Religious But Wrong There is a theory that is common in the world today that all who are sincere in what they believe in their religion will be acceptable to God. In other words, if a man is really religious, as the term is used, he will be eternally saved. It is our purpose to examine some events that are related in the New Testament in order that we may determine whether this theory is true. Theology and The Christian All Christians have thoughts about God and should be pursuing a knowledge of Him in scriptural understanding. We are all theologians. The question is not whether we have a theology but rather, if we have a good or bad theology. To have a bad theology is no small thing. A bad theology will result in a man-centered, shallow, diminished religion which lacks the power and holiness it ought to have. Doctrine AND Practice In simple terms, Christian doctrine is the What of Christian theology and Christian practice is the How of Christian theology. The What always determines the How. Can You Be Deceived? The words deceit, deceitful, deceitfully, deceitfulness, deceive, and deceivability are used again and again in the Bible. It is one of the major themes. The underlying Greek words for deceit cover everything from self-deceit to the practice of deceit by unprincipled religious teachers and con artists. So we are warned repeatedly and must be ready. The Breakdown of Religious Knowledge While the threat of postmodern relativism may be something new, it is not the first time that Christians have seen a concentrated effort to destroy the foundations of truth. A Biblical Guide to Orthodoxy and Heresy: For most Christians today, the challenge of learning how to discern orthodox from heretical doctrine has apparently not been faced. Either they treat doctrine as minimally important and so regard charges of "heresy" as rude and unloving, or they treat doctrine as all-important and so regard anyone who disagrees with them in the slightest as a heretic. In short, most believers seem to think either that there are almost no heretics or that almost everybody outside their own little group is a heretic. The cause of doctrinal discernment, then, is in serious jeopardy How To Discern Judge and Test Rightly What methods are being used for "discernment" today that don't have biblical support .. how does the Bible does tell us to test teaching, prophecy and actions. How to Keep from Getting Spiritually Weird You've got to know doctrine. Sorry, there's no other way. That's the only way to be protected. And remember what I said yesterday if you want to build your faith? Build your knowledge, because knowledge under girds faith. This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. You can't know what's theologically weird and avoid it unless you know what's theologically normal. The Gift of Prophecy Handled Carefully? Is the gift of prophecy in the church today handled carefully and with discernment? Pleasures Forevermore: A Theology of the Heart Because God engages us with all that we are, as whole persons, head and heart together at the same time. We never turn our brains off and we should never shut our hearts down either.
ALSO SEE Biblical Interpretation...12 Golden Rules
What basic and common sense rules should we apply to reading Scripture? Never Read a Bible Verse
The numbers in front of the sentences give the illusion the verses stand alone in their meaning. They were not in the originals but added hundreds of years later. Chapter and verse breaks sometimes pop up in unfortunate places, separating relevant material that should be grouped together. What Are We Looking For In The Bible
To preach the Bible as "the handbook for life," or as the answer to every question, rather than as the revelation of Christ, is to turn the Bible into an entirely different book. This is how the Pharisees approached Scripture
What The Bible Says About Doctrine 1Timothy 1:3 As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine. 1Timothy 1:10 for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine. 1Timothy 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. 1Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1Timothy 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. 1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1Timothy 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. 1Timothy 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; 2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 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.
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