@Charlie24
God instructed Christians to evaluate those teachings against "what is written" in Scripture. I believe this is why it took awhile for heresies to take hold. Churches were initially fairhful. And that is why I believe Christians today should obey that standard.
IF Christians tested doctrine against "what is written" in God's Word, leaned not on their own understanding but on every word from God, then many of these philosophies would never have taken hold in our churches. There would still be disagreements, different interpretations, and different understandings. Christians would still emphasize different truths of Scripture when dealing with doctrine.
But Chriatians would be united in Christ with God as their authority and these false doctrines (like Calvinism and Arminianism) would never have gained hold because they fail the test we are commanded to use.
There would be disagreements because we see now as through a glass, dimly. But Chrustianity as a whole would not have to deal with these stumbling blocks to the faith coming from within its own walks.
That is why I try so hard to keep my doctrine biblical (keep what I believe limited to "what is written" in God's Word). Now, I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I ain't stupid. I know I also have an understanding. I just try to keep that seperate from my belief (I try not to lean on it).
This is why you will never see me discussing end-times theories. I take what the Bible says as it comes, but freely admit I have no idea how it will look. I am not a dispensationalist or a covenant theorist. I take what the Bible says about dispensations and what God says about covenants as it comes in Scripture. How does God's mind work? I have no idea.
But I can read the words in my Bible. And I can believe those words. And I can easily test doctrine with a Bible and a highlighter to determine their validity.
What I have seen on this board is Calvinists condemning what I post when what I post is actually God's Word. They condemn me for rejecting what is NOT in God's Word.
Claiming to be wise they become fools - not because of me but because of Scripture. It is truly to them foolishness without their theory.
To the Calvinist this makes me two cans short of a six-pack. But I know where I stand now and will stand "on that day". So I'm cool with it.