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The Gospel message gets distorted. That's Church History 101. And we are to be vigilant, for sure. But spotting error and calling it out is dangerous business, and carries with it certain unexpected side effects. John Newton has come good advice.
Recent Entries
Making Sense Of It AllJanuary 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Suffering Saints
January 25, 2012
We get nervous thinking about it - suffering for the sake of Christ. How necessary is it, and what does it produce in us?
George Herbert on Prayer Meetings
January 21, 2012
Prayer Meetings are a thing of the past. Or so it seems. What has been lost? Maybe more than we realize.
When Fear Is Good
January 7, 2012
NO FEAR, we are told. And the point is well taken. But fear can be healthy, at least when it comes to eternal matters.
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.
"Ouch!!"
July 22, 2011
Spiritual pride is hard to detect. Jonathan Edwards gives some tips. The process can be painful, but necessary.
Minding Our Own Theological Store
July 9, 2009
Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
Paul here is telling Timothy to keep his own theological house in order. John Newton (yes, the Amazing Grace John Newton, and a remarkable letter writer) had some thoughts in a correspondence to another pastor, reflecting later in his life on the role of being other people's "theological keeper."
The longer I live, the more I see of the vanity and the sinfulness of our unchristian disputes; they eat up the very vitals of religion.
I grieve to think how often I have lost my time and my temper in that way, in presuming to regulate the vineyards of others, when I have neglected my own; when the beam in my own eye has so contracted my sight tht I could discern nothing but the mote in my neighbor's.
I am now desiroius to choose a better part. Could I speak the publican's words with a proper feeling, I wish not for the tongue of men or angels to fight about notions or sentiments.
I allow that every branch of gospel truth is precious, that errors are abounding, and that it is our duty to bear an honest testimony to what the Lord has enabled us to find comfort in and to instruct with meekness such as are willing to be instructed; but I cannot see it my duty - I believe it would be my sin - to attempt to beat my notions into other people's heads.
Too often I have attempted it in time past; but now I judge that both my zeal and my weapons were carnal. When our dear Lord asked Peter after his fall and recovery, he didn't say, "Are you wise, learned and eloquent?" He didn't say, "Are you clear, sound, and orthodox?" Instead he asked Peter, "Lovest thou me?"
An answer to this was sufficient then; why not now? Any other answer, we may believe, would have been insufficient then. If Peter had made the most pompous confession of his faith and sentiments, still the first question would have been, "Lovest thou me?"
Paul here is telling Timothy to keep his own theological house in order. John Newton (yes, the Amazing Grace John Newton, and a remarkable letter writer) had some thoughts in a correspondence to another pastor, reflecting later in his life on the role of being other people's "theological keeper."
The longer I live, the more I see of the vanity and the sinfulness of our unchristian disputes; they eat up the very vitals of religion.
I grieve to think how often I have lost my time and my temper in that way, in presuming to regulate the vineyards of others, when I have neglected my own; when the beam in my own eye has so contracted my sight tht I could discern nothing but the mote in my neighbor's.
I am now desiroius to choose a better part. Could I speak the publican's words with a proper feeling, I wish not for the tongue of men or angels to fight about notions or sentiments.
I allow that every branch of gospel truth is precious, that errors are abounding, and that it is our duty to bear an honest testimony to what the Lord has enabled us to find comfort in and to instruct with meekness such as are willing to be instructed; but I cannot see it my duty - I believe it would be my sin - to attempt to beat my notions into other people's heads.
Too often I have attempted it in time past; but now I judge that both my zeal and my weapons were carnal. When our dear Lord asked Peter after his fall and recovery, he didn't say, "Are you wise, learned and eloquent?" He didn't say, "Are you clear, sound, and orthodox?" Instead he asked Peter, "Lovest thou me?"
An answer to this was sufficient then; why not now? Any other answer, we may believe, would have been insufficient then. If Peter had made the most pompous confession of his faith and sentiments, still the first question would have been, "Lovest thou me?"
