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From Jeff Wallace: The following list of 17 Scriptures all mention the word "doctrine." But in Eugene Peterson's Bible "version," 16 of the 17 verses have deleted that word. Only one verse still includes that word. That seems to fit the postmodern tendency to reject any certainty or absolute truth. Someone using the The Message to study the importance of doctrine would not find what the truth.
2
John 1:9
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God speed:
1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a
good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of
good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in
doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially
they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of
all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to
godliness;
2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able
by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Titus 2:7
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good
thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have
not profited them that have been occupied therein.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils;
From Kim N. Stager: I have been experiencing a lesser version of this systematic uncertainty of Biblical Scripture because of so-called hermeneutics. That there is a difference between a factual level basis for understanding versus an interpretational level basis for understanding. The former helps us know historical context about the events only. That interpretation is the tool to discern Scripture. But since it results in opposing interpretations, it leads to uncertainty as to absolute Truth -- not unlike the secular and dialectic notion in education that tells us there is no single right answer to anything.
That hermeneutics came from
paganism -- Hermes, the interpreter of the gods -- and the secular realm, should
give us all pause as to its being only useful to a degree. And beyond that
degree, must be seen for what it is: non-biblical. I believe that -- when
carried to its extreme as it is today -- it is a form of the Tower of Babel,
for it leads people from pure language to a confusion of language. A
deceived version of the Tower of Babel from the understanding of Scripture.
Not unlike what is called in academia "Creative Semantics", which is
designed to mislead readers -- and would easily deceive Christians ignorant
of today's assaults on truth.
The Bible clearly tells us we need no man to
teach us the Truth of God. And that the Holy Spirit was sent that we might
be brought to recall the words of Christ and be convicted of sin. And that
the Holy Spirit can and will lead us into all Truth. I believe so-called
hermeneutics is inherent in our mental processes in its general and basic
tenets. However, from God's perspective as to what constitutes such tenets
and their application. As we meditate on God's word, by the Holy
Spirit, we are led into all Truth. Not the other way around. Not from
hermeneutics first, then to Truth. God's Way testifies from His word and
Spirit to our mind and spirit. As a result, I believe anyone who is born
again can know God's Truth and rightly divide His word. Without a course or
degree which focuses on man's or paganism's methods of understanding which
leads to a separation of people into "initiated" and "uninitiated" as in the
mystery religion Babylon of Satan and his so-called deeper truths--what the
Bible calls depths of Satan. Dividing people of God into clergy and lay.
Making people dependent on biblical experts, teachers, prophets, etc. in a
way that is un-biblical and can lead to deception of professing believers.
Hermeneutics leads many adherents to
believe, wrongly, that God is rational and logical. So we then must use such
mechanisms to understand God's Truth. Pure fallacious sophism, I believe.
Yes, God uses reason and logic throughout Scripture because He created us to
receive His Word thusly which serves to ground our understanding in ways we
can then communicate to others in the preaching of His gospel. But God's
absolute Truth, He communicates to us directly. Sort of inductively if you
will. Then we deduce what God told us. Using His word, canonized biblical
Scripture. God's Spirit testifying to our mind and spirit all the while.
However, God is omniscient. Therefore, He
does not use reason or logic to know. He just knows. But we are not also
omniscient. Ergo, He uses reason and logic to reveal His absolute Truth to
us concretely. Proving, so to speak, to us His Word and Truth. But God's
ways are not ours and His ways are above ours. So we must resonate what we
believe is God's Truth between His word and Spirit and our mind and spirit.
As I honestly search and meditate on the
Scriptures daily, open to the leading of God's Holy Spirit, He reveals all
Truth to me. As He will and does to all believers. The more we rely, first,
on such tools as hermeneutics and systematic theology, et al; the more
likely we are to err. For when I go too far with my reason and logic from
what the Holy Spirit reveals in God's word, the more likely I am to err. Or
realize I need to cut short further of my own reasoning and logic. But
instead, to continue to rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal God's word to me
as He wills. And as I have need. As a result, I have found I can discern
Truth from error. Not on my own, but by the Holy Spirit as described above.
And I can discern born again believers and commune with them in one
accord, so I can be united with them with the Holy Spirit. As we are of one
Spirit in the Kingdom of Heaven of Christ on earth. Please do not
misunderstand me. I have no special in with God. Nor can I with certainty
know the heart of any person, even my own, but by the Spirit of God, humbly.
God will entrust only His angels in separating the wheat from the chafe. I
presume, after He tells them which is which? My spirit grieves with all that is going on
in this world and within Christendom today! How much more the Holy Spirit of
God! We must speak the Truth in love whatever the cost, today especially.
For error abounds. Thank God His grace abounds more that we might be not
deceived. Some would probably argue that hermeneutics
are an essential part of seminary training. It includes the reminder
that Scripture itself interprets Scripture. In other words, what the
Bible consistently states in some chapters can be used to clarify other
Scriptures. But Andy and I have not studied
hermeneutics. We do what you suggest, pray that our Lord will speak to
us through His wonderful, unchanging, eternal Word. I am not anti-intellectual, so to speak. I have formal
university education at the graduate level myself. But I was blessed to see
the failings of human intellect, apart from God, from as young as 17 years
old while I was in high school. Though before I was Saved, I had no where to
turn for the answer to my questions as to the failings of human reason and
logic -- even in the face of man's prideful attestations to the contrary. As
I have studied the Bible by the Holy Spirit, He has revealed the reasons for
my previously held lack of reliance on human understanding.
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