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Apathy of Doctrine

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Jeremiah, Jan 28, 2003.

  1. Jeremiah

    Jeremiah Member

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    Recently our church has been invited to participate in some “community events.” These events involve many “churches” that teach false doctrine. After two business meetings, several group and one on one discussion, I have realized that the majority of our church members are apathetic to doctrine.

    1. Is this common throughout the church?
    2. How did this happen?
    3. What actions need to be taken to rectify the situation?
    4. What are the consequences of continued apathy.

    -- Jeremiah
     
  2. Daniel Dunivan

    Daniel Dunivan New Member

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    What are you considering false teachings? Islam or Lutherans?
     
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Agree. Many in our churches do not consider doctrine to be that important. They think that unity and ecumenicism (anybody who claims to be "christian", no matter how they define it) is more important.

    Churches need strong teaching of doctrine, bible-based instruction that is "no-nonsense, katy-bar-the-door, hard nosed ABSOLUTES and TRUTH" in a day when everybody is trying to be "tolerant".

    If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything. :eek:
     
  4. David A Bayliss

    David A Bayliss New Member

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    It is far less common in the US than in the UK. In the UK it has taken over.

    a) Yes
    b) We focussed bible learning in the 'minister' and everyone else pays him and assumes they have nothing left to do themselves
    c) Get everyone, but everyone studying the bible daily and living it out. Home bible studies. Exortation.
    d) The churches all blend into a mush. Laodicea.

    DAB

     
  5. C.R. Gordon

    C.R. Gordon New Member

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    1. YES! The church (rather the pastors) does not want to offend ANYONE. by calling them sinners, and calling on them to REPENT.

    2. (2 Tim. 4:3-4) & (2 Tim. 3:1-2)

    3. (2 Chronicles 7:14)& (Joel 2:12-14)

    4. (Romans 1:18) & (Romans 1:24-32)
     
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    No offense, but I'm always suspicious of people who use the phrase "false doctrine" as a blanket phrase. Which churches are you talking about? You'll find that there are Baptists which consider the Salvation Army and the Presbyterian churches as "false". Come to think of it, you'll find IFB folks that see SBC churches as "false".
     
  7. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    C. R. Gordan
    I would argue with you but I am too busy agreeing. :D

    Johnv
    You sound like you have been burned one time too many. I am beginning to understand that. :D

    [ January 29, 2003, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Artimaeus ]
     
  8. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    My Pastor is always being asked to join our local "Ministerial Group". He will not join because almost every denomination belongs to it and he cannot agree with their doctrine or some of the programs they sponsor.

    Thank God for a man who stands by God's principles and does not pander to society or situational ethics!

    [​IMG]
    Sue
     
  9. Daniel Dunivan

    Daniel Dunivan New Member

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    Sounds more like a Pharisee than Jesus! [​IMG]
     
  10. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I would be interested to hear how you arrived at that conclusion, Daniel. :confused:
     
  11. Daniel Dunivan

    Daniel Dunivan New Member

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    As we look at the gospel accounts of Jesus, we have a man who got into hot water with the religious elite, because he was inclusive. He accepted those who others would not. Jesus sat at table with those that the Pharisees described as sinners, as well as with the Pharisees themselves.When we treat other denominations as though they are not part of the Christian church, or worse, as unworthy of our fellowship, we are not being righteously zealous! We are being narrowly unrighteous and unchristain.

    I do think that Christians should care about theology, but not so that what is learned/applied can be used as an instrument of division. We get involved in theological reflection so that we better understand God, and so that we can apply what is known for the present day.

    Grace and Peace, Danny

    Danny
     
  12. Pete

    Pete New Member

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    As I recently said elsewhere on board (forget where atm): A mate says that when people tell him they "just want to love Jesus", he asks them "Which Jesus is it you want to just love?"

    God gave too many warnings in the Bible about false teachers and their teachings to just ignore (despite how much some people these days would like to....)

    1. Depends on the Church in question.
    2. People have itching ears. Hear what they want to. They do not want to know God's Truth on topics.
    3. Teach sound doctrine and carry a big stick ;) Crush wishy-washyness and relativism.
    4. Continued Church splits and who knows what.

    To further quote my mate "Everybody does theology, but not everybody does it well"

    Pete
     
  13. Jeremiah

    Jeremiah Member

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    I am not worried about denominations, or social groups. What I am worried about is the apathy of Christians towards doctrine in general. By False doctrine I mean teachings that directly go against what the scriptures tell us.

    Personally I find it difficult to participate in "community" events as a church body that also includes these "churches" and false doctrines. I find it difficult not to study doctrine and try and learn more about God’s plan and the ministry He has given me.

    It just amazes me that Christians don't want to grow in knowledge of Doctrine. They would grow in their "love" and in "worship" but they stop short of actual delving into scripture and hammering out the fundamentals of Biblical doctrine.


    Q. What is your church (or you) doing to address the problem of Apathy of Doctrine in believer's lives?
     
  14. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    There are too many preachers who think that theology (doctrines) is too cold and impersonal to include in sermons. Have a gander round and see how many topical "canned" sermons are preached each Sunday.

    Doctrinal preaching is so exciting. What can be more uplifting than a sermon on the work of Christ; sovereign grace; Sinners in love's hands; even predestination and election can be uplifting with a little imagination and hard work on the part of the preacher.

    We need to preach more on doctrine from our pulpits. We need to stir the imaginations of the pew sitters.....get their bibles out in the pews during the service....have them look up bible references...maybe even have different members read them out loud....

    This will build a solid assembly. I have never read a sermon by Spurgeon in that he did not exhalt the Lord Jesus Christ, yet I have heard many a sermon that almost missed Him altogether.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  15. Rev. G

    Rev. G New Member

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    1. Is this common throughout the church?
    YES.


    2. How did this happen?
    PASTORS STOPPED PREACHING DOCTRINAL MESSAGES. THE PASTORAL EPISTLES ARE FILLED WITH NUMEROUS EXHORTATIONS FOR PASTORS TO PREACH AND TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE. THEREFORE, THE ABSENCE OF SOUND THEOLOGICAL INSTRUCTION FROM THE PULPIT COMES FROM A FAILURE TO HEED THE WORD OF GOD.


    3. What actions need to be taken to rectify the situation?
    A) THOSE TRAINING TO BECOME PASTORS NEED TO BE GROUNDED IN EXPOSITORY PREACHING AND THE PREACHING OF SOUND DOCTRINE.
    B) PASTORS WHO HAVE FAILED TO PREACH DOCTRINAL SERMONS NEED TO REPENT.
    C) MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE HOLY SPIRIT MUST BE POURED OUT UPON THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTERS.


    4. What are the consequences of continued apathy.
    LESS AND LESS DISCERNMENT. MORE AND MORE WORLDLINESS.
     
  16. John Wells

    John Wells New Member

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    Amen Rev. G!

    For the time will come (it's here!) when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

    What America needs is revival . . . another "Great Awakening!" A good start would be to "clean house" in seminaries throughout the land, ridding them of heretical, relativistic teaching professors. If a revival caused the majority of church goers to get into and study the Word of God, they would run off the heretical worldly pastors with their "Don't worry, be happy" sermons!

    How do we start a revival?

    If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
     
  17. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    Why is that we think that a strong church will somehow lead to a better America? As a secular country, America would react the way other secular countries have reacted to strong churches and vibrant christians, with persecution. Also I don't think the problem in this country is a knowledge problem of christianity. We have more tools, resources, materials and conferences then we have ever had. The problem is in our application of what we know.
    We read feed the hungry, but what do we do about it? Just one example fill in the blank for the rest
     
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