10 Jan 07 Preface
In an earlier post I wrote about an advanced Bible Study group dedicated to pursuing some of the more difficult passages which have troubled and perplexed us through the years.
I begin such a discussion knowing full well that I could be wrong.
Part of my own spiritual maturing is the realization that I could be wrong.
Even in those strongly held beliefs I could be wrong.
Even in the way I’ve interpreted these scriptures I could be wrong.
I say this so that we all realize that each of us must stand or fall based on what Jesus said not what I (or any other preacher, teacher) believe.
John 12:44-50 (NCV) Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in me is really believing in the One who sent me. Whoever sees me sees the One who sent me. I have come as light into the world so that whoever believes in me would not stay in darkness. "Anyone who hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge, because I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for those who refuse to believe in me and do not accept my words. The word I have taught will be their judge on the last day. The things I taught were not from myself. The Father who sent me told me what to say and what to teach. And I know that eternal life comes from what the Father commands. So whatever I say is what the Father told me to say."
We should consider the opinions and examine the beliefs of godly men and women of faith.
Their faith experiences allow us to test the validity of our own beliefs.
We are not, however, saved by their opinions or faithful to God because we hold fast to their interpretations.
As difficult as it might be to think, Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone could have been wrong.
Walter Scott, J.W. McGarvery, James O’Kelly, Rice Haggard, Elias Smith, Abner Jones, David Lipscomb and any other leader of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement that birthed the Churches of Christ in America might have been wrong.
With so many educated people who were "wrong" before these men appeared can we honestly believe that they finally got it all right?
Regardless of our education, our sincerity, and even our intention any one of us could be wrong. (I am not in any way intending to link my name with these pioneers of our movement in America).
Do not mistake these thoughts as an attempt to throw stones or tear down the opinions or beliefs of respected pioneers of the Restoration Movement. It is simply naive to believe we have the exclusive edition on "the right way to do things."
Salvation and hinges upon a correct understanding (and accepting) of the Good News that faith in Jesus Christ is the source of salvation.
Fellowship within the body of Christ hinges upon a correct understanding (and accepting) of the Good News that faith in Jesus Christ is the source of salvation.
Salvation and fellowship do not demand that we agree upon any other method or manner to live out or practice our faith in Jesus Christ.
I will not stand, in confidence, before God on the basis of what any other person believes or teaches regarding following Christ.
Neither should you.
I will stand, in absolute confidence, before God on the basis of how Jesus Christ said I should live to follow him.
So should you.
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Well said. I just hope you’re not wrong on this!
My blog tomorrow is along the same lines of thinking, only I approach in from the Sadduccees and their doctrine of resurrection … which was not just wrong, but dead wrong!
Great thoughts. Fantastic attitude. Press on. There is a tremendous need for this kind of thinking and teaching. Central is blessed to have you.
“Salvation and fellowship do not demand that we agree upon any other method or manner to live out or practice our faith in Jesus Christ.”
I’m not sure about all that you mean to say. Do you mean if you are walking in the light and I am walking in the light, then we have fellowship with one another? That sounds “right” to me.
However, I tend to lean to the idea that how we live out and practice our faith in Jesus have a lot to do with what, or rather who, we have put our trust in. There will be some conformity in expectations of what living as a Christian is. For example, love should guide our life in the Body, as well as dedication to truth.
As a struggling teacher of the Gospel, I am called by God to humbly call them as I see them. Exclusiveness is just being silly. And most often prideful. But I perceive from time to time a paranoia about getting some things “right”, even if it’s just a few things, that leaves me quite perplexed.
I’m not sure how much I remember about all the restoration guys. I remember all their names from many sermons. And I know that Alexander Campbell, for sure, was influential in the beginning of what we call our fellowship. But they ALL didn’t end up where we are, did they? I know most of them came out of other ideologies (is that the right word?) because of their discomfort with the teachings and searched for a better way. I know Martin Luther, obviously, didn’t end up as one of “us.” It was a journey for them. A journey of searching the Scriptures for a better way. When it is all said and done, each of us will be judged according to the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. I still believe (yes, Greg, you still have work to do with me) that what “we” teach is closer to Scripture than anything else I have any personal knowledge of. But I no longer believe that our way is right and cannot be wrong unless it can be read in black and white in the Book. To believe I have it “absolutely right” probably means I’ve had a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, and I don’t think we are “supposed to believe that,” either. The overriding and most important factor in any of this is, as I think you said, faith in Jesus Christ and listening to His direction.
(BTW - Of late, I’ve had to question whether or not the Holy Spirit ONLY deals in our lives through the word. But I guess that’s another discussion, huh!?)
I appreciate your perspective and comments.
Brady, That’s exactly what I mean. We are called (which will be my eventual conclusion) to live holy lives and serve God as we wait for Jesus to return. The attempt to exalt “the way we do things”, in regards to our church practices, as conditions of fellowship or salvation is a difficult pill to swallow.
Here’s what perplexes me. This seems so obvious. I can’t imagine thinking that I have everything right. And yet I have come across so many people who hold that opinion. That in their faith, in their beliefs, they have everything right!
How does that even happen?
Steve: You have to be right on everything to understand. I happen to understand!
[...] First, to all the "Blogger.com" bloggers out there, I offer my condolences as it has been most difficult and very time consuming to even access your blog lately, even using DSL. I’ve not read some of my favorite bloggers because I simply cannot open your site. Or, I can get to your site, but trying to respond is a futile endeavor. I’m starting a few sermons Sunday on "Death, Dying, and Destination." Actually, it’s about death, dying and heaven, but heaven didn’t start with a "D" so I went with a "D" word. I’ve heard really good preachers use alliteration … a lot, so I’m giving it a shot and see if my preaching improves. If so, I’m thinking of writing a book, "Affirming Your Assembly via Alliteration!" Anyway, nothing like starting the year on the upbeat, huh? DEATH: COMING YOUR WAY! Actually, we’ve had several funerals lately and ours is a graying congregation, so I am often asked questions about death, dying and heaven by not only our church members, but by some of the families I serve as a funeral director. Out of curiosity, I Googled the question, "What happens when we die?" and got a measly 13,800,000 pages! There are as many opinions on this subject as there are people. This topic has been hotly debated throughout the history of mankind. When Jesus came on the scene, there was a sharp division between Pharisees and Sadducees over this (and other) issues. I have no idea how many Sadducees there were in his day, but the resurrection of Jesus proved them wrong! Imagine that? A belief that is held deeply and dearly by an entire group of religious people turns out to be wrong. Say it ain’t so! How many of us hear something "new" and immediately think, "That’s not the way I was taught" or "I just can’t buy that" or "Bro. So-and-So (a revered preacher) didn’t believe it that way" and so the new teaching or insight (ir anything we’ve not heard and accepted before) is rejected based on religious tradition or personal preference? Truth be damned!Those religious people in Jesus’ day were good people. Sincere people. People who wanted to honor God. People who believed truth as they understood it. People who placed no hope in resurrection and taught against it with a passion. And they were wrong. Dead wrong. Job’s friends had a similar problem. The question of Job is, "Does Job (or man) fear (serve) God for nothing?" Suppose a man who is blameless and upright were to be subjected to utter devastation, how would such a man react? Their doctrine was one of reward and retribution … that God rewarded righteousness with prosperity and health (can we all say "Joel Osteen"?) and punished the evil. So we have a man who is, in fact, blameless and filled with integrity who suffers beyond imagination. This simply could never happen according to their doctrine, but Job is living proof that not only can it happen, it is happening! His friends show up and can’t believe their eyes. So what do they do with the evidence that their doctrine is wrong? They refuse to deny their doctrine! They would rather believe what they’de always believed than admit their theology could possibly be wrong! Not just wrong, but dead wrong. Is it possible we might do the same? Just a thought . . . BTW, Randy had some good thoughts along this same line of reasoning yesterday. If you missed it, click here. [...]
I think of Fonzie on Happy Days years ago who could not say, “I’m wrong.” That was perceived by him as being cool. I think it has been perceived as bing cool in our brotherhood to have logical understanding of the scriptures in order to have the right teaching. Once we have the right teaching, we stop there. The right teaching never saved anyone. Jesus did.
I pray that more and more we can admit our wrong, listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance, and get about the business of being the kingdom Jesus called us to be in order to bring others to Him.