____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ February 6, 2000 ____________________________________________________ Romans 14: It's the Context by J. S. Smith The unmistakable rumblings of division are currently being heard around the application of Romans the fourteenth chapter. An interpretation of God's intentions in this passage has arisen, which, while sweetly compatible with the human yearning for acceptance and mutual harmony, cannot be reconciled with the overall message of the New Testament of Jesus Christ. This interpretation, championed prominently on the pages of Christianity Magazine, holds that the tolerance of diversity commanded in Romans 14 must be extended beyond authorized liberties to matters of serious moral and doctrinal import. This interpretation places a premium upon the tolerance of error while vilifying any attempt at public correction or opposition. Thus, an esteemed evangelist who teaches acknowledged error concerning divorce and remarriage is likely more welcome than one who would boldly speak in opposition to his error and actually deliver the truth himself. It was the wrong King who uttered the immortal words, ``Can't we all just get along?''-- Rodney rather than Jesus. And yet it is exactly that philosophy which has infected the kingdom of the latter. Such a philosophy values pragmatism over protest and compromise over confrontation. Bible Precedent for the Tolerance of False Doctrine The Bible student cannot find a single approved instance of false doctrine on matters of the faith being tolerated in the New Testament. When Aquila and Priscilla discovered Apollos did not have the whole truth on baptism, they took him aside and set him straight (Acts 18:24-28). Rather than running off in tears of humiliation, he took their correction well and applied his eloquence more perfectly (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12). Unfortunately today, some of our most eloquent evangelists have been led to believe that their gifted speech is dependent upon clever witticisms and emotional tales, and that an infusion of scripture would serve only to disrupt the flow of their oratory. God give us more men like Apollos who can combine eloquence with accuracy and the whole counsel of God (1 Cor. 2:1-2 and Acts 20:27). In the first century, a false doctrine concerning the resurrection arose and threatened the souls of many believers. The apostle Paul's oft noted desire for peace (Rom. 14:19) could have led him to overlook it in the name of preacher fraternity and yet he chose to identify the false teachers and persuade a younger evangelist to shun such error (2 Tim. 2:14-18). He was both concerned over the possible corruption of Timothy and the eternal destruction of precious souls, led astray by the profane and idle babblings of Hymenaeus and Philetus. At one point in his career, the apostle Peter was preaching truth (Acts 10:35), but practicing error (Gal. 2:11). Rather than slap him on the back or defend his brother as one of great estimation, Paul ``withstood him to the face'' and rebuked him ``before them all'' (verse 14). Internal Limitations of Romans 14 and Tolerance With such examples, how can anyone suppose that the context of Romans 14 advocates the exact opposite? In fact, the context of this passage is internally limited to matters of authorized liberty, such as vegetarianism and day observances. An authorized liberty is an issue in which God is indifferent to whether a person participates or abstains from action. God receives men of opposite opinions in such matters equally (Rom. 14:3). Whether you eat meat or only vegetables is of no consequence to God, only refrain from being a stumbling block or exercising arrogance toward those of the opposite opinion (verses 13 and 10). These two practical matters (meats and days) exhaust the context of Romans 14 and both concern matters of authorized liberty. How can the advocated tolerance of such differences be logically extended to matters of unauthorized liberty? Is immodest attire an authorized liberty which will fit into Romans 14? No, for 1 Timothy 2:9-11 plainly condemns abbreviated dress as unfitting for those ``professing godliness.'' Wearing a bikini in public is not pure then (Rom. 14:20) and the opposite opinion is not received by God and should not be received by men. Is modern dancing an authorized liberty which will fit into Romans 14? No, for Galatians 5:19 condemns lewdness, ``indecent bodily movements'' and ``the unchaste handling of males and females,'' according to lexicographer Thayer. Such a thing is not clean then (Rom. 14:14) and is not received by God and should not be received by men. Moreover, dancing has the abundant power to incite lust in spectators and participants alike (Matt. 5:28) and thus destroy the one for whom Christ died (Rom. 14:15). Some are teaching that put-away fornicators can remarry scripturally, although no such authority exists in the Bible and the doctrine of Christ is quite to the contrary (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). Does the proclamation of such a doctrine fit into the context of Romans 14? No, for it is a failure to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11) and is by no means equally right with what Jesus did teach. A Line in the Sand The Holy Spirit drew a line in the sand around Romans 14 by confining its application of tolerance to matters of authorized liberty. The call today is to push that line out into the realm of matters of the faith. The proponents of this interpretation are claiming to be very reasonable and restrained, promising that this tolerance of doctrinal diversity will never go so far as to cover matters like denominationalism, baptism and instrumental music. Surely they cannot envision such a thing, but should their children and grandchildren ever insert consistency into their arguments, all such matters will have to be placed into the reconstructed Romans 14. If this doctrine fits, why