ED ROSS
By Ed Ross
Theology Wars
As we have said before, …if anyone preaches any other gospel unto you than that one which you have received, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For there are certain men who have crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God… Jude 20-21
…if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. Gal 5:15
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18
…all who watch for iniquity are cut of, who make a man an offender for a word,. Isaiah 29:21 KJV
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if any man thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, the same is known by Him. 1Corinth 8:1-2
The history of the church, in one respect, has been the tale of theological conflict. It would be difficult to find a protracted time of relative peace in the arena of doctrine. Upon being exposed to this reality many a new Christian has been disheartened or disillusioned. I remember vividly my shock as an enthusiastic new believer when I found controversies even in the New Testament between believers (i.e. Paul and Peter, Paul and Silas, etc). It seemed so incongruous with my newfound peace and joy in Christ. Little did I know what was to follow as I grew in my understanding of truth.
Many Christians detest controversy and want no part of it. They say they are not interested in doctrine; they just want to love Jesus and get along with everyone. The sentiment is good, but very naive. The world, the flesh, and the devil are literally seeking every moment to inject error into the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). Like it or not, the church must contend for the faith. If faith does not rest upon inspired truth – doctrine – then it is built upon sand and cannot endure. If Christ is in us by His Holy Spirit then love will rejoice in truth (1Corinth 13:6; John 3:21). We must be growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2Peter 3:18) that we might earnestly contend against the enemies of the cross and keep our own souls firmly anchored in the love of God.
Having said that, we must quickly distinguish between the warring against an enemy and the healthy fervent debate between brothers. We must discern between the clashing of swords in battle and the ring of iron sharpening iron among friends (Prov 27:17). Too often the latter degenerates into the former as prideful egos collide. Far too often those who have given their lives to proclaim Christ and to sacrificially care for His flock are being gunned down as heretics and false prophets “for a word.” The volume of misguided attacks found against good men on “Christian” chat rooms and blogs is unconscionable. Many professing themselves to be wise have become the worst of fools.
If our love for our own particular theological views overshadows the glory of Christ himself and diminishes rather than fans our love for the brethren then we have become idolaters, and are probably among the worst of heretics. To the point, when believers demonize each other over differing views about the details of “prophecy,” the blessed hope of Christ’s glorious return is being defiled by the flesh. When our hatred or love for the TULIP evokes from the heart enmity towards other Christians, we better take heed lest we find ourselves waxing eloquent on the superior nature of our theology to our fellow congregants in hell. When we divide over whether a man is a 4½ or 5 pointer, we need to quickly remember the spikes that nailed our own sentence to the tree, and immediately become a 3 pointer!
The “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Spurgeon, was a zealous defender of sovereign grace. His expose of the arminianism of the Wesleys is classic.* In it he recounts an exchange between George Whitefield, a magnificent preacher of sovereign grace, and a zealous young Calvinist. The man asked Whitefield if he thought they would even see John Wesley in heaven, and he replied in the negative. The young man seemed to exalt in Whitefield’s apparent confirmation of his own views about the “heretic.” Whitefield continued, however, “I am afraid that you and I will be so far off from the throne of Christ, and Wesley will be so near, that he will be lost to us in the brightness of his Savior.” To this Spurgeon agreed. Such was the charity of the truly great men of faith. They could disagree vehemently over specific points of doctrine as iron sharpened iron; but if their adversary was a passionate follower of Christ, they dare not lift their hand against a brother. To his own master he stands or falls (Rom 14:4).
The New Testament levels some of the harshest words in scripture against those who willfully set themselves against Christ and seek to pervert the gospel (Gal 1:6-9; Jude). But in the midst of the battle do not let your love grow cold (Matt 24:12; Rev 2:1-7). True wisdom always first humbles its recipients and then is spoken by them in love. The fruit of righteousness is sown in love. If our Bible knowledge “puffs us up” it has not yet done its work in the heart, and instead of teaching others we need to be taught the “first things” of the faith (Heb 5:12).
Get wisdom! And with all your getting get understanding (Prov 4:7). But let us remember that if we are given any understanding at all, it is to equip us as humble servants sent forth for the edifying and blessing of others, not for the exaltation of self.
God of All Truth,
Let your truth in us flow out as living water, as fountains of grace and mercy.
Amen.
* Spurgeon’s The Two Wesleys Pilgrim Publications reprint, 1975
Tuesday's Touch #53
Respond to: pastored@ springwoodchapel.com Also available at SpringwoodChapel.com & ChristMyCovenant .com. Please visit. © 2010 E.J.Ross III, Springwood Publications.
