Doctrinal House Cleaning

The founder of a famous Bible college and seminary used to tell his students the easiest way to draw a crowd was to start a fight.  We see this principle applied in many areas of life today, from political parties and protest groups to religious and business organizations.  Many of the controversies of history have arisen as a result of someone deliberately starting a fight over some relatively unimportant issue.  Luther is often credited with starting the Reformation, but in reading his ninety five theses, I was struck by the fact that initially his main complaint was that the Catholic Church in Rome was requiring the local parishes to send so much of the money they collected to Rome for the construction of St. Peters that the local parishes were being left destitute.  When Rome retaliated, he began to study the scriptures in an effort to defend his position, with the result that his doctrine changed dramatically.  Unfortunately, what drew the crowds was the conflict, rather than his doctrine.  Sadly, people still view conflict as exciting. 

Paul gives numerous warnings about such conflict. Pointing out in I Corinthians 3:3 that it is evidence of a carnal, unspiritual mindset.  Many times the conflicts arise over the meanings of certain words in passage of scripture.  II Timothy 2:14 warns that rather than drawing people closer to God, such arguments drive them away.  “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” I Timothy 6:4 describes the attitude of those involved and such arguments, and the results of those disputes.  “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”  While it might be the easiest way to gather a crowd, it counterproductive as far as producing strong Christians. 

II Timothy 2:15-19 tells us how to avoid getting caught up in such debates and conflicts.  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 

We need to take the time to study the scriptures thoroughly, keeping in mind that as II Peter 1:20-21 tells us, no passage of scripture is to be interpreted in a way that contradicts other scriptures.   “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  Simply taking the time to find out what the scriptures say will eliminate all the disputes except for a few minor questions of semantics, or how we express the same principle. 

We need to avoid being sucked in to the profane or worldly and meaningless debates, because they are about building a person or group’s reputation rather than about learning the truth.  The conflicts will cause constant irritation like a canker sore, encouraging people to ignore things God has actually said.  God’s word does not change to fit the newest doctrinal fad, but remains exactly the same.   Some of those who adopt the fads are not really Christians at all, but fortunately God knows who is and who isn’t.  God’s people need to obey him, not just go along with the false teachers. 

In a modern home there are containers that have tremendous value, such as the dishes and cooking utensils.   Others such as used plastic fruit containers and bags need to be thrown away, there are teachings in the church who are of great value and others that just get in the way of spiritual growth.  This is the illustration Paul used in II Timothy 2:20-21.  “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”  If we throw out the garbage, then our house will be much more satisfactory for God to live in.