RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine?
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 6/25/2009 8:29:20 AM
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Tantum_Ergo
Posts: 109
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quote:
Unless you can show us from Scripture that this is indeed what God planned, I believe we must hold to the truth (Eph.4:4-6) that "There is
one Body, and
one Spirit, even as ye are called in
one hope of your calling;
one Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all".
Notice "ONE FAITH" which speaks of one corpus of doctrinal truth i.e. "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). And Jude says that we are to earnestly contend for this faith. This is perfectly logical since everthing else is one. Denominations have destroyed this oneness.
I quite agree and couldn't have said it better myself.
God bless you
_____________________________
"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions." G.K. Chesterton
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 7/22/2009 7:19:32 PM
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iamhis-heismine
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1. Study the Word of God regarding the differences.
2. Pray for guidance.
3. Be open for the Spirit of God to guide you.
4. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 multiple times.
5. Pray for the person(s) whom you disagree with regarding the particular doctrine.
6. Repeat steps 1,2,3, and 5.
7. When led by the Spirit of God open the discussion - but always in a spirit of humilty and love.
8. Continue to pray.
9. Continue to trust God.
Not an easy, or typical human, formula. But it is Biblical and it works.
Summary: "First speak to God about the individual (or issue), then speak to the individual about God."
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 7/23/2009 7:31:53 AM
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LastofAll
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To learn not to think above that which is written, so that no one exaggerate and over-estimate God´s Word.
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/11/2009 5:43:06 PM
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TJStarfire
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Read the words of the Lord of this planet and do them.
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Every time you are observed,
witness is given as to whether you serve,
good or evil.
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/12/2009 11:07:00 AM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 5742
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CitationSquirrel
Sorry ... After looking at this thread for all these days, I can no longer restrain myself ...
Q: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine?
A: Pistols at twenty paces.
O.k., enough silliness ... please return to your thoughtful discussion.
You go to RC's church? Right?.............................LOL.........j/k
It is true, we whip out our "doctrinal pistols" and have at it.
Thankfully , the majority of us don't take out our "holy ghost machine
gun" and blow the brethren to kingdom come.............(a.k.a. Benny Hinn)
But how do we settle doctrinal differences?
First --- we have to hunger after righteousness and desire God's truth.
Then we have to search the Scriptures to see if these things be so.
If we get alone in our closet and rely only on ghostly direction we come
out of the closet a bit wackey. There is safety in counsel.
Actually, we have to start as the examples given to us and kept from
us by our western civilization.
What did Jesus do? [I hate that, but had to ask]
He was instructed in Torah until bar mitzvah.
Then a Jewish boy is guided by his minion.
A group of ten family men to advise him in his decision making.
I'm using memory, so someone may need to correct me here..........lol.
be right back
okay, back...........
A Jewish boy is under the guidance of a minion until he's near 20
and become a minion himself. This I may definitely be wrong about.
He may be under a minion until the age of 30, which seems more
plausible to my memory or lack thereof..........lol.
At the age of 30 he has reached "full stature." (Eph.)
Then at 30 he is part of the family minion guiding those younger.
We receive no such training up as a child until we reach puberty
and then we will continue in the way................proverbs
At best, we are taken to Sunday Schools to hear "bible stories."
Then when rebellion takes root as we near teenage years, we
may or may not continue to follow mom and dad to church.
Then when we are "full age" and don't have to obey mom and
dad we leave all that church stuff behind. Carnality is so much
more enjoyable.
And now the church tries to win the kids back with programs.
If we "trained them up in the way they should go" we would
have a completely different outcome.
I just turned 60 last month.
I have studied the Bible since I was 12.
I am just now getting to that level of understanding for bar mitzvah.
And if we don't spend any time in our bibles.
And if we don't have the proper minions guiding us,
I guess we will have to be brought up in the here-after...........LOL
< Message edited by Lapidoth -- 8/12/2009 11:23:08 AM >
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/22/2009 7:31:37 PM
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wordtheology
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By recognizing that Scripture IS the doctrine, not man's interpretation of it?
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/23/2009 11:11:27 AM
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abraxas
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There will never be unity among Christians. There will never be agreement, there will always be thousand-plus-page threads debating Calvinism vs. Arminianism, whether infants go to hell, how old the earth is, whether baptism is essential, and so on and so forth.
Get used to it.
(Excuse the heathen's 2 cents)
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/27/2009 12:37:13 AM
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PeterD
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quote:
ORIGINAL: agapist
As far as I can see, what needs to take place first before we attempt to resolve questions of doctrine (what we believe) is to resolve the position of our heart (how we believe); there is no chance for the Church to be one without this provision.
What I recently discovered is that how we believe is at least as important as what we believe. It si the how we believe that brings Truth to light and life.
The steady divisiveness, not diversity, of the Church since its the end of persecution and the start of acceptance by ancient Rome is abudant evidence that little or no attention has been paid to how we are to believe. Belief has an end. Do you know what it is?
Please share your heart and, if necessary, your mind on this notion.
