|
 "No
one is perfect!" It is an old refrain, offered as sop for
everything from a typographical error to a counterfeit currency
operation. And somewhere in between, writers are careless
thinkers, or show a Freudian slip in their theology. I know full
well that man has separated himself from God, and must he reconciled
to God (2 Cor. 5:19). Then why would I write (V.14, N.3,
p.5) "God is reconciled to imperfect man...”? I caught it
two months after publication.
And
I have before me another's paper with an exegesis of Rom. 9:
which says, "God alone is sovereign in the universe,
(9:10-21). His is the right to choose from among fleshly Israel,
those who would be saved. This is demonstrated by His choice
between Jacob and Esau (9:9-13)." The same issue has an
article, "No, I Haven't 'Gone Calvinist"' and I don't
think he has. But that concept of Rom. 9: is rich grist for
Calvin. The choice of Jacob over Esau was with reference to
physical Israel and lineage — not with reference to
being saved or lost. Surely this was another know-better
"slip."
Then
there are statements made that show failure or an unwillingness
to recognize an issue. A different writer, in a different paper,
says, "Since each congregation is autonomous, we can choose
to cooperate or not, and be just as Biblical either way."
| |
("Cooperate" is here used in a context that defines it as pooling funds with other
churches in a sponsoring church project.) We are free agents,
and can choose to serve God or reject Him, for a time. But
autonomy as a principle of church polity is limited to matters
undetermined by divine rule. One church may choose to
"break bread" on the Lord's Day morning, and another
in the afternoon of that day; but neither can evoke their
"autonomy" to change the day established by divine
precedent. This statement assumes the thing to be proven, i.e.,
that churches may pool funds and function as a team under the
oversight of one group of elders (in the project matter) without
giving up "autonomy" in that matter. But then,
"No one is perfect!" It's "our song."
It
is being sung as though we were not responsible for our conduct
and teaching. As though we need not recognize our errors, seek
to correct them and pray God for forgiveness. As if "no one
is perfect" is license to go our own error-filled way and
expect God to accept whatever we choose to give Him. Some offer
man's imperfections as a substitute for "prove all things,
hold fast that which is good" (1 Thes. 5:21). Instead, it
is reason to study harder and pray fervently.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
