| How Much Doctrine?, Part 1 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, January 04 2010 00:00 |
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Some time ago a devotional appeared under my name containing a paragraph which generated several questions. I indicated in a reply that I intended to treat the matter more carefully in a series of follow-up devotionals. Perhaps the matter needs clarification. Certainly, I am delighted that our readers take so seriously what I say and read so closely that they would call me to account. I want you to do that. Please read carefully the next few devotionals and contact us if you find disagreement or want to add something. The paragraph which is under concern is this one: Wherever I find a believer, I have found a brother. Justification is by faith, not by joining a certain group, performing certain rituals (which differ from group to group), believing certain doctrines, or maintaining certain moral practices. When any or all of the above become criteria for salvation, then some man or group of men must exist to arbiter who measure up and who do not. That gives those people ultimate power over the consciences and souls of others. That’s what it’s really all about: power and control, and that is humanism that defies the sovereign power of God. The particular point called to our attention is underlined in the above paragraph. One writer reminds us that a Christian should adhere to true doctrine, which is of, course, quite correct. Another reader felt that I had precluded church discipline, feeling that the elders of a church had the right to determine who was a true Christian by their beliefs. Church discipline is taught in Scripture and true churches practice discipline. Certainly one who renounces his faith in Christ may be determined to be a non-Christian, and the elders of a church should expel him. By no means do I mean to deny the principle of church discipline. Church discipline is designed specifically for Christians who practice moral sin, create factions in the church, or advocate heresy. Its purpose is their restoration to truth and obedience and the ultimate salvation of their souls. When one denies Christ, he does not need the elders to declare him an unbeliever, for he has declared himself one. They do need to act accordingly. To the matter of doctrine, a matter that deserves more detailed attention, we shall turn in the next study. |
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