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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Subject: denominations. |
Bible Note: Dear Brother Ed, You are, of course, free to end the discussion you began at any time. However, permit me to correct a few historical inaccuracies before we leave off. Luther preached using texts from all four of the books of the New Testament that you referenced. He must have changed his mind about them at some point in his life. Perhaps his life was not a single, monolithic set of beliefs. Maybe he adjusted his thinking over time, as most people do? (Perhaps, one day soon, we should look at the character and life of Charles F. Parham in order to adequately judge another very large movement of modern times? (Jude 8)) For the sake of argument we may say that the Reformation is the origin of denominations (at least, in the modern sense), as long as we ignore the East-West Church thing, and all those other divisions throughout history. However, I strongly disagree with your contention that it was *not* about the Gospel. Even Erasmus realized this and articulated it very clearly. If you read the decrees of the Council of Trent you will see that the Church of Rome was clear about this as well. Sola scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola gratia, Sola fide, Soli Deo gloria -- every single one of these pillars of the Reformation have to do with the Gospel. The Gospel is the central theme of Christianity, it should not surprise us that it was a central theme of the Reformation. Now, regarding denominations divided over the Gospel: Think of the differences between Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Methodism, and Pentecostalism with regards to the definitions of soteriological words like atonement, justification, sanctification, reconciliation, propitiation, imputation, and regeneration. There are even differences in such fundamental concepts as grace, faith, the will, etc. My disagreement with you has never been regarding the advantages or disadvantages of denominationalism. Rather, it is an implicit condemnation of our denominational brethren, the misrepresentation of history as a means to an end, and a questionable hermeneutic. Okay... now let's have done! I have homework that needs attending. :-) In Him, Doc Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Proverbs 22:28) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. (Psalms 143:5) "By despising all that has preceded us, we teach others to despise ourselves." --William Hazlitt (1821) "With this confidence in human ability comes the assumption that whatever is new is best. New is good and old is bad. But history shows that human 'progress' has been matched by even greater human sin." --Greg Pietsch (On Modernism, 2002) |