Post by Les Brewer on Feb 27, 2019 22:06:46 GMT
IN-HOUSE DEBATES:
Concerning doctrine: do you understand the term “in house debate”? It means that a doctrine is taken to mean one thing in one group or denomination and another thing in another group or denomination. Debate for the sake of clarity of scriptural truth is a good thing. But to deem others heretics because they may not see a non-essential to salvation doctrine differently is unacceptable. Maturity usually changes the understanding of most people; some for the betterment and some for the worst. I’ve seen many Christians divide over non-essential doctrine. It hurts the Lord’s heart I believe and it is a bad witness to those who see or hear Christians at one another’s throat over a doctrine that doesn’t affect their salvation.
But when this kind of heated debate happens the names start flying and division is the result with un-forgiveness and broken fellowship. What kind of witness is that to a lost world that needs a loving Savior. It is the same with a statement; some people are ready to divide and depart because of one disagreement; when the truth of the matter is taken as heretical when it is the further from the truth. It really shows one’s immaturity when they’re willing to throw away a friendship based upon one difference of opinion.
This truly shows there was no real friendship to begin with. Heresy is heresy and non-essential doctrines do not fit into that category; neither do differences of opinion based often times of semantics which are often taken out of context concerning a statement. Let us strive to find agreement on essentials, liberty on non-essentials, and love concerning all. Let us point out heresy when it is truly heresy, agree to disagree graciously on non-salvation issues, and to find love for all we encounter. Essential doctrines are transforming, transitional, and redeeming. Controversy for the sake of controversy is a sin; but controversy for the sake of the truth of the gospel is a divine mandate. Selah
Bp. Ray
Concerning doctrine: do you understand the term “in house debate”? It means that a doctrine is taken to mean one thing in one group or denomination and another thing in another group or denomination. Debate for the sake of clarity of scriptural truth is a good thing. But to deem others heretics because they may not see a non-essential to salvation doctrine differently is unacceptable. Maturity usually changes the understanding of most people; some for the betterment and some for the worst. I’ve seen many Christians divide over non-essential doctrine. It hurts the Lord’s heart I believe and it is a bad witness to those who see or hear Christians at one another’s throat over a doctrine that doesn’t affect their salvation.
But when this kind of heated debate happens the names start flying and division is the result with un-forgiveness and broken fellowship. What kind of witness is that to a lost world that needs a loving Savior. It is the same with a statement; some people are ready to divide and depart because of one disagreement; when the truth of the matter is taken as heretical when it is the further from the truth. It really shows one’s immaturity when they’re willing to throw away a friendship based upon one difference of opinion.
This truly shows there was no real friendship to begin with. Heresy is heresy and non-essential doctrines do not fit into that category; neither do differences of opinion based often times of semantics which are often taken out of context concerning a statement. Let us strive to find agreement on essentials, liberty on non-essentials, and love concerning all. Let us point out heresy when it is truly heresy, agree to disagree graciously on non-salvation issues, and to find love for all we encounter. Essential doctrines are transforming, transitional, and redeeming. Controversy for the sake of controversy is a sin; but controversy for the sake of the truth of the gospel is a divine mandate. Selah
Bp. Ray
