Defining the problem, seeking a solution

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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV

A number of popular and prominent theologies are competing for the hearts and minds of Christian believers today.  In doing so, theological concepts are taught that are in fact mutually exclusive.  In other words, for one theology to be correct, the others must be shown as incorrect.

Why is this?

And if so, what is therefore the danger to the ekklesia - the "called out" Church of Jesus Christ?

The first answer is because these theologies exist to cater to the particular preferences of certain types of people and thinking.  As opposed to being fully conformed and deferential to the Word of God, each of these systems forcefully submit and conform the Word of God into a construct that has great appeal to those who just really like the conclusions that are offered.  These folks also often represent generations of indoctrination into reading the Bible with very specific key conclusions already in mind.

When people desire to hear the Bible presented in those specific ways, certain men will happily step up to fill that need.  As a result, those things in the Bible that people may consider unpleasant, outmoded, or otherwise unappealing can be essentially and conveniently ignored while "church" still takes place!

The real issue, however - and thus the danger mentioned earlier - is the division that is sown among believers as these various doctrinal systems compete for their adherents.  This is true not only for the Church at large, but even within specific church denominations and/or local congregations.

Many churches today claim to be "non-denominational" yet their leadership will still cling to and advance a particular theology.  Some of the brethren within that fellowship might then in turn respectfully and Biblically disagree with that theology, but their dissent is either ignored or is denigrated as simply being "divisive" with respect to the rest of the church that seems to be just fine with what is going on.  Ultimately, they may even be told by the leadership that "maybe this just isn't the right place for you to fellowship".

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV

A divisive spirit is never of course a good thing, and there are no shortage of well meaning but zealous individuals that sometimes seem like they just want to argue for the sake of arguing.  On the other hand, what if what the leadership accuses in respect to some brethren as representing an act of "division" is really just the manifestation of the leaders' "go-to" reaction towards being held accountable to the simple declarations of the Word of God?

Again, these various theologies are so divisive in and of themselves that they create Biblical paradoxes.  An overriding and unyielding emphasis, for example, on just a few specific passages leads to the need to "interpret" those other passages which are contradictory to the doctrine in order to force those verses into compliance and therefore restore some semblance of order and consistency.  To do this credibly, one must spend years in seminaries and/or in reading large textbooks in order to absorb all of the nuances of their particular favored theology.  This therefore enables them to resolve any apparent contradictions that may arise from the simple reading of certain passages at an inconvenient moment because these contradictions have already been anticipated and dealt with by formulating stock answers with which to respond.

How many times have you heard a sermon whereby it is directly or indirectly proclaimed that "well, now that might be what the scripture says, but let me tell you what it means".  Or how about some variation of "well, these truths may not seem readily apparent because they must be gleaned from the scriptures".

We believe that the Word of God means what it plainly says, and that no amount of "gleaning", however creative and enticing, can make up for a clear lack of Biblical substantiation for a particular teaching.  Our job as believers is to be "as the Bereans" in terms of searching the scriptures to identify everything that the Word has to say about a particular subject before making any overarching conclusions about that subject.  There's nothing wrong with establishing some working conclusions as long as a "teachable spirit" is maintained that leaves one open to the possibility of additional scriptures being brought to one's attention that may require those conclusions to be further refined.

This approach is also recognized as seeking the whole counsel of God's Word, and is reflective of this pearl of wisdom found in Proverbs:

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:13 KJV

Various specific theologies typically begin with a kernel of truth based upon a few scriptures which at first glance may seem to be saying that things are in fact meant to be taken a certain way.  Yet upon further analysis of other scriptures on the subject it becomes apparent that those few scriptures often might really need to be understood in the light of the many others which are addressing the same topic.  Scripture really does interpret scripture, but only when it is allowed to!

Where things break down of course is the theology's insistence that these other scriptures must be understood only in the light of the few whose meaning has been repeatedly held to support only a narrow conclusion.  We also know that the more narrow a conclusion, the more divisive it tends to become with respect to the Church of Jesus Christ at large.  And by the way, while we are indeed very blessed to enjoy the freedoms that we currently have in the United States of America, we must never lose sight of His Church around the world.  This becomes especially important when we consider the degree to which some theologies, while making sense to Americans for one reason or another, may make absolutely no sense to our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries given the stark realities of their daily challenges and often very real persecution as believers!

Given all of these realities, Paul's warnings with regards to "sound doctrine" - especially here in the USA - then becomes just a matter of selective enforcement when it comes to applying the principles of sound doctrine.  Once a particular theological approach has been established as "sound" by its adherents and the infrastructure behind it (i.e seminaries, churches, staff, etc.), then the other competing doctrines can then be seen as "unsound".

The irony is that all of these various theologies are "unsound" to the extent by which they refuse to embrace the Whole Counsel of God's Word when doing so exposes that their conclusions are not reflective of all that scripture has to say about those subjects.

