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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Extreme Views Are Nothing New | Titus 3:10 | Makarios | 10053 | ||
Hank, Yes, the Bible is explicitly clear on how we should confront our brothers and sisters, coming to them in humility (and if rejected), taking a witness, and then bringing the situation before the entire assembly. And the early church took Paul's statements "expel the immoral brother" and "hand him over to Satan" quite literally by excommunicating people from the church. This would, in turn, act on the person's feelings of being included within the (supposedly) loving group, which would eventually cause them to abandon their wayward ways and to seek fellowship again, choosing to be in a right standing with the fellowship rather than facing the dreadful 'exclusion' of the fellowship. However, if we try this today, people are more likely to go to their local tavern and find "fellowship" there instead.. As for 'extreme views', is this where Gnosticism comes into play? As always, Hank, your posts are thought provoking! :) Nolan |
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2 | Extreme Views Are Nothing New | Titus 3:10 | Hank | 10057 | ||
Nolan, Paul could have had Gnosticism in mind when he issued this apostolic command against the inroads of heresy, but Gnosticism in apolostic times was still in a rather unorganized, embryonic stage. More probably, it seems to me, that it is a blanket command encompassing all deviant teachings, and there were many in Paul's time as there are in ours. Circumcision, eating meat, profaning the observance of the Lord's Supper, immorality -- these are but a few of the challenges and pitfalls with which the early church had to grapple. The church throughout its history has faced a myriad of threats from within and from without, and faces them still. It has prevailed, battle worn and scarred perhaps, but prevailed. And it ever shall, until our Lord returns. --Hank | ||||||