• About
  • BULLETIN ARTICLES

etsop95

~ Perspectives on Bible, philosophy, and politics (sometimes)

etsop95

Tag Archives: think

KNOW or THINK

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Leadership, Man-Made Churches, Preaching

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

2 John, doctrine, know, progressive, think

Every now and again there will be a remark made about those who are “progressive amongst us.” Who are the progressives, and exactly what is it that makes one progressive? The Scriptures teach, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 7-11, NKJV).

In the context of which John speaks, a progressive is one who does not feel constrained by that which the Lord said. In other words, a progressive is one who thinks what the Lord said does not prohibit in all cases. For instance, the New Testament expressly declares that saints under the authority of  the new covenant will sing with the heart (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16); there is no express prohibition to the use of the mechanical instrument of music. Progressives will assert this does not, therefore, prohibit its use in the congregational setting.

Look at what John said again; to “transgress” or “go beyond” means that one does not stay within the constraints of the New Testament. The NET reads this way, “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9).

Those who are progressive in religious matters can be just as sweet, courteous, genuine and have all the appearance of godliness as any, but in this mistaken approach of theirs they have put themselves in a precarious position with the Lord. What shall we do then? Let us stay within the constraints of the Lord, and encourage (insist) others do the same. Doing so, with the right heart, means we can KNOW we are right. Those who refuse (or don’t) can’t know anything; they can only THINK they are right. There is a difference. RT

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 749 other followers

Last Month

Log in

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blogs I Follow

  • Christian Publishing House Blog
  • Canon Fodder
  • PreachingHelp.org
  • Biblical Proof
  • Sunrush Church of Christ
  • The Church of God
  • Brotherhood News
  • Believing Prayer
  • Daniel B. Wallace
  • NT Resources
  • etsop95
  • Forthright Press
  • Ferrell's Travel Blog
  • Larry Hurtado's Blog
  • Carolina Messenger
  • ThinkingJesus
  • CRI
  • Big Ten Network
  • eScriptorium
  • Biblical Notes

Blog Stats

  • 15,408 hits

RSS Unknown Feed

  • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
<ul id="<a-href="https://jar.tiddlyhost.com/-WebList">See-WebList
  • Blog at WordPress.com.

    Christian Publishing House Blog

    Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity

    Canon Fodder

    Exploring the origins of the New Testament canon and other biblical and theological issues

    PreachingHelp.org

    The sermons and writings of Steve Higginbotham

    Biblical Proof

    Speaking where the bible speaks, and silent where the bible is silent.

    Sunrush Church of Christ

    The Church of God

    Official Website of The Church of God (Restoration)

    Brotherhood News

    Believing Prayer

    Daniel B. Wallace

    Executive Director of CSNTM & Senior Research Professor of NT Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary

    NT Resources

    etsop95

    Perspectives on Bible, philosophy, and politics (sometimes)

    Forthright Press

    Straight to the Cross

    Ferrell's Travel Blog

    Commenting on biblical studies, archaeology, travel and photography

    Larry Hurtado's Blog

    Comments on the New Testament and Early Christianity (and related matters)

    Carolina Messenger

    "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

    ThinkingJesus

    Letting Jesus Speak Today

    CRI

    Big Ten Network

    Big Ten Network's website

    eScriptorium

    Biblical Notes

    - Est. 1965 by Roy C. Deaver -

    • Follow Following
      • etsop95
      • Join 749 other followers
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • etsop95
      • Customize
      • Follow Following
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar