A Gospel Sage: Who are we to audaciously question some who undoubtedly have been indoctrinated in the ways of Christ, perhaps even ‘pillars’ of some ‘grace’ community, ‘prophets’ in their own estimation, and diviners of all matters relating to the scriptures? Those who have convinced themselves that they have some private ‘keys’ to the kingdom which can unlock almost every door, some v.i.p. pass to access the ‘inner court’ and who have already determined to not allow the scriptures to get in the way of their theology, bottling up the ‘water of life’ for their own consumption, to be dispensed as needed in reaffirming their own biblical correctness, as they ‘childproof’ the scriptures from “the simplicity that is in Christ.” II Corinthians 11:3.
A friend just recently mentioned sending one such individual a short paper questioning his position on a particular aspect of biblical ‘truth’ that he himself saw a bit differently, but decided to opt out. Sounded like a good idea to me! Why unsettle our own thoughts, and burden our minds in attempting to ‘correct’ those who differ from us in matters that do not directly affect the gospel? Especially those who have elevated themselves above the scrutiny of all “in the camp” II Peter 1:1, or “outside the camp” Revelation 22:15, in pretending to possess some innate ability, not only in all matters relating to the gospel of Christ, but everything contained in the scriptures (under the banner of it’s christocentric embodiment,) which if questioned would be equivalent to ‘gospel’ suicide.
Not sure why this comes to mind now, but a few months ago I sat ringside to a short FB debate on some theological point, which conversation was ended with these lines, which I copied down because it seemed like such a thoughtless affirmation, but more so because it came from one whom I regard (not that my opinion matters) as one that loves Christ. “I sent you the list of scriptures that the Lord used in my own heart to bring me to see this truth, so for you to say that it is false, is to deny the very work of the Spirit having taught me and the clear testimony of the Scriptures. I would be very careful.” I won’t spend the time to pick that statement apart at this moment, but needless to say, acting like some ‘gospel’ sage is never a good idea! I truly wish some of these individuals the ‘best’ in whatever way the LORD carries them along, especially if CHRIST is preached. Philippians 1:18. With that in mind, should we even be ‘correcting’ everyone’s theology? Everyone is a pope in their own thoughts, so easily upset if others do not recognize their ‘divine’ authority, their ‘office’ in the ‘church’ or their unique insight in expounding the scriptures. We know what we know, and no one can rattle our belief system, as deep within we have persuaded ourselves that we are right and everyone else is wrong, regardless of what pious glaze we put upon our own ignorance! Every once in a while as the mental fog dissipates we may indeed get small glimpses of the fact that we are all completely in the hand of the LORD, “in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10. Ultimately, “the deceived and the deceiver are HIS,” Job 12:16, but so are the “holy” and the “peculiar,” I Peter 2:9, and what glorious consolation lies therein! “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those, the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” Isaiah 35:8. Christ is our wisdom! I Corinthians 1:30. In consideration of the fact that this is thankfully all out of our hands, we are forced to return to our dust-like mentality, Job 30:19, 42:6, in realizing that the ‘light’ of Christ cannot be switched off and on. All true knowledge of the CHRIST of scripture comes to us, (regardless of any attempts on our part to enlighten ourselves,) via divine revelation! Revelation 3:7. Nothing more, nothing less! “For with thee is the fountain of life, in thy light shall we see light.” Psalms 36:9.
Along those same lines I was just thinking about many that almost seem to enjoy debating the scriptures, whereas I’ve always been afraid of such confrontations, and generally hide, as it’s almost 100% guaranteed that I’ll lose, if there are even any winners or losers in such debates. Some are so persuasive, impressive and clear minded, whereas I’m none of those things, and generally all too easily confounded. Besides, I’ve always been afraid of that sort of thing, as it would expose my shallowness in so many theological matters, and, let’s face it, who wants to look stupid? We all want to be seen as high rollers, whatever our field of expertise may be! But some are really good at debating theological matters and smart at making their opponents look dumb. II Timothy 2:25.
One has to wonder though, at what point do you cross over to the other side of the fence when answering a fool according to his folly, (“answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him,” Proverbs 26:4,) or giving that which is holy unto the dogs? “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6. Let’s not make mincemeat of the Bible in chopping it into little theological pieces for everyone to chew on or barter away the truth of the Gospel in such a ramshackle way.
Debating the absoluteness of GOD, sovereign divine predestination, efficacious grace & calling unto CHRIST, HOLY SPIRIT ‘regeneration,’ the oneness of GOD, the DEITY of the SON, the perfection of holy scripture, free justification by the blood and righteousness of CHRIST alone, absolute and effectual redemption at the cross, the complete insignificance, valuelessness and futility of man, &c., these and other inseparable gospel presuppositions are clearly delineated in the scriptures of truth, and to some measure, (“according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith,” Romans 12:3,) recognizably discerned as revealed to the elect in every generation. Mark 4:11-12.
In some sense, there is nothing to debate! It has all been settled by the gospel of Christ. Let’s stop pretending that we are Peter or Paul, going about and contending for the truth of the gospel at a time when there was no official canon of Holy Scripture. That was then, this is now! Now we have a “more sure word of prophecy,” II Peter 1:19, and “that which is perfect is come,” I Corinthians 13:10, as the light of CHRIST in the gospel has been revealed to his own. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Matthew 11:25. With all our carefully polished theological terms, scrutinous exegesis and refined hermeneutics we will never turn a goat into a sheep, or a tare into wheat! In one very real sense we are all shipwrecked on the shore of God’s absolute decree which has its eternal center in the blessed Person of our LORD and SAVIOUR Jesus Christ.
Besides, so many of these parochial disputes have been hashed out over the eons of so-called church history, but once the record stops spinning (often stuck in the same theological groove for ages) and the sound begins to fade, we’re all too often left with nothing but “a bag with holes.” “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6. Overall I suppose there is a place for debating the truth of holy scripture, especially if it’s in defense of the Gospel, Philippians 1:17, but only if the debates are not held in Capernaum! “And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house he asked them, what was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace, for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.” Mark 9:33-34.
In a reference to those that are squabbling outside the lines of the gospel in attempting to remove everyone’s right ear, John 18:10, for the least ‘infraction’ it might be well to refresh our memories to the fact that all those that belong to CHRIST are sincerely seeking the same thing, which is his glory! It’s inevitable, and it’s that bond which cannot be broken regardless of man’s attempt to split it with his theological ax! Romans 16:17. MPJ