Category: Doctrine

Church doctrine a line in the sand. - How will a leader or council of leaders choose what the Church will teach?
About Roger – TalkofJESUS.com Doctrine & teaching

What do Christians believe?

Doctrine = Teaching

What do you know about Biblical teaching and preaching?

WHAT DOCTRINES DO YOU BELIVE?

WHAT DOCTRINES DOES YOUR PASTOR PREACH (or avoid)?

  • a Brief Apologetic for Doctrine

    a Brief Apologetic for Doctrine

    Doctrine (of the Common Era) Defined

    A doctrine is a set of principles or beliefs, especially religious ones.

    Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

    Quite simply EVERYONE has doctrines WE believe, beliefs and opinions WE teach unyieldingly or perhaps underpinning our speech subtly.

    Due to its everyday influence on our lives I have reviewed and retaught DOCTRINE here with some regularity.


    1. something taught; teachings
    2. something taught as the principles or creed of a religion, political party, etc.; tenet or tenets; belief; dogma
    3. a rule, theory, or principle of law
    4. US
      an official statement of a nation’s policy, esp. toward other nations
      the Monroe Doctrine
    1. a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma
    2. a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
    Read the fine print below for a more succinct examination of doctrine. - RH

    doctrine refers to a theory based on carefully worked out principles and taught or advocated by its adherents [scientific or social doctrines]; dogma refers to a belief or doctrine that is handed down by authority as true and indisputable, and often connotes arbitrariness, arrogance, etc. [religious dogma]; tenet emphasizes the maintenance or defense, rather than the teaching, of a theory or principle [the tenets of a political party]; precept refers to an injunction or dogma intended as a rule of action or conduct [to teach by example rather than by precept]

    Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
    Do you really believe that? doctrine - a line in the sand [picture of Jesus kneeling down to draw a line with his finger
    DOCTRINE – What do you believe? Can you affirm it to others?

    Doctrine + TalkofJESUS.com

    HERE are several links where you should find teachings to Comment on Scripture OR respond to a doctrine with YOUR opinion.

    First, a summary PAGE which includes links to several earlier pages & posts on Doctrine.


    I asked, “Is the Church still ‘christian’‘ & other thought-provoking categorical questions about ‘the church in a 2022 SERIES [linked here].

    Recall of a church? WHY do that? SO WHAT IF WE preach what WE want? Pictured Medieval church bell tower during sundown in valley
    Evangelical Reconstruction

    SEARCH TalkofJESUS.com by topic for ‘Doctrine

    Do you really believe christianity-lite? Doctrine for a christ-less Common Era christianity-lite typically erases the lines where Scripture and doctrine holding to what is written.
    topical ‘christianity’

    We have explored contemporary issues of doctrine as well.


    Why to atheists try so hard to deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

    apologia not actually an ‘apology’

    It seems in the Common Era of NO ABSOLUTES and arguments of ANTI-this’ and ANTI-that’s I had best DEFINE what I mean to apologize to BOTH

    + disagreeing ‘christians

    • and semi-committed A-theists – [mortals AGAINST god AND unequivocally opposed to JESUS Christ].

    WHY this SERIES?

    I could share many reasons in this Common Era of 2024 WHY I am revisiting ‘doctrine’ but #1:

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

    2 Timothy 4:3-4 Legacy Standard Bible

    Apologetic for a Common Era approach to Biblical Doctrine

    From Before Christ to Before the Common Era

    In common Greek, apologia refers to the speech that an accused person delivered in court, rejecting the charges filed against him or her. The apologists of the second century chose this term because they wanted to show that the charges filed against Christians were unjustified and that the truths of their faith could be described and defended. An apologia was dedicated to the Roman emperor, who certainly never read it. [Max L. Stackhouse, “Apologia,” 1988]

    https://www.etymonline.com/word/apologia

    The A.D. Second Century CHRISTIAN apologist to whom the article refers is Justin Martyr.

    In addition to arguing against the persecution of individuals solely for being Christian, Justin also provides the Emperor with a defense of the philosophy of Christianity and a detailed explanation of contemporary Christian practices and rituals.

