July 16, 2003

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  I have been reading my SIR's still   and a question was posed and I would like to expound on it a bit... not so much give the answer, but ask anyone else to comment on it.  It is something to think about.

  
  

  Based on the scripture:

  
  

  
  

  Titus 3:8-15
  8 The saying is sure.  I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. 9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. 10 As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.  12 When I send Artemas or Tych'icus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicop'olis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol'los on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.  15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all.  RSV

  
  

  This is what is called shunning now in some denominations.  Yes it is not a good thing to have this happen in a congregation... but who is to say that this person can not still receive their salvation by going to another denomination.  It is done all the time.  This is a problem... every church interprets scripture differently.  Let me show you another way of thinking about it.  The idea of sola scriptura, and everyone reading the Bible and everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit... this is all good, don't get me wrong, and it is all scriptural, I haven't gotten to the problem yet   The problem is.... with this, how do we know who is correct... how do we know what the correct interpretation is?  Wouldn't it hold that no one person's interpretation is any more correct than anyone else's?  The same Bible can be read by two different people and even though they both have the Holy Spirit, they both come up with two differing interpretations.  Who is the final arbiter of truth in this situation, and who decides who is correct?  The answer for many is to move to another church that has the same beliefs as the individual.  Is this what Paul is referring to in the passage above?  Is "having nothing to do with him" going to effect that person if they disagree?  Maybe for awhile, they might be hurt, but if they believe their interpretation is correct and the churches is in correct they will move on, and they would never have to be refused entering the house of God completely.  Is this what Paul meant?  Is this going to change the ways of that sinful person?  Isn't there always going to be a church somewhere that will interpret the Bible the way that person does?  And if there isn't, couldn't that person start up another church?  Therefore, that person will never truly be condemned.  When Paul tells Titus to discontinue associating with a person who causes strife and division that was a big deal. The person in those days couldn't church hop or run to a new congregation each week. If they were banned from church, then they were removed from the only place where salvation is found and they were truly condemned.  So then, what about this teaching of Paul's to Titus?  Is it just something that doesn't happen today?  Is God's Word eternal?  I believe it is.... so then, what do we do with this in today's world?

  
  

  • 4:49 pm
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