Yours in Christ,
Aagapist
Hello agapist,
When reading your topic, 2 Corinthians comes to my mind because of what i believe in my heart to be true and now an end has happened in my understanding and a new beginning of Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is given for me for us!!!
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
PeterD
_____________________________
"Let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christians, after him whose teaching we hold . . . I hold, together with the universal church, the one universal teaching of Christ, who is our only master." -Martin Luther
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/27/2009 12:49:40 AM
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PeterD
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Addressed to agapist:
What was the Apostle Paul's change of plans...? we are to be like Paul revisiting (15Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.) the same Christians / us Christians / who need as you say....quote:
what needs to take place first before we attempt to resolve questions of doctrine (what we believe) is to resolve the position of our heart (how we believe); there is no chance for the Church to be one without this provision.
2 Corinthians 1:12-22
Paul’s Change of Plans
12For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and acknowledge and I hope you will fully acknowledge— 14just as you did partially acknowledge us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
15Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time? 18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Are we to be like the early Christians like the ones we read about who walked with Jesus who ate and drank with Him who for three plus years learned from Him. What did our Heavenly Father say, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." Mark 9:7
< Message edited by PeterD -- 8/27/2009 1:08:13 AM >
_____________________________
"Let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christians, after him whose teaching we hold . . . I hold, together with the universal church, the one universal teaching of Christ, who is our only master." -Martin Luther
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 8/29/2009 2:58:42 PM
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cricrazy
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1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.."
_____________________________
2 Cor 12:9 - "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness."
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDIES
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/5/2009 10:01:20 PM
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Markie51
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Dear Apapist,
The step that you are now taking-asking questions for discussion-is an important one-perhaps the beginning step to settle questions of the Bible and Bible based doctrine.
Sadly, discussions about Christianity and other religions and their respective practices can be very challenging. Attitudes toward discussing religion may vary from person to person and from culture to culture. It has been said: “Difference of religion breeds more quarrels than differences of politics.” An early American vice-president observed: “Religious zeal enlists the strongest prejudices of the human mind; and, when misdirected, excites the worst passions of our mature under the delusive pretext of doing God service.”
The teachings of the Bible should not be misused to promote intolerance, bigotry, and hatred. Actually, it is not the teachings of the Bible that makes religion unpalatable to many. Rather, it is a corruption of them. Consider, for example, Christianity.
Blades are not sharpened by being hit together. Sharpening is a more gentle process. (Proverbs 27:17) Likewise, there are right and wrong ways to sharpen the mind through conversation, especially on sensitive topics such as religion. Respect the dignity of the other person-who may disagree or ask questions-and demonstrate that respect in our words. (Colossians 4:6) Graciousness is also reflected in the way we listen. Also, one should never force or browbeat another into changing their views. After all, it is “God who makes the seed of truth grow” in a responsive listener’s heart.-1 Corinthians 3:6.
Obtaining “knowledge" is certainly important; but, having “accurate knowledge” is paramount. (Romans 1:28; 10:2, 3; Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:25; 3:7; compare 1 Timothy 6:20, 21; Ephesians 5:10; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 1:9, 3:10) Acquiring accurate knowledge takes effort, determination, endurance to sift through what the Bible really teaches and what is doctrine of men. (Matthew 915:9; Mark 7:6, 7; Luke 13:24; Colossians 2:8; ompare Matthew 7:14) Consider the example of the Beroeans found in Acts 10-12; compare Acts 17:2; 18:19, 28.
This first step will enrich one’s understanding with the help of others; and, by repeatedly praying to God for understanding and guidance, however, it is not enough because we all need help with understanding. Consider how Jesus patiently explained his teachings to his disciples-even on small matters. Compare John 14:6; Acts 8:30, 31; Romans 4:2; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5: 17; Hebrews 13:6.
Markie51,
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/6/2009 7:26:43 PM
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tsnody2001
Posts: 324
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From: Terre Haute, IN
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Let God's word say what God's word says. If we have to twist, add, or take away from God's word to get it to fi into our doctrine, then our doctrine is wrong. Let God's word interpret what God's word means. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would teach us all truth, and the Holy Spirit doesn't teach one person one doctrine and then teach another person a completely different doctrine. Most of the time our doctrines are based on what the opinions of other men are. Not based on what the actual word of God says.
Here is a good message regarding the topic.
Who's Interpretation of the Bible Should We Believe?
and
Do You Have Itching Ears?
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/6/2009 10:06:59 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1811
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
The first thing to be clear about is that if all Christians have made the written Word of God the ultimate and final authority in all doctrinal matters, and if all Christians are led and taught by the Holy Spirit (as they ought to be) then there should be no doctrinal differences.
Doctrinal disputes have arisen because man-made traditions or teachings have been introduced into the churches. If we love Christ (who is the Truth) as we ought to then we must also love the truth revealed in His Word, and present it clearly with the Scriptures to support it. If we love others as we ought to, then we must remember that God will have all men not only to be saved, but "to come unto the knowledge of the truth". There can be no spiritual unity apart from God's truth.
We must also keep in mind that all Christians are in a spiritual battle in which Satan and his evil spirits sow their lies and thereby create dissension. It would be naive to think that this battle will somehow stop if we wish for it to stop. All false teaching ultimately comes from Satan (Gen. 3:1-5), and the adversary is busy every day.
