Originally posted by All about Grace:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by bjonson:
All about Grace,
I say this with all sincerity:
I pity your congregation if you honestly feel that there is no place for "berean-like" examination of all things by comparing teachings to the scriptures.
I can only imagine how you explain Paul's DOZEN's of warnings against false doctrine.
This is an example of why we need a new reformation in evangelicalism. And, it's NOT the kind that Warren is trying to pull.
You cannot even see the error of your own quotes -- I guess you are only qualified to point out the errors of others. You said in an earlier post that we were instructed to examine things like the Bereans. I simply asked where that instruction was given. But then again, you are ignoring questions, so I am not surprised you missed it.
And if you want to pity congregations, pity those whose leaders are so focused on those inside the fold they neglect to reach those outside the flock.
Churches have one of two options: focus on reaching or focus on keeping. We prefer to focus on reaching. </font>[/QUOTE]Sigh...
Ok, Acts 17:11 shows how the Christians at Berea eagerly "searched the scriptures" to see if what Paul preached was true. Perhaps my use of "commanded" should have been worded "we should be like the Bereans..." It is a small issue because the point is we need to search the scriptures as they did and examine everything we hear.
Now, if you want to focus on my use of "commanded" and say it isn't exactly accurate, that's fine. But, there is an ENORMOUS difference in this small error and Warren taking scriptures from all over the place and exegeting them in ways that are significantly wrong. If you would like to review my article for plenty of examples, I would recommend that.
I have a feeling you'll say "see? You misused scripture by saying we are commanded to be like the Bereans when we aren't" and therefore decide nothing I wrote is worth reading. And, everyone reading this knows that my exhortation to respond to Bible teaching like the Bereans did is accurate. That was my point.
One other suggestion: Churches don't only have two choices, as you suggest, "focus on reaching or focus on keeping." They are to do both. And, if you'll read Acts you'll see that the early church learned the apostles doctrine and took that message to the world. We need both; reaching and keeping. Surely you didn't mean to say they are mutually exclusive?