The relationship of Christian doctrine and the local church is like an apple and its tree. Good apple trees tend to produce good apples. We know it’s a good apple because it’s sweet, juicy and crunchy. Likewise, a local church with a weaker grasp on Christian doctrine will tend to produce Christians who are not very well equipped to do good works. Logic follows therefore that in order for a Christian to be a pleasing aroma to the LORD, we ought to do our best to look for a good local church body to be a part of. more…
Evidence is means for persuasion not proof.
The refusal of a non believer to accept the Christian Truth when faced with persuasive arguments should be no surprise to the Christian since conversion is done by God alone in his perfect timing.
Whilst reading The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce, the book makes clear the amount of competing theories modern scholars are suggesting today. To say the Bible is unreliable and corrupted is an understatement. It highlights the level of corruption not in the scriptures but in the human heart. Man would cling on to the most improbable proposition to strengthen their hatred for God.
Of course, the argument can go both ways and the reverse can be said against Christians.
The circus gets better when the postmodern tells each party that everyone is the same and it’s all true providing you believe it’s true. Let us all stop our dogmatism and be friends on common ground.
In some sense, the postmodern makes a point since conversion is an inner calling; a calling by God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Christian Truth can only be understood if God allows the non believer to understand. The heart of man is so corrupted they will never accept the biblical meta narrative without divine intervention. The Proof of Truth is instilled by God and God alone; given not attained.
Hate it or love it God makes the world go round including you and your thoughts.
I will most likely end up agreeing to one of the historical confessions by the end of my study but here is the current list; The Bible and Truth:
- The Bible is the only basis for Christian doctrine.
- The Bible is divinely inspired and is the supreme truth.
- The Bible is a closed cannon since the whole of redemptive history has now been revealed.
- Traditions of men and/or ‘new revelations’ unfounded in the Bible is invalid.
- All Truth is God’s Truth.
- There is only one Truth. Truth is absolute.
- All generally accepted Truth claims(i.e. scientific, historical etc.) which we might refer to as general revelation and/or universal truth should carry weight and consideration.
Currently reading: The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce
Book recommendations on the topic would be greatly appreciated!
As I signed up to twitter a few weeks ago, I stumbled with the question above when filling in my profile. It’s probably a simple question to some but it was a real struggle for me. The first line I wrote was my job title, after all this is how we identify ourselves in the west. One of the most common introductory questions we usually ask each other is this… what do you do? more…
Being exposed to different Christian and other religious circles has been a serious learning curve. My journey has only started but already the intensity of pursuing righteousness is evident when looking at those who are ahead. Meeting people, understanding their perspective and studying their lives have been an encouragement in some cases; in other cases it served as a warning. more…