Of these things put them in remembrance,
charging them before the Lord that they
strive no about words to no profit,
but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the words of truth. But
shun profane and vain babblings; for they
will increase unto more ungodliness.
and their word will eat as doeth a canker:
of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past
already: and overthrow the faith of some.
2Timothy 2:14-18
EVERY PERSON CLAIMING TO BE A CHRISTIAN SAYS THAT THEY HAVE THE TRUTH! ALL CLAIMING THIS USE SCRIPTURE TO PROVE THEIR THEOLOGY.
WHO HAS THE TRUTH? HOW CAN I KNOW?
I will take some excerpts from: "The commonitory" written by Vincent of Lerins probably around the year 434 A.D. because he wrote about the time of the Council of Ephesus that took place in 431 A.D. This problem of determining who speaks the truth is an old age problem as can be seen by the opening verses by Paul. We must use a Standard Test for Orthodoxy as we examine Scripture in light of what a person teaches and preaches saying that it is "truth." To do this one must study as Paul admonishes and this requires an earnest and diligent inquiry about the men who seem to have an outstanding holiness and learning, seeking to know if this is true so we can assure ourselves of the truth of the catholic (universal) faith and in regards to the falsity of heretical perversity. We need to be able to unmask the frauds of heretics as they arise, and avoid their snares which is an unhealthy faith so that we would remain sound and whole. First then, is to fortify faith by divine law and then by traditions of the catholic (universal) Church.This is the rubric therefore; we do not put traditions ahead of divine law. It may be asked: "Since the canon of the Scriptures are complete, abundantly sufficient for every purpose, is there a need to add to it the authority of the Church's interpretation? Scripture has a depth to it causing it not to be received by all in one and the same sense, making its declaration subject to interpretation and their are as many interpretations as there are men. For this reason it is very necessary that, on account of so great intricacies of such varied error, the line used in exposition of the prophets and apostles be made straight in accordance with the standard of ecclesiastical and catholic (universal) interpretation. Likewise the catholic (universal) Church must take special care so that they hold to that which has been received, believed everywhere, always, and by all men. Some will object and will only use Scripture and remember this is the first part of the rubric for the Standard to know Orthodoxy. Remember the words of Paul who at his writing did not have the New Testament, but did have the Old Testament and the testament in regards to history of the Jewish people and used this when he wrote to Timothy: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shall both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1Timothy 4:16). What doctrine? Paul spoke the doctrine to the Church that Jesus Christ was God, the Son of God, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven and that all believers must follow the commands set forth by the Old Testament in regards to the Ten Commandments for the other laws instituted were no longer in affect, and in regards to the words of Jesus Christ. So Paul followed the Standard Test for true Orthodoxy.
We have a Rule for Evaluating Dissent. This is necessary in our investigation to find the truth for is some part of the Church, some preacher or teacher cuts themselves apart from the communion of the universal faith is only cause the of the health of the whole body of the Church to be diseased and injured. This contagion is an attempt to infect not only some, but the whole of the Church. Therefore we must watch out so that you or whoever, will not be led astray. If this falsity, or heresy be exposed then an Authentic Christian will carefully oppose this rashness or ignorance. We do have decrees from men of antiquity to examine the universality of a doctrine and even if we do not have a decree to examine in regards to some teaching that is being examined we will take time to examine and investigate the view of our forefathers and compare them with each other. What then is discovered, not with one or two alone, but all together, with one and the same agreement, openly, often, and continually, have held, have written,have taught, let him understand that he must believe this without any hesitation. All this is first, second, thirdly, and more, having been Standardized by Scripture rightly exegeted, rightly understood in its original language, then by the traditions, or history we can rightly accept a person's doctrine or teaching.
You say that you do not have time for all this? Time is hard to keep and to be set aside for this, but, time is in your control. You determine what is your priority. There may by necessity an adjustment in the use of your time. It would be good to read, the Bible, other books, not just books about your denomination or belief, but books written by men who may not hold to what you believe. If you do not know both sides of an argument how then can you know if you have the truth? You, your spouse, your children, relatives, friends, and others are depending upon you. Will you let all this go down the drain just so that you do not have to be bothered? I pray that this is not the case. I attempt in these blogs to bring to you the truth, use Scripture and define the Greek and Hebrew so that a full understanding may be reached. Check me out! If you do not agree, write a comment. Steel sharpens steel!
But if the watchman see the
sword come and blow not
trumpet, and the people be
not warned; if the sword
come, and take any person
from among them, he is
taken away in his iniquity;
but his blood will I require
at the watchman's hand.
Ezekiel 33:6
You are called to be a watchman
Richard L. Crumb
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