one particular church, which inevitably become amalgams of wheat and tares.

Do you want to contend one particular church is the source of truth? It cannot be the RCC, since its distinctives are nowhere evident in the NT church of Scripture ( Acts onward, which are interpretive of the gospels).

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Colossians 1:24)

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)

[daniel1212]

So which 'Church' is the pillar and foundation of Truth? “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15

It is "the church of the living God," thus eliminating the particular church called the "holy Roman church."

Meanwhile, the Greek does not teach what Caths invoke this verse as teaching, as if the church was not subject to Scripture as supreme.