    The First Apology is dated to between AD 155–157

    The theologian Robert Grant has claimed that this Apology was made in response to the Martyrdom of Polycarp ~ in the year of our Lord 155.

    source & Christian History Polycarp

    Do you REALLY believe? Is DOCTRINE of the Bible a line in the sand for you? OR has DOCTRINE of the COMMON ERA become a blurred line in the sand of 21st century CE?
    2024 of the COMMON ERA DOCTRINE

    YOUR ‘What?‘ Questions of the Common Era

    From an earlier post.

    WHEN did the Common Era Begin?

    Was there an unexpected BIG BANG that exploded TRUTH into truths?

    Have centuries of history defined by the word of Almighty GOD fallen into a bottomless black hole of godless futility?

    Does a blurred timeline of History not continue to point toward Christ Jesus born into this common world of sin?

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com
    updated 2024 of the Common Era

    Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel


    Talk of JESUS .com

    NEXT: DOCTRINES of the Common Era: 

    God
    Scripture
    JESUS CHRIST
    --------------------
    FOLLOWED BY more 2024 C.E. examinations of KEY Doctrines
  • 52 Topics for YOUR One-Sentence Question

    52 Topics for YOUR One-Sentence Question

    52 Topics for TalkofJESUS.com QUESTIONS

    * The following is a RE-POST of TOPICS of DOCTRINE from last year. Please e-mail ANY QUESTION or ask one as a COMMENT on ANY POST. 
    Your NAME will NOT be published & COMMENTS are either posted as "anonymous" OR kept private.- RH 

    Need ideas? Let’s try this again.

    Fridays: YOUR One-Sentence Question on TalkofJESUS.com

    IF you had 52 Topics to choose from you could think of just ONE Question to ask, right?

    • TalkofJESUS.com will PUBLISH user questions on FRIDAY’s but not all 52 weeks of 2023.

      Choose one Topic OR ask your own One-Sentence Question on ANY Topic.


    * DEADLINE for FRIDAY One-Sentence Questions

    Thursday NOON, Eastern Time

    So Hurry and COMMENT now with your interesting one-sentence QUESTION from just one of the 52 Topics Below:

    • AD 2023

    Send your QUESTION ANY Common Era day of 2024 C.E.

    1. Atheist
    2. Baptism
    3. Buddhism
    4. Catholic, Protestant
    5. Creation
    6. Daoism
    7. Death
    8. Deist
    9. Demons
    10. Doctrine
    11. Eternity
    12. Evangelical [politics]
    13. Faith
    14. God
    15. God, Father
    16. God, NT
    17. God, OT
    18. Government, [religion, philosophy]
    19. Grace
    20. Heaven
    21. Hell
    22. Heresy – see written quotes – RH
    23. Holy Spirit
    24. Islam / Muhammed
    25. Jehovah Witness
    26. Jesus, Christ
    27. Jesus, King
    28. Jesus, Lord
    29. Jesus, Son,
    30. Judgment
    31. Justification
    32. Man
    33. Miracles
    34. Morality
    35. Mormon
    36. Orthodox, religion, philosophy
    37. Prophet
    38. Propitiation
    39. Punishment
    40. Purgatory
    41. Reconciliation
    42. Redemption
    43. Revelation (of God)
    44. Saints {capital S]
    45. Salvation
    46. Sanctification
    47. Satan, Devil,
    48. Scripture (infallibility)
    49. Sin
    50. Trinity
    51. Truth
    52. Woman

    52 Topics for One-Sentence Questions
    52 Topics

    * 2023 Publishing Timeline 

    1. READER submits a One-Sentence QUESTION via Comment or email to:
    2. 2023 actual dates [Fridays] TBD based on READER ENGAGEMENT
    3. TOPIC LIST [BELOW] is for any week with NO READER QUESTION.

    2023 Calendar release DATES – Friday evenings

    DATETOPICAUTHOR
    1/6/23AtonementSIMPLY PUT – Barry Cooper
    1/13/23Holy SpiritRenewing your mind – Sinclair Ferguson
    1/20/23
    1/27/23
    USER Choice from
    52 Topics
    YOU?

