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NASB | 1 Corinthians 9:19 ¶ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 9:19 ¶ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ]. |
Bible Question:
Hi all, The church I have been attending has been involved with this stuff for quite sometime. It always bothered me, but I just blew it off, until this last week. My pastor asked me to read a book awhile ago (title withheld, E-mail me if you want the title) and I finally got around to reading it, or I should say what I could stomach! Over the last few days I have been researching the Emergent movement and Lectio Divina, then thinking more about the teachings of my church. Our web page has now taken down it's Statement of Faith and replaced it with a mission statement (not bad in and of itself). There is also a section on Lectio Divina complete with quotes to help you meditate, several of which are from Thomas Merton (google this guy). I am now starting to believe that false doctrines have crept into my church, but am unsure of how I should react biblicaly. Any scripture or advice would be appreciated. |
Bible Answer: Dear Strts5, Heterodoxy and error are always going to be with us, and we should expect them (1 Corinthians 11:19). In my own Confession, it states "The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in Him, and make profession of His Name. (1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17)" The correctness of our church begins with ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5-7). That work of ferreting out the lie and inculcating the truth has far reaching implications (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). However, when the church strays too far, it is, perhaps, appropriate to seek a congregation that is submitting to Christ, and keeping the Scriptures, in a superior fashion. Bishop J. C. Ryle once said, "Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity ...But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching that is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin." In Him, Doc |