Grace Thoughts
GraceLife Thoughts – ‘Error’ in Apologetics
Studying conflicting doctrinal positions is challenging, but exciting at the same time. I found the challenge fulfilling and important to my growth as a Christian and future apologist. Studying “error” means learning “truth.”
The importance of error in apologetics is learning to distinguish truth from error. Do you know how a federal agent learns to detect counterfeit money? They study the real money until they master its look and feel. The same is true for a Christian apologist. If you want to be able to detect counterfeit doctrine, study the real doctrine until you master the knowledge and wisdom within. The better you know the truth, the better you will know the lie.
Jesus promised His followers that the Holy Spirit would guide them “into all truth” (John 16:13), but also warned them that they would be “sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16) and would be persecuted for their faith in Christ (Luke 21:12). The Apostle Paul warned the leaders of the Christian church in Ephesus that people would rise up from inside the church, “speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). Paul later wrote to Timothy about staying in Ephesus “that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
I learned very early in my Christian experience about the importance of investigating all teachings claiming to be from God. We must know the difference between truth and error and be able to teach others. Why? Paul explained it beautifully to Timothy:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” 1 Timothy 4:1-7
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5
Are you up for the challenge? If so, let us know how we can help.
“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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Founder & Director of GraceLife Ministries View all posts by gracelifethoughts
