Resources/Articles
What is Written is Not the Problem; The Problem is What is Being Taught
When the “toe is in the door,” and man empowers himself with the right to legislate doctrine, creeds - rather than the inspired Word of God - become the standard.
Original Language/Quotes of Creeds/Uninspired Men
“We must not explain the Scriptures by the fathers, but explain and judge the fathers by the Scriptures.”
Martin Luther
(Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. IV, p. 204)
“The only way to settle doctrinal questions is to show what the Bible teaches.”
Lutheran Creed
(Our Creed: What Lutherans Believe and Teach,
J.M. Weidenschilling, p. 2)
“The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be taught requisite or necessary to salvation.”
Methodist Creed, 1948
(Methodist Discipline (1948), p. 25)
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary fo this own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in the Scripture, or by good and necessary consequences may be deduced from Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit or traditions of men.”
(Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church
(1949), p. 6)
“We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instructions; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its content.”
(Church Manual, J.M. Pendleton (1950), p. 43)
“We take the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible as the foundation of all Christian union and communion. Those who do not like this will please show us a more excellent way.”
(Introduction to the Second Edition of the Christian System, Alexander Campbell (1839))
“The Church of God accepts the whole Bible rightly divided and holds these sacred truths as they have been revealed in the Scriptures by the Holy Ghost.”
(www.thechurchofgod.org)
These quotations all agree that God’s Word is all sufficient as the Bible so declares. From the web site of the Church of God, under the heading “Who We Are - Basic Bible Beliefs,” are listed 29 “Points of Doctrine.” What is disturbing is this statement that precedes these points: “Not all Christian Church organizations teach these points of doctrine the same way.”
My question (and I hope yours) is this: Why not? Is it okay to teach these points of doctrine differently? If, as the Methodist Creed states, “The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation,” can we understand all these things necessary to salvation alike? If not, why not? When it comes to doctrine, the Scriptures reveal only two: Truth and error. Doctrine is synonymous with teaching and gospel. Notice:
- There is truth (John 17.17, but there is error (1 John 4.6).
- There is truth that can be changed into a lie (Romans 1.25).
- There is truth or there is unrighteousness to obey (Romans 2.8).
- There is THE gospel and there is ANOTHER gospel (Galatians 1.6-9).
- There is sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1.10; 2 Timothy 4.3; Titus 1.9; 2.1), and there are doctrines and commandments of men (Matthew 15.8-9).
- There is a pattern of sound words (2 Thessalonians 1.13), and there is vain talk, deception, and things which ought not to be taught (Titus 1.10-11).
Is the problem really with a divinely inspired Bible, or is the problem found in an uninspired source - human creeds? Which one is actually being taught to people? Which one is taught in Theological Seminaries to those seeking a preaching profession/ Will they not teach people what they themselves are taught? Would this be why the Church of God web site has the troubling statement, “Not all Christian Church organizations teach these points of doctrine the same way”?
The gospel was purposed to unite people in Christ rather than to divide them. Few today are troubled by the religious division that has resulted from not teaching these points of doctrine alike. We need to address this matter of religious division by sitting down together and studying from the Bible. The Bible teaches the same on all these points of doctrine. Let us teach the same on them and we will be one in Christ.
This was his prayer: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in me through their word; that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us…” (John 17.20-21). We can be united if our desire is, as Martin Luther stated, “…not [to] explain the Scriptures by the fathers, but explain and judge the fathers by the Scriptures…”
Discipleship is based upon continuance in what Jesus taught. “If you continue in my Word, then you are truly disciples of mine” (John 8.31). Jesus said if we have the desire to obey the will of the Father, we would be able to discern truth from error and be made free from sin (John 7.17; 8.32).
Let us remember the inspired words of the apostle John: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 1.9-11).
