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Do You Disapprove of Theological Controversy in the Christian Church? (Protestant Caucus)
Monergisn.Com ^ | 2007 | MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

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.


TOPICS: Moral Issues; Theology
KEYWORDS:
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Comment #41 Removed by Moderator

To: Gamecock

How many centuries of collected Talmudic writ exist, and to which one has been affixed, ‘the answer’?

Mankind was not made via cookie-cutters. Each of us can read the same passage, even have it explained to us, and it is our own individual insight, that lastly validates that reading, as to how we see the world, and everything in it.

Why else would there be:
king james Version; New king james version; New Internatioanl version; revised Standard version; Today’s english version; and then, the offshoots printed by mormons and jehovah’s witnesses.


42 posted on 07/25/2015 11:36:42 AM PDT by Terry L Smith
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To: zot
I do not disapprove of theological controversy in the Christian churches. There is a lot of it in the New Testament. I believe we should discuss various doctrines and dogmas, pro and con, but we should try to disagree without being disagreeable. No ad hominem attacks.

At least we have material to work with, not junk made up out of thin air...

43 posted on 07/25/2015 12:11:34 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: xzins

And the article seems to agree

“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.”


44 posted on 07/25/2015 1:04:09 PM PDT by Gamecock (Many Atheists: "There is no God and I hate Him!")
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To: Gamecock
Do You Disapprove of Theological Controversy in the Christian Church?

Really cute!

I see what you did here!

45 posted on 07/25/2015 1:17:41 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Gamecock
My wife keeps telling me I'm too negative.

To which I emphatically reply, "No; I'm NOT!"

46 posted on 07/25/2015 1:18:46 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ealgeone
BASHER!
47 posted on 07/25/2015 1:19:21 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Bryanw92

Yup...

priorities.


48 posted on 07/25/2015 1:20:01 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: kinsman redeemer

Foxy Vampire


49 posted on 07/25/2015 1:20:31 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: kinsman redeemer
Quit reading ELSIE's stuff.

It'll mess yer mind...

50 posted on 07/25/2015 1:21:23 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: The Final Harvest

But ya gotta know what the gospel IS; first!


51 posted on 07/25/2015 1:22:02 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

Geeeee ..?? Maybe reading a Bible might help.


52 posted on 07/25/2015 1:22:56 PM PDT by CyberAnt ("The fields are white unto Harvest")
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To: GreyFriar
I believe that we, as Christians, should focus on what unites us, especially that our salvation comes ONLY from and through Jesus.

Now this will DIVIDE some Christians right off the bat!

53 posted on 07/25/2015 1:23:00 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: xzins
The New Testament Church appeared to prefer forums and hearings, Acts 15 being an example.

That isn't followed much these days.

54 posted on 07/25/2015 1:24:14 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mr Rogers
We might find ourselves agreeing with Job:

AMEN!




55 posted on 07/25/2015 1:26:40 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ifinnegan
The reason being, as I’ve seen it, is because they don’t want to hear it. They don’t want any criticism or “controversy” on the thread.

The PROTS are not the ones whining to the mods about getting bashed.

56 posted on 07/25/2015 1:27:57 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Gamecock
“Let us be clear about what we mean.

Good luck!


 


'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,
' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'

'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things.'

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'  


57 posted on 07/25/2015 1:29:07 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

58 posted on 07/25/2015 1:30:13 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

I agree. Should be. It’s hard to do, though, when we’re so disconnected from one another.


59 posted on 07/25/2015 1:30:14 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Pray for their victory or quit saying you support our troops)
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To: Gamecock

Good point.


60 posted on 07/25/2015 1:31:49 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Pray for their victory or quit saying you support our troops)
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