The Rest of the Old Old Story

The same day I was asked about the Roman Catholic Church, I got an email about the Eastern Orthodox Church as well.

This was my response to the Orthodox person.

Note: The Eastern Orthodox Church, described too simply, is the Roman Catholic Church of the Eastern world.

The Eastern Orthodox Church and Historic Christianity

Thank you for writing me.

I have considered the Eastern Orthodox church. In fact, I was asked to leave a small church of which I was an elder for opposing their joining the Russian Orthodox Church. I have also attended (just once) an Assyrian Orthodox Church and spent several hours talking with its priest.

The funny part of that is we still make jokes (friendly, pleasant ones) about that day because he had 3 very large turtles in his back yard and he was a trekkie (as in Star Trek trekkie).

The primary reason I can’t go Orthodox–or any other denomination–is complicated.

The simple version of it is that I don’t believe in a church other than the local church.

The saints, those who are sold out to Christ, are supposed to be family to each other in their local area. Yes, the local churches should be in fellowship with one another and correcting one another, but there’s nothing apostolic about regional or national church leaders.

There are secondary reasons, the biggest one being that I believe the veneration of icons to be idolatry, but the primary one is the one I just gave.

Confused about Christianity?

Let’s wipe out all the confusion in one blog post.

Yes, deliverance from all the competing doctrines of Christianity, and a straightforward, you-will-agree-with-this, Biblical description of the Gospel.

Are you ready?

Titus 2:1-10: Sifting Down to Sound Doctrine

I talk about Titus 2:1-10 all the time. It says what sound doctrine is.

It’s not the sort of thing you’d expect …

Sound Doctrine According to Titus Two

• Older men should be serious, sensible, self-controlled and good at faith, love, and patience
• Older women should live holy, avoid drunkenness, and teach good things
• Younger women should love their husbands and children, be chaste, good, and keep a good home.
• Young men should be serious and sensible
• Titus himself should be an example of good works and teach this doctrine in sincerity without changing it.
• Employees should obey their employers, please them, not talk back, and not steal.

Is that what you’ve heard sound doctrine is? Is that on your church’s statement of faith?

Maybe we have some things to change.

Before we get back to the rest of Titus 2, let’s talk about what sound doctrine isn’t …

1 Timothy 6:3: What Sound Doctrine Is NOT

This blog’s title mentions the pastoral epistles. All this wonderful, freeing, confusion-crushing information comes from Titus and Timothy.

In 1 Timothy 6:3 Paul tells Timothy that everyone ought to consent to "sound words." (Whatever English word your Bible uses, the Greek word is the same as Titus 2:1. I’m using sound in both cases.)

He also says that everyone ought to to consent to the doctrine which is according to godliness.It’s probably not too hard to figure out he’s talking about the sound teaching found it Titus 2:1-10. Be serious, live holy, love, be patient, obey your employers, love your children, etc.

Then …

• We are proud
• We don’t know anything
• We have a mental illness causing us to obsess about questions and arguments. (Really, that’s how the Greek reads. The NASB calls it a morbid obsession.)
• We produce envy, strife, suspiciousness, slander and numerous other things

So, let me ask …

Doesn’t practical experience prove Paul right? Aren’t we obsessed to the point that it could be called psychopathic with arguing about questionable issues, while we ignore patience, faith, raising children, and being sensible of mind in following Christ? Isn’t the result envy, strife, suspiciousness, and slander?

I’d like to suggest that this is what Paul said it was …

The result of ignoring sound doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: The Whole Point of the Bible

Let’s keep this section short.

That’s what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, right?

Titus 2:11-14: What Grace Is and Why Jesus Died

That’s what it says, right? Am I missing something?

What Grace Is NOT

Grace is not an excuse for loose living. Grace is not a reason to reject the admonition of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

"Are you the Holy Spirit? Why are you rebuking me? Remember, WE’RE UNDER GRACE."

How many times have you heard that nonsense.

"Yeah, exactly, brother. That’s why I’m rebuking you. Grace has destroyed sin’s power over you (Rom. 6:14), so I know when I admonish you, you have the power to obey."

Last Little Bit

I hope I’m not exaggerating when I say today’s post has the power to change your life.

The Bible isn’t written to solve the useless issues in your systematic theologies. It’s written to equip you for good works!!!

No wonder none of us have been able to resolve all those doctrinal things denominations fight over.

We’re supposed to ignore them!

And get busy being those people that are zealous for good works.

This is a faithful saying, and I want you to constantly affirm these things, that those who have believed in God would be careful to maintain good works. (Tit. 3:14)

‘Nuff said.

I got an email from a Roman Catholic yesterday. It was very nice this time. Most of the vitriolic (um, harsh and negative) letters I receive are from Catholics. This one was very kind.

On the other hand, he asked me to go view a video that would set me straight. I didn’t go view it. I already know that even the best RC apologists go quickly to deceit when appealing to the early fathers on behalf of their church.

But the issue is much simpler than what the father say.

Here’s the email I sent back; it applies to Protestants, too …

Why I Reject the Authority of the Roman Catholic Church

And Why You Should, Too

Thank you for your kind letter.

I really can’t back off on my stance on the Roman Catholic Church. I was raised Catholic. You may be surprised at my biggest objection to the RCC.

Back in the 4th century, the church began to let people in who had made no commitment to Christ. This is true for the vast majority of Roman Catholic members. They are not taught the Gospel, that Jesus Christ calls people to deny themselves, take up their cross, forsake their possessions, live separate from the world, and join themselves to the family of Christ.

Protestants don’t do much better.

Either way, Christ, the apostles, and the early churches knew only one Gospel, leaving the old life to become a part of the family of God that cares nothing for the things of this world.

The RCC doesn’t teach that to its members. Protestants don’t teach that much, either, but then, Protestants don’t claim that to have a worldwide leader who is the vicar of Christ on earth.

I want those who are wholly committed to Christ to join themselves to one another and quit fellowshipping with nominal Christians, who, according to Scripture, are no Christians at all. And I certainly want them to reject the RCC as an authoritative representative of God when they are telling over a billion people that they are in fellowship with God because of rituals while they live lives that testify against the Gospel of Christ. (See Luke 14:26-33 and note the “cannots” in there.)

My son Noah leaves for a 6-week mission trip to Kenya, Africa on Tuesday.

He’ll be blogging about it the whole trip, and he’s started already …

Noah in Africa

My oldest sons, Zerubbabel and Noah
That’s Zube on the left, Noah on the right