Understand the biblical and theological framework for such an action.
The Foundation for Action
False teachers reject primary Christian doctrines including the Bible’s divine authority, God’s Trinity, Christ’s deity and humanity, His atoning work and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit’s personality and deity.[1] We can identify them through their evil behavior and treacherous ministry, and by evaluating what they teach about Scripture, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.[1]
The Church’s Responsibility
The church separates from false teachers to maintain doctrinal integrity and protect believers from error that inhibits spiritual growth and destroys faith.[2] A church that permits false teaching cannot fulfill its mandate to serve as “the pillar and ground of the truth.”[2]
Critical Safeguards
Separation from false teachers does not involve judging secret hypocrites—only those who openly teach false doctrine.[2] Even while treating false teachers with gentleness, the church must expel them for protection, and expulsion may confront them with truth.[2]
These principles give our church leadership the theological framework they need to respond appropriately to the current circumstances.
[1] Floyd H. Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2012), 389.
[2] Mark Sidwell, Set Apart: The Nature and Importance of Biblical Separation (Greenville, SC: JourneyForth, 2016). [See here, here, here, here, here.]
No comments:
Post a Comment