Jason,
I have real heretics and real false teachers that I need to spend my time warning the church about. I've already publicly laid out what the Biblical doctrine of Unity and Separation is on my radio program and I stand by that teaching. Furthermore, I stand by the fact that neither Dr. Horton nor myself have run afoul of what the Bible actually forbids regarding Unity and Separation regardless of what a few deeply misguided and misinformed people have written on their blogs.
If you and Paula want to spend your time warning the church about orthodox proclaimers and defenders of the Biblical Gospel because you believe their guilty of not abiding by the doctrines of primary or secondary separation and if you want to adopt Ingrid's newly discovered rank in the army of Satan known as the "Bridger" or spend your weekends slaying windmills, then go ahead. Like I said, anyone who claims to have the gift of discernment but cannot properly identify friend and foe needs to take up a different career.
But, while you're warning the church about men like Michael Horton and myself, Dr. Horton and I will be warning the Body of Christ about the real threats that she's facing and equipping her to stand against her real enemies with real Biblical doctrine that centers on Christ and Him crucified for our sins. And when permitted, will even challenge the false doctrines and teachings of heretics to their faces and call them to repentance in their presence or in a personal conversation, knowing that heresy is not spread through casual contact nor does conversing privately or publicly with a heretic make one 'unclean' or a partaker in their heresies, nor does the Bible forbid a Christian to do that. In fact, the balanced Biblical view is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:13–15 which states:
Chris
I have real heretics and real false teachers that I need to spend my time warning the church about. I've already publicly laid out what the Biblical doctrine of Unity and Separation is on my radio program and I stand by that teaching. Furthermore, I stand by the fact that neither Dr. Horton nor myself have run afoul of what the Bible actually forbids regarding Unity and Separation regardless of what a few deeply misguided and misinformed people have written on their blogs.
If you and Paula want to spend your time warning the church about orthodox proclaimers and defenders of the Biblical Gospel because you believe their guilty of not abiding by the doctrines of primary or secondary separation and if you want to adopt Ingrid's newly discovered rank in the army of Satan known as the "Bridger" or spend your weekends slaying windmills, then go ahead. Like I said, anyone who claims to have the gift of discernment but cannot properly identify friend and foe needs to take up a different career.
But, while you're warning the church about men like Michael Horton and myself, Dr. Horton and I will be warning the Body of Christ about the real threats that she's facing and equipping her to stand against her real enemies with real Biblical doctrine that centers on Christ and Him crucified for our sins. And when permitted, will even challenge the false doctrines and teachings of heretics to their faces and call them to repentance in their presence or in a personal conversation, knowing that heresy is not spread through casual contact nor does conversing privately or publicly with a heretic make one 'unclean' or a partaker in their heresies, nor does the Bible forbid a Christian to do that. In fact, the balanced Biblical view is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:13–15 which states:
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.The correct Biblical understanding of separation informs us that we are to do 2 things when it comes dealing with heretics and false teachers.
- Have nothing to do with the person who doesn't abide in sound doctrine (this is referring to church fellowship not casual contact. How do I know? See point 2)
- Warn him as a brother (this is impossible to do if "having nothing to do with him" means we can't even have a conversation with that person. (conversation ≠ church fellowship)
Chris
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