division

by Br. John McGlone Oct 12, 2018

It seems often when it comes to the multitudes of varying doctrines that have infiltrated into Christianity, it makes you ponder, “Who holds the keys to good and enduring doctrine that we should learn and obey?”.  I see Facebook ‘debates’ of brethren who are involved in heated disputes that many times lead to misunderstandings and breaks in relations.  This should never be among Christians.  Do any of us have complete agreement on what the Lord hath said?  Are doctrines important?  Emphatically I say, “Yes and it’s salvational!” Herein lies my proof from the Bible.

1 Tim 4:16
¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

So, doctrine is obviously salvational, but did Paul just mean the Gospel or any doctrine that might be found in Scripture?   We simply need to back up to vs 11 to find out:

1 Tim 4:11-15
These things command and teach. ¹² Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. ¹⁴ Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

In vs 13 we see, “…to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  So, it should be generally applied to all Scripture and any doctrine that we are taught of the Holy Ghost.  Many will not agree with this interpretation but what else could it mean? Keep in mind that they primarily were using the OT to teach from.

Okay, with all the schisms, shunning, mistreatment of brethren over doctrine, why is this so important?  Because we are supposed to love each other as verse 12 describes.  If one is in error, he needs to be shown the error from Scripture.  Jam 5:19-20   Is it an easy task to lovingly deal with others that are in contradiction to your understanding?  No, but there is nothing that is precious that is easy to obtain.

Well if cosmology is described in the Bible, why wouldn’t it be a doctrine that all Christendom seek to understand and explain?  Mostly what I hear from brethren is, “Why does it matter?”.

How do we know which would be the true doctrine?  Well, the Holy Ghost teaching each of us individually as we seek understanding on any particular subject.

John 14:26-31
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now, part of the problem is that more mature Christians who have learned over the years from the Holy Ghost and experiences what are good interpretations, now seek to teach those doctrines to others.   The seasoned believers who have endured spiritual battles, spent much time in study and meditation interact with others who have or have not made the same investment.  Or, possibly they inverse is true regarding the persons involved. This leads to a conflict in views that, more often than not, will bring unnecessary divisions because of miscommunication, misunderstandings, and lack of suffering.   These have been real life experiences for me over the course of 22 years and more recently when a dear brother of mine and I have come into hard conflict and seemingly a spiritual impasse that had brought division.  I certainly do not think either of us desired that.  Praise God, we have worked through our misunderstandings and are able to call each other brother.

Another way of telling if a doctrine we hold to is true, is to bring it before others for them to examine to see if they find truth therein.  This would not be seeking to have  some special secret doctrine which a person holds to rule over you.  But, a plain and public reading and understanding that all can nod their heads in agreement with…eventually.

2 Pet 1:20
²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

I say eventually because learning new things take time.  I think every sincere Christian seeks to understand from above by the Holy Ghost.  This can be difficult, painful, and very humiliating, especially if we are the ones who need to adjust our thinking or ideology.  Part of the process of sharing doctrines are the ideas that God’s Word is as He describes.

Heb 4:12 
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Prov 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Eph 6:17-18
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Every good soldier in warfare knows very well that in training he will become better in battle.  Do you train in study, prayer, armor bearing, shield and sword wielding?   Is it fun getting smacked around by another Christian in training?  No, but if the hearts are right with God and each other, who better to ready ourselves with for the real spiritual battle that lies at our doorstep?   Do you not know that the Roman legions perhaps the greatest natural army that ever existed were trained by each other first, long before they entered into an actual battlefield?

2 Tim 2:3-5
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  ⁴ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  ⁵ And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

So, when any man challenges a doctrine you are promoting and believe, often he will give you the pitfall challenge, “Do you mean if I don’t believe this I am not saved?”  or maybe something like, “Is this salvational or non-salvational?”

1 Cor 10:12-13  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I use this pitfall example metaphorically as an example what I believe is a spiritual bomb when this question is asked to challenge doctrines that are opposed.

Certainly, some doctrines don’t fall under the heading essential, important, or salvational so it shouldn’t matter, right?

