I'm awestruck at how God has me focusing on 1 Timothy today. This is the second time in an hour I've used this commentary from Matthew Henry to respond to a note:
"Take heed of these," says he, "watch against them, or they will be the corrupting and ruining of religion among you, for they minister questions rather than edifying." That which ministers questions is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up. And I think, by a parity of reason, every thing else that ministers questions rather than godly edifying should be disclaimed and disregarded by us, such as an uninterrupted succession in the ministry from the apostles down to these times, the absolute necessity of episcopal ordination, and of the intention of the minister to the efficacy and validity of the sacraments he ministers. These are as bad as Jewish fables and endless genealogies, for they involve us in inextricable difficulties, and tend only to shake the foundations of a Christian's hope and to fill his mind with perplexing doubts and fears. Godly edifying is the end ministers should aim at in all their discourses, that Christians may be improving in godliness and growing up to a greater likeness to the blessed God. Observe, further, Godly edifying must be in faith: the gospel is the foundation on which we build; it is by faith that we come to God at first (Heb 11 6), and it must be in the same way, and by the same principle of faith, that we must be edified. Again, Ministers should avoid, as much as may be, what will occasion disputes; and would do well to insist on the great and practical points of religion, about which there can be no disputes; for even disputes about great and necessary truths draw off the mind from the main design of Christianity, and eat out the vitals of religion, which consist in practice and obedience as well as in faith, that we may not hold the truth in unrighteousness, but may keep the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
I appreciate the clarity of this piece, having seen much of this kind of thing from the inside during two decades in a progressive leaning church environment, The "dialogue" as deceptive cover for advancing unorthodox theology, the "third way" alternative (I was drawn to this one for awhile until I saw it was also a smokescreen for progressive beliefs), etc.
Also, I decided years ago that Kristen Dumez was a bad faith actor and times has pretty much confirmed that.
In my work with The Abide Project I have seen miracles. One of those is seeing how God’s love for those remaining *and* those leaving is greater than my sinful impatience initially allowed. Despite revisionist cries to the contrary, no officer or lay member has been excommunicated or forced out of the CRC. First, not shying away from sexual immorality being a cause for division is crucial. Second, our steadfast resolve for orthodox sexuality *while* giving revisionists a years-long process to exhaust their case against the Word of God himself focused on God’s witness by his Spirit through his word, without focusing on personalities, culture war, and politics. May God be praised for his faithfulness, and for lifting up faithful, vocal, and steadfast leaders in the CRC.
1. Neuhaus rule remains undefeated.
2. Those women who were ordained: what did you mean by “how they lived their lives?” Can you expand on that?
Short answer, most/all of them proved to be varieties of Marxists and/or apostates afterwards.
I'm awestruck at how God has me focusing on 1 Timothy today. This is the second time in an hour I've used this commentary from Matthew Henry to respond to a note:
"Take heed of these," says he, "watch against them, or they will be the corrupting and ruining of religion among you, for they minister questions rather than edifying." That which ministers questions is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up. And I think, by a parity of reason, every thing else that ministers questions rather than godly edifying should be disclaimed and disregarded by us, such as an uninterrupted succession in the ministry from the apostles down to these times, the absolute necessity of episcopal ordination, and of the intention of the minister to the efficacy and validity of the sacraments he ministers. These are as bad as Jewish fables and endless genealogies, for they involve us in inextricable difficulties, and tend only to shake the foundations of a Christian's hope and to fill his mind with perplexing doubts and fears. Godly edifying is the end ministers should aim at in all their discourses, that Christians may be improving in godliness and growing up to a greater likeness to the blessed God. Observe, further, Godly edifying must be in faith: the gospel is the foundation on which we build; it is by faith that we come to God at first (Heb 11 6), and it must be in the same way, and by the same principle of faith, that we must be edified. Again, Ministers should avoid, as much as may be, what will occasion disputes; and would do well to insist on the great and practical points of religion, about which there can be no disputes; for even disputes about great and necessary truths draw off the mind from the main design of Christianity, and eat out the vitals of religion, which consist in practice and obedience as well as in faith, that we may not hold the truth in unrighteousness, but may keep the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
“Duel integrities” - I don't know if you meant to spell it that way, but ain't it true!!!
My best misspelling ever!
I appreciate the clarity of this piece, having seen much of this kind of thing from the inside during two decades in a progressive leaning church environment, The "dialogue" as deceptive cover for advancing unorthodox theology, the "third way" alternative (I was drawn to this one for awhile until I saw it was also a smokescreen for progressive beliefs), etc.
Also, I decided years ago that Kristen Dumez was a bad faith actor and times has pretty much confirmed that.
In my work with The Abide Project I have seen miracles. One of those is seeing how God’s love for those remaining *and* those leaving is greater than my sinful impatience initially allowed. Despite revisionist cries to the contrary, no officer or lay member has been excommunicated or forced out of the CRC. First, not shying away from sexual immorality being a cause for division is crucial. Second, our steadfast resolve for orthodox sexuality *while* giving revisionists a years-long process to exhaust their case against the Word of God himself focused on God’s witness by his Spirit through his word, without focusing on personalities, culture war, and politics. May God be praised for his faithfulness, and for lifting up faithful, vocal, and steadfast leaders in the CRC.
Like I wrote, your patience was risky but commendable. May God continue to bless your faithfulness.