" Be careful that no one takes you captive through
philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental
forces of the world, and not based on Christ." -Colossians 2:8
As a follow up from my last post. I would like to give a warning about several
false teachings that are prevalent in the church today. These teaching tend to take believers in
Christ captive as the verse above states. These are not in the order of most or least
important.
1.
Legalism
Most believers are
smart en
ough to know that we don't work for salvation or grace, but many can
fall into the trap of boiling the Christian life into rule keeping consisting
of do's and don'ts. I also think that we
can fall into the trap of thinking that if we will behave ourselves, we might
earn a little more favor with God. The
truth is that grace is simply unmerited favor.
Sadly many families raise their children in a legalistic sense and these
children leave the church, never to return.
2.
Libertinism
This is chiefly a
misunderstanding of God's grace. It is
the belief that since we are now under grace, we have no need for the law. Instead of using God's grace to deny their sinful
living, they use it to justify it.
3.
Traditionalism
Traditionalism fails
to distinguish between biblical principles for ministry and cultural methods
for implementing these principles. Years
ago, DL Moody and others of his time, believed that you had to have "after
meetings" in order to reach people with the gospel. These were meetings after a worship or
revival service. The preacher would meet with those who wanted afterwards for
more of less a Q and A session. Today we
don't even know what an "after meeting" is, but in its time it was a
popular method. It also answers the
questions of a past generation. There is
a failure on the part of a person or church to build bridges into culture
instead of throwing rocks. There is also
a failure to be able to recognize and discern the culture around us. This view romanticizes and idolizes the past. Perhaps King Solomon said it best when the
wrote:
"Don't say,
"Why were the old days better than these?
For it is not wise to ask this?"
(Eccl. 7:10)
4.
Innovation
If traditionalism is
backwards looking and removed from culture, than innovation is the other extreme
of this view. It is more or less a
bridge too far into culture. It is
unrestrained and undiscerning of culture that instead of calling people into
the light, are taken captive by culture. also captivates it to the
culture. If the truth of the gospel does
not lead and guide, then those involved in this false teaching will, as the
apostle Paul, called "Exchange the truth for a lie."
5.
Mysticism
Mysticism is an over
infatuation with the experience, seeking to separate the operation of the Holy
Spirit from the objective Word of God. The Holy Spirit will never lead us with
a spiritual impression that is contradictory to the Word of God.
6.
Feminism
The main problem in this teaching is that it revolves around
role confusion and reversal. Please keep
in mind that God is a God of order.
Within the trinity, God the Father is equal to Jesus Christ, but there
is a submission on Jesus' part to God the Father. Once we begin down this path of role
confusion, it creates many problems both at home in the church. May we honor the order God has given for
biblical manhood and womanhood.
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