doesn't this one, Daddy? If your issue fits, why doesn't mine, Grandpa? Conclusion Today such men are standing at the door of error, trying to open it subtly and just a bit. Tomorrow, they will find the next generation pushing harder to get it open just a bit more. The next day, the door will be forced wide open and they will be mere footnotes--or perhaps doormats--in the history of apostasy. -- The Watchman Magazine, September 1999 ___________________________________________ A Christian Is Sober by Robert F. Turner Ours is an age which puts emphasis upon the off-beat, weight upon that which is flimsy and light. We are easily ``caught up'' in this trend; so the straight line becomes more and more rare, even on the most serious subjects. But Christianity is no joke, and the Christian must learn seriousness at the risk of being thought a ``square'' (or the modern equivalent). Paul told Titus (TIT. 1:8) a bishop must be sober, just, holy, temperate. That word ``sober'' does not refer to freedom from alcohol, primarily; but calls for a certain state of mind or attitude --sometimes translated ``sensible.'' The Greek is ``sophron,'' a combine of ``save'' and ``mind.'' A ``sound minded'' person exercises common sense, is not a radical, is discreet. It is easy to see how this would be a necessary qualification for an overseer. But when Paul tells Titus to teach the things which become sound doctrine (TIT. 2:1-f), he lists the need for aged men to be ``sober, grave, temperate''; the later from ``sophron'' and meaning ``sober minded'' or ``sensible.'' The older women are to teach the younger women to be sober, or ``discrete.'' Titus is to exhort young men to be ``sober minded'' (again, from our word ``sophron''); and Titus is to do his teaching with ``gravity.'' In the more general passage of ROM. 12:3 we are told not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, ``but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.'' Apparently this ``sober'' attitude is a sort of antidote and antithesis of one of our greatest faults, egotism. In the past, various religions have made a ``long face'' the sign of piety, so that laughter was practically a sin. The same spirit was reflected in clothing, which must be drab, unattractive, and out of style. I believe these extremes often resulted in folk taking ``pride'' in their very lack of conformity, so that their garb and conduct became symbols of godliness ``to be seen of men'' rather than the genuine article. But this could not be charged against them all; nor can we deny that today's so-called Christian who is giddy with foolishness, and slave to silly fashions, makes a fool of himself and violates God's exhortation to be sober, sensible. This will not set well with some of today's church-members, but I believe it should be said. A Christian is conservative in dress and manner, and cannot take the lead in fashion and ``continental'' foolishness. Today's absurdities may become tomorrow's norm (although ``fads'' seldom get such general acceptance); but if they do, I believe a Christian should wait for tomorrow, even for those practices morally right within themselves. (We assume that if you have read this far you know we would not advocate participation in a thing wrong within itself, no matter how stylish.) A Christian is concerned primarily with salvation of the soul. Thoughts are upon ``things above, not on things on the earth'' (COL. 3:2). ``The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer'' (1PE. 4:7). Judgment will sober us!! -- Plain Talk, October 1967 ___________________________________________ Delusions of Grandeur by Jim R. Everett Each person is to esteem others better than himself and one is to look to the needs of others, but it does not follow from that that one is not to have a proper esteem for oneself. In fact, Jesus taught that one is to love his neighbor ``as himself'' (Matthew 22:39). The warning is, ``Do not think too highly of self.'' The self-deception (``delusion of grandeur'') comes when one thinks he is something ``when he is nothing'' (Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:3). This particular self-deception appears in a context of interrelated thoughts in Galatians 6:1-5; and the continuity can be missed, if one is not careful. For instance, verse 2, says, ``Bear ye one another's burdens.'' This means that each is to reach out to his brother in need, because he loves as Christ loved him (compare John 13:34). However, verse 5, says, ''...for every man shall bear his own burden.'' How did Paul make the transition from ``bear ye one another's burdens'' to ``every man shall bear his own burdens?'' Verses 3 and 4 are the key. The word ``for'' (v. 3) connects the thoughts together by showing an opposite of one who is willing to share. This one deems himself to be self sufficient. Such self satisfaction renders him incapable of bearing another's burden, for one who does not realize his own deficiency will not reach out to the needs of another. In this context the key to proper self evaluation that keeps one from being self deceived is the constant testing of one's own work. There is nothing wrong with realizing what one has been able to accomplish by God's help and to take pride in his own work. Without reference to any other person, each must shoulder his own responsibilities. Therefore, the opposite of ``delusions of grandeur'' is not self dejection and spurious self abasement but rather is, in humility, genuine testing of one's real value and accomplishment. ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Please pray for my sister Helen Bott who hasn't been feeling well. I know she would appreciate it--and so would I. She is presently having tests run. Being the first Sunday of the month, Rick Fleeman will be our guest speaker tonight. For those of you who are visiting with us, we want you to know that we are glad to have you here. Please come again. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________