1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Can unorthodox doctrine be truly well intended?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Jeremy Seth, Apr 14, 2016.

Top Posters
  1. Jeremy Seth

    Jeremy Seth Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2016
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    13
    Under the understanding of Orthodox meaning "right teaching" and God has made an objective correct answer on a given issue;

    If a person arrives at an incorrect doctrine, can they truly be well intentioned, given that the result differs from God's will?
    2 Timothy 2 talks about people being ensnared by the devil to do his will, but I don't know if this is specifically in regard to salvation.

    In 1 Corinthians 1 we see that Christians can have wrong ideas on how to practice Christianity, so it isn't just a matter of having the holy spirit.

    If God's will is perfect, and a person isn't aligned with it, that seems to say they are motivated by something other than God. This motivator is therefore sinful, and not a good intention but tarnished by pride, selfishness etc.
    Is there a term for this concept?
     
    #1 Jeremy Seth, Apr 14, 2016
  2. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    Welcome to BB Jeremy,
    Many a sincere person will hold a wrong understanding because they have not seen or heard true teaching put forth as yet.
    Some sit under false teaching for awhile and it takes time and providence to get them to undo the false ideas already absorbed.
    The passage you offer in 2 tim. Speaks of time and interaction with other believers that can be used by God to bring correction.
     
    #2 Iconoclast, Apr 14, 2016
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    Some of the most sincere people I know hold to heterodoxical beliefs. Some of the most influential people in the history of the Church have been heretics.

    Theology isn't about sincerity, or comfortability, it is about honoring God's ways as revealed in His words and helping others understand who He is and how we relate to Him. That doesn't always end up being touchy feely goodness either.
     
    #3 preachinjesus, Apr 14, 2016
    • Like Like x 2
  4. Jeremy Seth

    Jeremy Seth Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2016
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    13
    In the ways that they hold to heterodoxy, are they not truly submitting to God's will to have not arrived at the correct answer?

    I feel the need to be clear that I don't claim to have all the correct answers myself.
     
    #4 Jeremy Seth, Apr 14, 2016
  5. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2011
    Messages:
    28,742
    Likes Received:
    1,136
    Faith:
    Baptist
    One person's orthodoxy is another person's heterodoxy. Today, we look at the orthodoxy of the Catholic church of the dark ages as heretical. Yes, well intentioned people can be mistaken.

    Progressive sanctification refers to the process all "born anew" believers are undergoing. Every day we pick up our "cross" and strive to follow Christ. And every day we fail. We are to constantly evaluate ourselves (not others) and be diligent to address our shortcomings.
     
    #5 Van, Apr 16, 2016
  6. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,909
    Likes Received:
    2,128
    Faith:
    Baptist
    One can certainly be mistaken in theology from the best of motives. The prime example of that is Apollos in Acts 18:24-28. The great thing about him is that although he was a learned man and 'mighty in the Scriptures,' he wasn't too proud to learn from others.

    There's a lesson for us all in that! :)
     
    #6 Martin Marprelate, Apr 17, 2016
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2011
    Messages:
    2,314
    Likes Received:
    175
    Saying that someone who hasn't arrived at the correct answer is not submitting to God's will is a dangerous thing. Look at this board as a prime example. (I hesitate to mention this because) all you have to do is bring up Calvinism, and you've got a heated debate. Which side is truly submitting to God?

    Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk
     
    #7 Sapper Woody, Apr 18, 2016
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    20,080
    Likes Received:
    3,491
    Faith:
    Baptist
    And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? Which side submits to God. Those who believe salvation is all of God and none of man, or those who think God is powerless to save a person without that persons help/consent?

    (There, did that fulfill your prophecy? :D :D :D :D )
     
    #8 TCassidy, Apr 18, 2016
    • Like Like x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  9. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    This thread is just an example of the scriptural abuse employed in John 16:13 - However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth

    The common misapplication insists that "we" have been given this promise. We, as in every believer.

    So if "we" have been promised to be guided into all truth, then most certainly "I" am.

    Therefore, since "I" have been, or am being, and you have a different "truth", then I can safely say you aren't one of "we" or "us"
     
    #9 JamesL, Apr 19, 2016
    • Useful Useful x 1
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...