Many solve crimes by following the money. But how do we find the Tares among the wheat? Jesus says the Tares or false Christians cause others to sin and do evil (Matthew 13:41). So instead of following the money, I follow the path of destruction in the doctrine’s wake.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
So an easy way to challenge any suspect doctrine is to ask “Does the teaching cause sin and destroy lives? Or does it promote holiness and strengthen lives?
If we can trust this gauge, we can easily spot some false doctrines. Abortion approved by many churches being the more obvious.
Other popular doctrines allowing divorce and remarriage destroy families when they reach their weakest point. Churches that teach against divorce have low or no divorce rates.
Many teach today’s Jews rightfully and unconditionally own Palestine. And this belief leads in part to terrorism and the wars now afflicting the world. But Paul said “For all the promises of God [made to Abraham too] in him are yea, and in him [Jesus] Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) (KJV 1900)
The Dual Morality doctrine justifies the Christian ignoring New Testament ethics, the Sermon on the Mount, and to kill the State’s enemies. This doctrine helped Hitler raise an army of Christians even among Mennonites. http://www.ephrataministries.org/rem...nite-nazis.a5w
Does the Lesser Magistrate doctrine justify Christians ignoring New Testament ethics and engaging in revolution? Dominion Theology calls for Christian takeover of governments. Even though Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world.
Does Infant Sprinkling (“Baptism”) place the Church above the word (in place of God), since scripture does not directly support infant baptism? Does it keep people from following Christ’s command to receive Baptism? How many Christians did the infant baptism doctrine kill over the centuries when believers refused to obey infant baptizers?
The Visible Institutional Church doctrine killed and oppressed millions of Christians and others. From Constantine’s time until America developed laws protecting us from the institutional churches. Simple independent churches being many of their victims from the beginning.
These are examples. But I believe if we question what we hear, and try to see where it ends, we might avoid having innocent blood on our own hands. “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.” (Matthew 13:41) NIV
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