My response is all doctrines from Scripture are important and matter, period.  I think if there were exceptions to this idea they would have been listed by the Apostle Paul.   I suppose this question of, “Salvational or Non” to be a trap of the devil to bring divisions, animosities of all sorts between believers.

Phil 2:12-13
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Each of us individually need to work out our own salvation.  Do I care about my brother’s soul?  Of course, but I can’t do his work for his salvation for him.  But, I can do everything possible to ensure whatever I am teaching to be clear, concise, and biblical.  This will edify the body of Christ and strengthen us together to go out into the harvest field together.

This naturally leads me back to the point of this article.  Why do we ask each other this stumbling question, “Is this doctrine salvational or not?”.  It automatically assumes conflict or denial in this spiritually loaded question.

On the first hand, if you reply it’s salvational and they don’t agree with the doctrine,  you may have condemned them for:
1. ignorance
2. maturity
3. contrary understanding or experience
4. possible inability to comprehend naturally/spiritually
5.  poor listening/speaking skills
6. stumbling of a brother.
…and there are other many possibilities.

On the second hand, if you say it’s not a salvational issue you have:
1. lessened the importance of God’s Word and His doctrines
2. reduced or eliminated the urgency for the theological opponent to change his mind about the ideology.
3.  You have not been faithful to communicate spiritual warnings God has placed in His Word out of ‘respect’ for the person.
4.  stumbled a brother who is unrighteously condemning your biblical view.
…and there are other many possibilities.

I think the solutions that I am attempted to communicate regarding our conflict can help many to be able to be unified in the Holy Spirit and yet really examine doctrines openly without fear of reprisals, shunning, name calling, or other ad hominem attacks as we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rom 14:7-12
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. ⁸ For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹ For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. ¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. ¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God

So, if we seek to love our brothers, we will not judge them as condemned eternally.  Especially for those that hold doctrines that oppose our current beliefs.  I know many will balk at that idea.   Each saint of God will be judged individually before all.  At the same time, we should seek to remove stumbling blocks as Paul did.

I definitely still believe we should test all things including doctrine.  Remember previously, I agreed with God’s Word that doctrine is essential to the salvation of one’s soul, and those that hear us.  1 Tim 4:16  If I am convinced of a doctrine that the Lord has pressed upon me to teach/preach then I must out of duty to Him, the saints, and the lost do so.  Likewise each of you have the same duty to not hold back what the Lord has given you toward me and everyone else.  The neglect of doing these ideas aforementioned is one of  the deep roots of the apostate ‘church’.  At the same time God has communicated let not many among you teach, as we would give a stricter or harsher judgment.  Much responsibility comes with the territory of being a Christian ‘teacher’ at whatever level.

Some of my views which involve cosmological doctrines from the Bible, were the source of our previously mentioned hard dispute.  I have listed an in-exhaustive nine point list from the thread in footnote below.

Is Cosmology important?  Of course, this area of knowledge in both Christendom and the secular world guides either to or away from the Creator.  As an open air preacher of the Gospel I share this point over and again that God’s creation points to himself as God.  Kind of like the building/builder, painting/painter ideas which show intelligent design points back to their creator. I’ve been shocked to hear holiness open air preachers profess that they don’t believe cosmology is important as a doctrine.  What?  If it’s important to use when preaching to the lost, it surely must be important for the brethren to examine it together and publicly.

Is this study/ideology in Christendom important?  Is it essential or necessary for the salvation of my soul or others?   Of course!  Do I mean in this exact moment for you to be considered saved?  No, I mean it is essential to study these doctrines as we work out our own faith in maturity and understanding from the Holy Ghost as we all walk down this narrow and difficult way.  As many Christian geocentrists and flat earthers say, “Research it yourself.”  To re-search is to search it out again.

If GC and FE are true then who would not want this information to be understood and obeyed by Christians?  The answer of course is the father of all lies, the devil.  I know his strategy is to:  ruin human perspective of what God created so people won’t draw near to God through it, create doctrines which unbelievers may mock Christian ideology, kill and destroy souls that they may not be saved.  Ironically, the very things that sinners mock regarding God’s creation are the very forensic evidence which He will eternally condemn them with.  Do you see why cosmology is important now?