    LINK to TalkofJESUS.com/questions/

    Talk of JESUS .com

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    Leave a Reply in the COMMENT * BOX below.

  • Grace for the Everyday Sinner in 2024 C.E.

    Grace for the Everyday Sinner in 2024 C.E.

    • Should grace be desired for more than simply acknowledgement of our blessings on occasion?
    • Is the Biblical concept of ‘grace’ the same today as God’s GRACE in the New and Old Testaments?

    What is grace?

    We associate it with good things as in praying before eating and receiving mercy for those things we ought not to have done.

    Paul frequently opens his letters to various churches with grace, peace and other gentle words of greeting. The Apostle then encourages believers in a spirit of grace given to all by God.

    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    First Letter of Paul *[and Sosthenes]
    to the church at Corinth 1:3 – LSB
    *Sosthenes = "saviour of his nation" - a Jew at Corinth who was seized and beaten in the presence of Gallio
    Acts 18:17
    And they all took hold of Sosthenes the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

    Gospel Grace

    • Grace appears over 100 times in the Bible
    • most frequently used in the New Testament.

    The Greek word used by the Gospel writers and Apostles is χάρις pronounced: khar’-ece.

    grace

    • that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

    A brief look at varied New Testament use of grace, favor and graciousness reveals a much deeper and satisfying application of grace through Christ.

    For of His fullness we have all received, and grace G5485 upon grace G5485.

    Gospel of John 1:16 Legacy Standard Bible

    Old Testament Grace

    God’s grace before its fullness in Christ was proclaimed to the world

    The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament also demonstrates God’s grace in action and in word. In Hebrew:

    ḥēn חֵן

    Translated in English as ‘grace‘ 38x and also as: favour (26x), gracious (2x), pleasant (1x), precious

    But Noah found favor H2580 in the eyes of Yahweh.

    Genesis 6:8

    The favor and blessings of grace extend not only between the Lord God and man but also between the mortal flesh and blood of individual souls blessing one another.


    Perhaps no blessing of grace is any better known than a benediction of parting the LORD spoke to Moses.

    “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

    יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ ס

    יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ ס

    יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלֹום׃ ס

    בְּמִדְבַּר (Numbers) 6 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)


    The LORD bless you and keep you;
    the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
    the LORD lift up his countenance [or face] upon you and give you peace.

    “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”


    Blessing between the LORD and Israel from Numbers 6:24-26,27

    Gracious people chosen for God’s grace

    And of course most everyone desires at times to receive at least a portion of joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, favour, grace, charm, elegance and acceptance.


    Who receives grace?

    Is God’s grace all-inclusive or exclusive?

    Let’s take a brief look.


    The Example of Noah

    Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And Yahweh regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

    But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.

    Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

    Genesis 6:5-6,8,13

    Abraham’s Grace though Faith

    And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Then he blessed him and said,

    “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

    Genesis 14:18-20a

    Now it happened that when Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him,

    “I am God Almighty;
    Walk before Me and be blameless, so that I may confirm My covenant between Me and you,
    And that I may multiply you exceedingly.”

    Genesis 17:1-2

    Then Abram fell on his face, and God spoke with him…


    Grace and Mercy

    25:17  וְעָשִׂיתָ כַפֹּרֶת זָהָב

    “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold…


    Grace is related to but NOT equal to mercy.

    Mercy is a transaction granted by a greater one to a lesser recipient.

    Grace is a part in a transaction by which supplication (or plea) may have been made from one to another. At times they are even equals — but often not.

    In fact God or a king or any human authority may grant grace without you even asking.

    תְּחִנָּה

    supplication,

    supplication for favour

    • to man or
    • to God

    “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplication,

    so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced;

    and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

    Zechariah 12:10 LSB

    “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.

    from Zechariah 13:1 –  approximately 480 B.C. 

    MORE about GRACE in every age NEXT TIME when we will ask:
    "WHO NEEDS GRACE?" 
    
    (You've probably guessed the answer already.)

    For from His fullness, we have all received and grace upon grace.

    Gospel of John 1:16 – Berean Literal Bible

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