Posted on 07/25/2015 7:45:32 AM PDT by Gamecock
Disapproval of polemics¹ in the Christian Church is a very serious matter. But that is the attitude of the age in which we live. The prevailing idea today in many circles is not to bother about these things. As long as we are all Christians, anyhow, somehow, all is well. Do not let us argue about doctrine, let us all be Christians together and talk about the love of God. That is really the whole basis of ecumenicity. Unfortunately, that same attitude is creeping into evangelical circles also and many say that we must not be too precise about these things…. If you hold that view you are criticizing the Apostle Paul, you are saying that he was wrong, and at the same time you are criticizing the Scriptures. The Scriptures argue and debate and dispute; they are full of polemics. . .
. . .Let us be clear about what we mean. This is not argument for the sake of argument; this is not a manifestation of an argumentative spirit; this is not just indulging one’s prejudices. The Scriptures do not approve of that, and furthermore the Scriptures are very concerned about the spirit in which one engages in discussion. No man should like argument for the sake of argument. We should always regret the necessity; but though we regret and bemoan it, when we feel that a vital matter is at stake we must engage in argument. We must “earnestly contend for the truth,” and we are called upon to do that by the New Testament.
Cited in MacArthur, John. The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception. Nashville, Tenn.: Nelson Books, 2007. pp. 193-194.
¹Polemics — The practice of theological controversy to refute errors of doctrine.
In real life this is just lazy people wanting to shut down a conversation so they don’t have to think about things too deeply.
Typically they “just want to love Jesus.” If you love someone you want to know everything you can about them. Try it with your spouse: “I don’t care about what you do or do not like, I just want to love You. “
Doctrine matters. We should always confront the FVs on one hand and the Dispys (including MacArthur) on the other to study the purity and peace of the church.
What’s an FV?
Some just want to ban the entire conversation as they can not refute the facts. :)
>>In real life this is just lazy people wanting to shut down a conversation so they don’t have to think about things too deeply. Typically they “just want to love Jesus.”
Yep. Lazy and/or uninformed.
“I’ve been a member of this church for 40 years.”
Oh really. Why do they believe x?
“I don’t know. I don’t really spend a lot of time on stuff like that. I just want to luuuuuv Jeeeezus.”
Oh really? What do you think about the Jaguars’ third round draft pick?
“Oh boy, they screwed that one up and let me tell you the 10 reasons why!”
Great analogy!! Thank you.
Indeed. While we can join others in fighting a house fire or plugging a damn, ultimately there is a basis for our goals in so doing which go beyond the immediate concerns. And we must face the differing reasons as regards foundational ethos.
Division because of foundational error and unity of a remnant is superior to unity at the expense of foundational Truth. The early Christians were allowed to worship as they would as long as they worshiped Caesar, and local ministerial associations do not allow debate about differences.
But what to do when you are a guest at someone's dinner table and discussion of politics and religion are disallowed? Either you speak if and what God wants, if and as He leads and suffer the consequences, or you compromise.
Let us be clear about what we mean. This is not argument for the sake of argument; this is not a manifestation of an argumentative spirit; this is not just indulging one’s prejudices. The Scriptures do not approve of that, and furthermore the Scriptures are very concerned about the spirit in which one engages in discussion. No man should like argument for the sake of argument. We should always regret the necessity; but though we regret and bemoan it, when we feel that a vital matter is at stake we must engage in argument. We must “earnestly contend for the truth,” and we are called upon to do that by the New Testament.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)
Which i have not always done.
What I think it boils down to is that there’s some area in those people’s lives where they don’t want to submit to God, to surrender and change, so they claim that getting too hung up on theology is counter productive.
Me, too.
No. really it’s Federal Vision.
RE: Do You Disapprove of Theological Controversy in the Christian Church?
No good Christian I know likes controversy of any kind.
I personally prefer CERTAINTY.
But we are dealing with sinful people with autonomous minds. THAT cannot be avoided.
So, it isn’t a matter of approving or disapproving, it is a matter of dealing with reality and confronting it.
Federal Vision?
My guess as well.
For the Record: That was my FIRST post in a Protestant Caucus.
I feel safe here so I made a joke. In the future I’ll try to be series. I have this problem a lot.
Sorry.
Where do we go if everyone agrees? Pluralism?
I know someone that used to believe getting along was always most important. This guy studied for the ministry. Where has this taken him over the years? He’s now pushing pluralism. He’s pushing that there are many ways.
Jesus didn’t say, “I am a way, .... “ Jesus said, “I am the way, ..... “
Regardless of one’s religion, there is still only one way..
And how do we know good doctrine? It agrees and is based on the Scriptures.
Sola Scriptura!
Jokes are OK!
Welcome!
Correct!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.