“THE CRUX OF THE MATTER” - IV The Crux of the Matter uses the language of Ashdod. Some of the Jews who had returned with Nehemiah from Babylonian captivity married wives of Ashdod, Ammon, and of Moab. Nehemiah stated, “ And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people” (Neh.13:24). Today, when preachers or professors feed too long on the diet of denominational doctrine, they begin to speak the jargon of the denominations. The ACU professors use language that shows their lack of knowledge or appreciation of the New Testament. Let us note a few of their sectarian expressions: 1. Expressions regarding the church. “Christians in Churches of Christ,” (p. 70); “believers in other churches,” (p. 124). “The Shape of Our Family Tree” chart, (p. 104). These expressions indicate that these authors look upon the blood- bought church of our Lord as nothing more than a denomination among denominations. God has children (Gal. 3:26-27), but he has none outside his family. Thus, there are no “believers” (as the term is used in the New Testament) in other churches. The chart of “Our Family Tree” makes us nothing more than an offshoot of the denominations. If one is a Christian, he is a member of the church of Christ. If one is not a member of the church of Christ, he is not a Christian.
2. The working of the Holy Spirit. The professors say, “The gap between us and the text would be too broad for us to close without the activity of God’s Spirit, who works in the community to lead us into all truth when we are faithfully cultivating the holy life (John 16:13).” (p. 164). Redundantly, they say, “We must trust in the Lord’s promise that the Spirit will guide us into truth (John 16:13).” (p. 193). Again, “The business of interpretation and discernment requires many people with different gifts and perspectives (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:7-16).” (p. 168). These fellows are long on talking about dealing with the text properly but short on the application as the above quotes show. The first two quotes, based on a failure to see to whom the Lord was speaking, are misused. The Holy Spirit did guide the apostles into all truth. Thus, there is no need for him to guide anyone today in the interpretation of the truth. I know that the Holy Spirit did not guide these professors in the interpretation of this passage, or they would not have misused it. The same goes for the third quotation. The two passages cited (1 Cor. 12-14; Eph. 4:7-16) are in reference to miraculous gifts that were available in the first century by the apostles having laid hands on certain ones (Acts 8:14-21). These miraculous gifts are not available today. A text taken out of context becomes a pretext. These three quotes are good examples of this truth. 3. Teaching. These ACU professors have a subtitle, “Formulating Doctrine in Churches of Christ.” (p.191). They write of “forming good doctrine” (p.200) or “Forming good, biblical doctrine.” (p.205). They write of “the theology of Churches of Christ” (p.127). This kind of language, coming from those who profess to be New Testament Christians, is enough to make one want to regurgitate. It is disgusting to read such pablum. We do not “form” doctrine. We are to know the doctrine of Christ, not shape it (John 7:17). We are to continue in the doctrine of Christ, not form it (Acts 2:42). We are to obey the form of doctrine, not to formulate it (Rom. 6:17). We are to abide in the doctrine of Christ, not to mold it into our liking (2 John 9-11). The New Testament does not speak of the doctrine, or theology, of the church of Christ. This is sectarian speech. Childers, Foster and Reese sound more like Catholics than Christians. 4. “Pastorals,” “pastoral letters” (pp. 186-191). The letters of I and II Timothy and Titus were written to two preachers, Timothy and Titus. Neither man, as far as the inspired record goes, were pastors. The denominational world refers to preachers as “pastors,” but the New Testament does not use that term in reference to preachers, or evangelists. Paul wrote, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). The Greek word translated “pastors” here is translated in other places as “shepherds” or the singular as “shepherd.” The verb form of this word is used in reference to the work of elders, or overseers, of the local flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). To refer to the letters to Timothy and Titus as “pastorals” shows the authors of The Crux of the Matter have been drinking too much from denominational wells. “Pastorals” or “pastoral letters” is a misnomer. It is certainly not speaking as the oracles of God. There are other examples that could be given of the language of Ashdod in The Crux of the Matter, but enough is enough. | ||||||||