Featured The Root...of Doctrinal Apostasy...what is that?

Indeed. However, many politicians and Progressive scholars read that phrase into the 1st Amendment of the Constitution and tried to use it as justification to mute the church from speaking with authority in the public arena. Constitutionally there is no separation of church and state, only the prohibition of the state from establishing a national religion or of it intruding into the affairs of the church. Theologically speaking, I do not see how the separation of church and state is a Baptist distinctive. Churches should speak to the issues of the day, proclaiming the truth in the face increasing godliness.

 

Politics is godless so why should any Christian want to delve into it?

 

Because some moral issues are co-opted by politicians. Think of marriage and the sanctity of human life. The church should proclaim the biblical truth about these issues, both inside and outside the walls of the worship sanctuary. I am not saying the church should become political itself, like the Moral Majority in the 1980's. The Moral Majority made the error of placing trust in the Republican Party, only to be cast aside when it was no longer relevant. The church should remain independent of a party so that it can stand for the truth without compromise or equivocation.

 

Apostasy is the change of an accepted position to one that is not.. Not the belief in error.

plural apostasies
1: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
2: abandonment of a previous loyalty :

Technically, Paul is apostate when compared to Judaism, Martin Luther when compared to Catholicism.

Some new Christians, non Jewish, in the NT could never be considered apostate.

Doctrinal errors sprout on their owm

 

Apostasy would be doctrinal deviation from the truths of Christianity, to deny the Fundamental Christian doctrines of the faith!

 

I guess, technically, the belief in error would be called 'heresy':

Theopedia:

Heresy is a teaching or practice which denies one or more essentials of the Christian faith, divides Christians, and deserves condemnation. The term is derived from the Greek word hairesis, literally meaning a choice, but referring more specifically to a sect, party or disunion. Luke uses the term in Acts to refer to the sects of the Sadducees (5:17), Pharisees (15:5; 26:5), and even the Christians - called Nazarenes and the Way (24:5,14; 28:22). When Paul uses the term in 1 Corinthians and Galatians, he refers to the divisions which cause strife in the church, while Peter links the term to false prophets and teachers.

While there is a temptation for Christians to label whatever is not in keeping with sound doctrine as heresy, the Bible seems to make the distinction that heresy is not merely the opposite of orthodoxy. Rather, heresy is a divisive teaching or practice which forces those who call themselves Christians to separate from it or face condemnation for it. John the Apostle gave a prime example of such a doctrine: denying the true nature of the person and work of Jesus Christ (I John 4:1-3; 2 John 1:7-11).
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Apostasy in the church has very little to do with the world systems of governance other than how that governance will attempt to influence and control the church.

Apostasy in the church is the departure of and replacement of the sovereignty of God with human rationalization. It is reflected in the modern church by the abundance of folks who chase after every "wind of doctrine" as if it is valid, and place emphasis upon feelings and thinking rather than on the quotation of Scriptures.

But, this is as the Scriptures do teach. That significant to the last times is that great falling away from the truth, that great embracing of error, that replacement of Holy Spirit cleansing and leading with worldly affections and attractions.

What is sadder is the mocking and shamming that comes from those supposed believers when they are confronted with the Bible. The Scriptures become repulsive to them, they no longer can be brought under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and have no desire but for power, praise, and profit.

Is this not as Hebrews 6 states? Has there ever been an apostate that could or would recant and repent?
Does history bear witness of any, even one?

 

Can a real Christian do either though?

 

Perhaps for a season.

The Sheep was able to wander off, requiring the Shepherd to leave the 99 and bring it back.
The Prodigal Son went out into the world for a while before coming to his senses and returning home to the arms of his ever waiting father.

Can one of God's fore-loved, struggle to earn his salvation because he listened to a serpent's whisper? Perhaps for a season, until either he comes to his senses or the Good Shepherd guides him back to the flock.

 

That makes sense, as one , for example, could be beguiled to getting into Charismatic extremes, but fins their way back out!

 

Ah, the idea that one can choose salvation and struggle to earn the salvation is certainly not seen as the sheep and the son.

What is interesting to me is that the unquestioned ownership of both of these already long settled by heritage and purchase, despite their wandering.

The Shepherd didn't guide, but took him "on His shoulders" from the wilderness to the flock left in the open country. The son did not run to the father, the father ran to the son hugging him, embracing him, declaring him still a son.

The apostate has no care nor desire to be brought back, they will die rather than repent and acknowledge their error.

 

But that is different from the apostate.

The apostate never finds their way back out.

Hebrews 6 fits the apostate, it does not fit the heretic.

One who strays into "charismatic extremes" is embracing that which is heretical.

One who departs from the gospel once delivered by the apostles is an apostate.

 

Heb 6 is not apostasy despite claims and commentaries but security of the believer, being saved once.

We Baptist were considered apostate or rather heretics because we are not Catholic.

 

I disagree with how you would work through Hebrews 6 in this matter.

Hebrews 6 is about those who became apostates. They are not saved. They are as the seed scattered upon shallow soil which grew for a bit but withered.


Do you not see that In this part?

7For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.​

There is no salvation to be found in the apostate. There never was.

 

Ah you foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?

One can start out well, stray off the narrow path to the left or right as a backslider or into legalism, and find your way back to the path. It is not salvation that I had in mind (which was settled before the foundation of the Earth) but the “walk” (sanctification).