Quote:
Originally posted by turmeric
One of my Dispie friend's favorite statements is that "we should just read the Word, not the teachings of men" by which she means R.C.Sproul. Then she listens to David Hocking. Now the thing is that we are both reduced to "listening to the teachings of men" and we would have to because neither of us are experts on exegesis.
I just get scared sometimes that I'm just believing things I want to be true, instead of what is true. How do we know?
|
Meg,
Yes, Greg Koukl's article is solid and insightful. But, a more Biblical answer is to plumb the New Testament for the descriptions of church order. This would include the places where Paul counsels the young pastor, Timothy to defend the Gospel against false teachers....
1 Timothy 1-20
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound[c] doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. ........
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
As to "teachings of men" the whole Bible was written by men (upheld by the Holy Spirit.) God has appointed certain men to teach the Word and be shepherds over us. Test every thing with the Word of God. (As the Bereans did.)
Robin
PS. Heresy is a specific false teaching pertaining to essential doctrines, btw. All mature Christians should be versed in the essential doctrines (3 Forms) so as to not fall victim to false teachers. Paul taught on this extensively.