Rom 1:19-20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

With all the misinformation from every direction on these issues you’d think a spiritual atomic bomb went off when someone talks about cosmology from the old paths, ie geocentricity or Hebraic cosmology. ….I think people are having a worldwide awakening to the idea of ‘truth’, and seeking that.  If they are sincere they will find Jesus, who is the truth, the way, and the life.  John 14:6

We see Job’s complaining against God brings a very strong scourging from God unto Job in chapters 38-39 regarding His cosmogony.

Then the Lord answered Job – This speech is addressed particularly to Job, …,  because he had indulged in language of murmuring and complaint. God designed to bring him to a proper state of mind before he appeared openly for his vindication.  -Albert Barnes Notes on Job

Job 38:1-6
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ² Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? ³ Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. ⁴ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. ⁵ Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? ⁶ Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Matt 24:29-31
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: ³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This passage begs the question about the stars falling to earth.  Of course, the natural scientists don’t believe this, but do you?  Is this simply poetry, simile, or something else?  What’s your interpretation?  Please feel free to comment below the blog post with thoughts.

SUMMARY OF MY CONCLUSIONS

• Doctrine is important and salvational to ourselves and those that hear us. 1 Tim 4:16
• We have a duty to share our doctrines with each other in love. 1 Tim 4:12
• The Holy Ghost is the primary teacher for every Christian.  John 14:26
•  We know the Holy Ghost teaches us truth.  Titus 1:2
•  Scripture must be publicly taught and understood.   2 Pet 1:20
•  God’s Word is a spiritual sword.  We must train with each other before battle.
• Work out your own salvation. Phil 2:12
• Stay out of Jesus’ judgment seat.  Rom 14:7-12
• Cosmology is important to God Gen 1, Job 38-39, Rom 1:19-20, Matt 24

Some of my cosmological views from the Bible, were the source of our previously mentioned hard dispute.  After my cosmological opponent laid out his beliefs I used his outline and inserted my understandings.  Here is how it went on FB.

“Since some religious ‘spirits’ have been stirred up by this post, I want to clarify some things and explain my position fully in regards to flat earth.

1. I 100% believe the earth is generally flat as evidenced by the oceans and water always seeks level which creates a horizon which is horizontal. I believe the earth is the center of the universe, stationary and immovable as God’s Word plainly states. I say all of this with no reservations whatsoever.

2. I have no issue whatsoever if someone chooses to believe the earth is rotund, oblate, pear shaped, or otherwise. Nor do I condemn those that believe helioentricity. However, I believe that the belief in the scientism and aforementioned doctrines to be anti-cogent, illogical, and scientifically unsound. But, don’t expect me to shut up because you don’t agree with what I believe by faith.

3. The bible is not silent on the cosmology of God’s creation.

4. I believe that anyone who makes cosmology of no importance for careful examination is wrong. Calling me a heretic hurts my feelings but I’ll get over it.

5. For some, the belief in the ‘science’ they have been taught in public school at every level has become an idol.

6. I think ribbing or joking about ideas in good fun to be okay. But, we are talking about God’s cosmogeny and it is no laughing matter to belittle what He hath said.

7. Accusing someone of being a heretic because they do not believe in heliocentrism or geocentrism or a particular shape of the world as we know it, is slander and sinful.

8. I believe that taking clear statements in God’s word to be figurative, simile, metaphor, or poetic could very well lead to major errors in understanding of God’s Word, will, and creation.

9. I believe the devils influenced and started the modern ideas of the ‘scientific’ heliocentric theory to discredit God and His Word.”

Lastly, “Do I think this is salvational or non salvific?”  For me, emphatically yes!  Because I have studied it thoroughly for four years and can not deny what God has taught in His Word.   To do so would blaspheme the Holy Ghost who taught me these things.  What about you?  Have you even bothered to see if these things are so from the Bible?  Or have you shrugged it off and thought, “Why is this important?” and gone back to sleep on the issues.  If you have gotten this far into this blog, may I interest you in checking our our Confronting the Cosmogony page?  Thank you and God bless you.