Theology Wars
As we have said before, …if anyone preaches any other gospel unto you than that one which you have received, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For there are certain men who have crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God… Jude 20-21
…if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. Gal 5:15
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18
…all who watch for iniquity are cut of, who make a man an offender for a word,. Isaiah 29:21 KJV
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if any man thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, the same is known by Him. 1Corinth 8:1-2
The history of the church, in one respect, has been the tale of theological conflict. It would be difficult to find a protracted time of relative peace in the arena of doctrine. Upon being exposed to this reality many a new Christian has been disheartened or disillusioned. I remember vividly my shock as an enthusiastic new believer when I found controversies even in the New Testament between believers (i.e. Paul and Peter, Paul and Silas, etc). It seemed so incongruous with my newfound peace and joy in Christ. Little did I know what was to follow as I grew in my understanding of truth.
Many Christians detest controversy and want no part of it. They say they are not interested in doctrine; they just want to love Jesus and get along with everyone. The sentiment is good, but very naive. The world, the flesh, and the devil are literally seeking every moment to inject error into the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). Like it or not, the church must contend for the faith. If faith does not rest upon inspired truth – doctrine – then it is built upon sand and cannot endure. If Christ is in us by His Holy Spirit then love will rejoice in truth (1Corinth 13:6; John 3:21). We must be growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2Peter 3:18) that we might earnestly contend against the enemies of the cross and keep our own souls firmly anchored in the love of God.
Having said that, we must quickly distinguish between the warring against an enemy and the healthy fervent debate between brothers. We must discern between the clashing of swords in battle and the ring of iron sharpening iron among friends (Prov 27:17). Too often the latter degenerates into the former as prideful egos collide. Far too often those who have given their lives to proclaim Christ and to sacrificially care for His flock are being gunned down as heretics and false prophets “for a word.” The volume of misguided attacks found against good men on “Christian” chat rooms and blogs is unconscionable. Many professing themselves to be wise have become the worst of fools.
If our love for our own particular theological views overshadows the glory of Christ himself and diminishes rather than fans our love for the brethren then we have become idolaters, and are probably among the worst of heretics. To the point, when believers demonize each other over differing views about the details of “prophecy,” the blessed hope of Christ’s glorious return is being defiled by the flesh. When our hatred or love for the TULIP evokes from the heart enmity towards other Christians, we better take heed lest we find ourselves waxing eloquent on the superior nature of our theology to our fellow congregants in hell. When we divide over whether a man is a 4½ or 5 pointer, we need to quickly remember the spikes that nailed our own sentence to the tree, and immediately become a 3 pointer!
The “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Spurgeon, was a zealous defender of sovereign grace. His expose of the arminianism of the Wesleys is classic.* In it he recounts an exchange between George Whitefield, a magnificent preacher of sovereign grace, and a zealous young Calvinist. The man asked Whitefield if he thought they would even see John Wesley in heaven, and he replied in the negative. The young man seemed to exalt in Whitefield’s apparent confirmation of his own views about the “heretic.” Whitefield continued, however, “I am afraid that you and I will be so far off from the throne of Christ, and Wesley will be so near, that he will be lost to us in the brightness of his Savior.” To this Spurgeon agreed. Such was the charity of the truly great men of faith. They could disagree vehemently over specific points of doctrine as iron sharpened iron; but if their adversary was a passionate follower of Christ, they dare not lift their hand against a brother. To his own master he stands or falls (Rom 14:4).
The New Testament levels some of the harshest words in scripture against those who willfully set themselves against Christ and seek to pervert the gospel (Gal 1:6-9; Jude). But in the midst of the battle do not let your love grow cold (Matt 24:12; Rev 2:1-7). True wisdom always first humbles its recipients and then is spoken by them in love. The fruit of righteousness is sown in love. If our Bible knowledge “puffs us up” it has not yet done its work in the heart, and instead of teaching others we need to be taught the “first things” of the faith (Heb 5:12).
Get wisdom! And with all your getting get understanding (Prov 4:7). But let us remember that if we are given any understanding at all, it is to equip us as humble servants sent forth for the edifying and blessing of others, not for the exaltation of self.
God of All Truth,
Let your truth in us flow out as living water, as fountains of grace and mercy.
Amen.
* Spurgeon’s The Two Wesleys Pilgrim Publications reprint, 1975
Tuesday's Touch #53
Respond to: pastored@ springwoodchapel.com Also available at SpringwoodChapel.com & ChristMyCovenant .com. Please visit. © 2010 E.J.Ross III, Springwood Publications.