It must be said at this point that this desire to embrace the Whole Counsel of God's Word is not in any way a desire to unnecessarily disparage one theology over another.  Or alternatively, what happens when trying to "reason together" over the tenets of one theology, it is often then claimed that because you do not believe in "x", that means you must believe in "y" - with "y" being the typical thing that those who don't believe in "x" therefore believe in.

But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

Luke 11:17 KJV

Unfortunately, modern Christianity is dominated by theologies that require the other theologies to be wrong in order for the favored theology to be right.  Often, an adherent to one theology will just automatically assume that the person disagreeing with their theology is trying to just convert the adherent to that person's favored theology.  That the obvious division that this situation creates within the Church at large is not soberly recognized is a huge blind spot for modern established Christian churches and denominations.  Instead, their solution is to perpetuate the problem by trying ever harder to further spread their system.  The churches mistake "division" for that which may crop up within their own narrow bubble of denomination and/or local fellowship, and yet ignore the real division that their positions perpetuate within the Church at large.

Our shared desire should be the pursuit of His truth, and not our truth.  His truth is not represented by man made labels and constructs and overlays.  His truth is everything contained within the Holy Bible.  No one can create a box that is capable of containing His truth, but many continue to try.

Theologians also like to lean on the principle that context is vital when studying scripture, which is no doubt an important and critical exercise.  First we consider the overall passage within which a verse resides to get a feel for the subject at hand, and for whether the conversation is necessarily literal or allegorical/symbolic.  We can then also consider the meaning of the words with respect to those it was being spoken to, and also with respect to the time in which it was spoken.  Finally, we can go further and consider the meaning with respect to all those in Christ regardless of the time that has passed since His words and those of His apostles were spoken and recorded in writing.

This timeless aspect of the Word is expressed here by Paul:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

Where this process of determining "context" breaks down is the tendency for theologies to develop unique constructs of understanding which do not even apply their own rules consistently.  For example, scriptures that support the theology are held up as premier examples of literal truth (no matter what the immediate context may be), while scriptures that may actually contradict the theology are explained away as being "only for that time", or "meant only for a certain people".  This of course enables any apparent problems to be easily explained away.  The hypocrisy becomes clear when one sees rules being applied arbitrarily.

So if the problem is narrow minded thinking and conclusions being forced upon the Church, then what is the solution?

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Acts 20:27 KJV

Leimma.net humbly seeks to be a part of the solution - and therefore not a part of the problem - with regards to the theological dilemma facing today's Church.  This is especially important when considering the grave implications that theology may be having on how God's people may be overreacting or underreacting to the things happening around them as the Day of our Lord's Second Return continues to draw near.

How can Leimma.net help?  By providing a forum whereby theology can be engaged and examined without creating unnecessary walls of division by holding up one theology over another.  Positions on key doctrinal questions can be examined and established in light of declarative scripture, and at the same time be presented in a way that is always open to enhancement and correction as forum participants bring additional and compelling scriptural evidence to light.

If as believers our hearts are already tuned towards desiring to hear His Word, then no topic should be off limits if the discussion is firmly grounded in scripture.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV

At the same time, Leimma.net will not be allowed to be used in order to promulgate messages of hate, heresy, or outright spiritual deception in any way, shape, or form.  No rants are allowed, nor name calling tolerated.  Defending scripture does not require attacking those who do not agree with us and/or making things personal.  When needed, theological labels are used in the most general sense possible, and the naming of key individuals and/or specific denominations is also avoided.  If individuals are named, we try to do that only in a historical context in order to identify key milestones in the development of a particular theology.  Any criticism, however, is applied to the positions of the theology and not to its adherents.

Our approach to theology is not simplistic as the earnest work required is not trivial, yet our approach is nevertheless plain and simple.  Identify a Biblical topic.  Is it related to soteriology (the study of salvation)?  Is it related to eschatology (the study of the end times)?  Or something else of interest or importance?  No problem!  Just search the scriptures to identify all of the verses which speak to that topic, and then strive to make conclusions only where the actual Biblical evidence to support the conclusion is both deep and wide.  No cherry picking the scriptures in order to make a point, and no standing upon the soapboxes of traditional theological constructs.  Furthermore, no conclusions which require certain scriptures to be twisted into submission or outright ignored.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

With all due respects to the existing theologies in today's churches, our question to their adherents is the same as that posed by Paul in his admonitions found in 1 Corinthians regarding division:

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?   

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 KJV

No matter how "longstanding" or "established" or "well respected" a theology may be represented, it still came from a man or a group of men that have probably been dead for quite some time and who most certainly did not die for your sins.

The Word of God, however, is alive in both the form of the logos (Jesus Christ the Lord, who did die for your sins!) and is also - by the Grace of God - with us even to this day in written form (graphe) as well.

If one searches the scriptures for the key phrases and points and terms referred to by the various theologies then the clear disconnects between them and the Word become quite apparent.  Again, this is because these points and terms represent the structure of a box that those who teach the theology wish the Word of God to be contained within.

We would rather our understanding of the things of God be contained within the immeasurable box that is the Word of God.

Are you ready?