As to the best and only way to settle doctrinal disputes, we must compare Scripture with Scripture and set aside all other man-made ideas, no matter how plausible they sound.
This is what I say. . . in fact, I've said it over and over and over again. People look at me like I'm crazy. So I'm especially glad to hear someone else say it as well. 
_____________________________
Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/7/2009 11:32:28 AM
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tsnody2001
Posts: 324
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From: Terre Haute, IN
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
The first thing to be clear about is that if all Christians have made the written Word of God the ultimate and final authority in all doctrinal matters, and if all Christians are led and taught by the Holy Spirit (as they ought to be) then there should be no doctrinal differences.
Doctrinal disputes have arisen because man-made traditions or teachings have been introduced into the churches. If we love Christ (who is the Truth) as we ought to then we must also love the truth revealed in His Word, and present it clearly with the Scriptures to support it. If we love others as we ought to, then we must remember that God will have all men not only to be saved, but "to come unto the knowledge of the truth". There can be no spiritual unity apart from God's truth.
We must also keep in mind that all Christians are in a spiritual battle in which Satan and his evil spirits sow their lies and thereby create dissension. It would be naive to think that this battle will somehow stop if we wish for it to stop. All false teaching ultimately comes from Satan (Gen. 3:1-5), and the adversary is busy every day.
As to the best and only way to settle doctrinal disputes, we must compare Scripture with Scripture and set aside all other man-made ideas, no matter how plausible they sound.
I 100% whole-heartedly agree! Well said. We have added to and added to, and taken away from and taken away from, and watered down God's Word for so long. MOST people can't discern where God's Word ends and man's doctrines and traditions begin.
Come on, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus! We must stop lifting ourselves and our self-righteous filled doctrines and traditions up above the Word of God Almighty. It is time that we STOP scratching our itching ears, deny our flesh, pick up our crosses and follow Jesus.
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/8/2009 10:12:23 AM
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drmark
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agapist, I would also like an answer to Abiyah's question in post #20. Is this thread discussing essentials or non-essentials or perhaps the difference between the two?
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Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/8/2009 4:49:22 PM
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LoyalGypsy
Posts: 2244
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quote:
ORIGINAL: agapist
As far as I can see, what needs to take place first before we attempt to resolve questions of doctrine (what we believe) is to resolve the position of our heart (how we believe); there is no chance for the Church to be one without this provision.
What I recently discovered is that how we believe is at least as important as what we believe. It si the how we believe that brings Truth to light and life.
The steady divisiveness, not diversity, of the Church since its the end of persecution and the start of acceptance by ancient Rome is abudant evidence that little or no attention has been paid to how we are to believe. Belief has an end. Do you know what it is?
Please share your heart and, if necessary, your mind on this notion.
Yours in Christ,
Aagapist
Greetings
quote:
What is the best way
Eze 36:27 - Show Context
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
quote:
What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine
Ga 5:16
I say then: Walk in the Spirit,
LG
_____________________________
Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice
...So the Persians ask that the 300 drop their arms. Leonidas responds; "Persians! Come and get them!"
300 The Movie
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 11/9/2009 7:58:23 AM
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DaveW
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I am going to offer a crazy option: Recover the logical framework of the authors of the NT: first century Judaism. If you try to take any words (including God's Word) away from the logic framework and cultural background where it was written and try to understand it from your own, it is bound to generate errors and distortions.
The group "Toward Jerusalem Council II" http://www.tjcii.org has published a series of e-booklets esplaining their mission. In this first one (currently not on the website) Catholic theologian Fr Peter Hocken writes this:
...the Pauline vision of the church as the union of Jew and
Gentile in the one body is expressed in the letter to the Ephesians,
which perhaps more than any other letter in the New Testament
presents a universal and cosmic vision of “the many in the one”:
the “plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him [Christ],
things in heaven and things on earth” (Eph. 1: 10). It is the vision
of Christ, under whose feet the Father has “put all things” and who
has been made “the head over all things for the church” (Eph. 1:22).
The sectarian tendency to reject all other expressions of faith in
Jesus Christ as deviant or defective was itself a fruit of the
replacement/rejectionist thinking that had refused any Jewish
expression in the early centuries. The acceptance of the rightness
and the necessity of Jewish and Gentile expressions of faith within
the one body excludes all sectarianism.
-------
Thirdly, every Christian tradition carries a distinctive witness of
the Holy Spirit that is needed for the fullness and the final
completion of the one body of Christ. This witness of the Holy
Spirit can only find its true place in the framework that
acknowledges the first place of the elder brother.
Fr Hocken has gone on to say that some of the stickey doctrinal points that have kept us divided can ONLY be settled out if the church as a whole starts looking at Jewish believers as the elder brother who can mediate.
As this document is not available on line right now on the tjcII site (perhaps they are updating it) I can send a copy to anyone who wants it.
< Message edited by DaveW -- 11/9/2009 8:05:03 AM >
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RE: What is the best way to settle questions of doctrine? - 
