Ultra-Liberalism In Churches of Christ
The Grace of God and Ultra-liberalism II
Last month we discussed the grace of God and ultra-liberalism. We discussed the distinction they make between "gospel" and "doctrine." We are going back to that subject again this month. This distinction, supposedly, allows us to fellowship all who have obeyed the gospel, regardless of doctrinal differences, believing the grace of God will cover those differences. We also pointed out that this is the same old unity-in-diversity error advocated by W. Carl Ketcherside, Leroy Garrett, Edward Fudge and others back in the 1970s.
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the saints in Rome, Rom. 1:7. These saints were members of the church in Rome. Paul wanted to visit them and among other things "preach the gospel" Rom. 1:15. Paul was going to Rome to do that which those who maintain the gospel/doctrine distinction say cannot be done. He was going to preach the gospel to the church. Apparently, Paul; was not aware of the gospel/doctrine distinction.
2 John 9-11 says, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." The unity-in-diversity, ultra-liberal group maintain that we should fellowship those who do not abide in the teaching of Christ, the Bible says we are not to receive or greet them.
It is sometimes argued that the "teaching of Christ" refers to the "teaching about Christ" As opposed to the "teaching from Christ." It is true 2 John does address the problem of some who deny that Jesus came in the flesh, v. 7. This would be a violation of what they call the "core gospel," but 2 John addresses more than just that point. In 2 John 4 John says, "I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. Verse 6 says, "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."
Matthew 16:12 speaks "of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Acts 2:42 speaks of "the apostles' teaching." Rev. 2;14,15 refer to the "teaching of Balaam" and the "teaching of the Nicolaitans." In each of these examples the teaching is not "about" the individuals mentioned, but the "teaching from them." I believe the same is true in 2 John 9, the "teaching or doctrine of Christ" refers to the teaching from Him.
Even if it is shown that 2 John 9 is talking about the "teaching about Christ" the Scriptures still teach that there is a standard by which we must live and serve God. "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked," 1 John 2:3-6. Paul mentions "sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted," 1 Timothy 1:10-11. 1 Timothy 6:3-4 warns "If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing..." 2 Timothy 4:3 warns, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." The "gospel/doctrine" distinction may be very comforting to those who do not believe and practice the truth, but it is error and souls are being lost by its teaching. The grace of God will save Christians who sin, but it is not automatic. The conditions of repentance, confession of sin and prayer must be met, Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9. Meeting these conditions earns us nothing, we have simply met the conditions. It is still by grace. - Richard Sims