Heavenly Pilgrim
New Member
I placed this in quotes due to the fact of at least one book by this title that I have, entitled “ The History of Christian Doctrines “ by Louis Berkhof.
Who can deny that good men view things often from differing perspectives, and at times hold differing ideas as to the truth and its origin? As we all are aware of there is much history within the Church, and often a clear and precise historical trial to follow that will shed light upon many controversies.
Let me point out to the reader what I see as the most important outcome of this thread. I believe if we approach this with an open heart and mind that we will indeed find that Scripture itself often does not decisively spell out many doctrinal positions, neither are any of us islands to ourselves, having beat out on our own doctrinal positions on anvils known only to ourselves as some on this lsit seem to beleive is the case with their own held positions. We all are the product of the influnce of others upon our lives, and the doctrines we hold to are of no exception.
It is my contention that the Church has been, whether individually being keenly aware or cognizant of it or not, unduly influenced by the notions of a few influential key players within the Church. Such influence has been wielded by not only that of mere position but by the ability to wield force, even that of seeing to the banishment, the destruction of all or nearly all of their opponents writings, (much in kind to the removal of posts on discussion lists:wavey: ) torment, and often death to their opposition. Many today within the Church hold to positions that are the product of men and women of the past within the Church that even as we speak, wield influence from their graves.
I cannot but help be reminded of the words of the translators of the King James text when they noted the attitude of some who gave liking to nothing but what they claim is framed by that which is derived by what they see as the product of that which was hammered out on their own anvil apart from the input of all others. In the translators words, “we shall be maligned by self-conceited brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil.”
It would seem apparent to me that a needed step of maturity by all that profess to be the dispensers of truth to a lost world should be that of recognizing the great impact of the notions of others upon our own ideas and conclusions and not to be insulted when such a connection is made by others. It is not hypocrisy of the highest degree to despise and condemn in others that which we do in the regular discourse of our own communication?
Thoughts?
Who can deny that good men view things often from differing perspectives, and at times hold differing ideas as to the truth and its origin? As we all are aware of there is much history within the Church, and often a clear and precise historical trial to follow that will shed light upon many controversies.
Let me point out to the reader what I see as the most important outcome of this thread. I believe if we approach this with an open heart and mind that we will indeed find that Scripture itself often does not decisively spell out many doctrinal positions, neither are any of us islands to ourselves, having beat out on our own doctrinal positions on anvils known only to ourselves as some on this lsit seem to beleive is the case with their own held positions. We all are the product of the influnce of others upon our lives, and the doctrines we hold to are of no exception.
It is my contention that the Church has been, whether individually being keenly aware or cognizant of it or not, unduly influenced by the notions of a few influential key players within the Church. Such influence has been wielded by not only that of mere position but by the ability to wield force, even that of seeing to the banishment, the destruction of all or nearly all of their opponents writings, (much in kind to the removal of posts on discussion lists:wavey: ) torment, and often death to their opposition. Many today within the Church hold to positions that are the product of men and women of the past within the Church that even as we speak, wield influence from their graves.
I cannot but help be reminded of the words of the translators of the King James text when they noted the attitude of some who gave liking to nothing but what they claim is framed by that which is derived by what they see as the product of that which was hammered out on their own anvil apart from the input of all others. In the translators words, “we shall be maligned by self-conceited brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil.”
It would seem apparent to me that a needed step of maturity by all that profess to be the dispensers of truth to a lost world should be that of recognizing the great impact of the notions of others upon our own ideas and conclusions and not to be insulted when such a connection is made by others. It is not hypocrisy of the highest degree to despise and condemn in others that which we do in the regular discourse of our own communication?
Thoughts?
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