Neo-Evangelicalism Part 2

I said in the first part of this study that in this second part I would address Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Now some might argue that this verse opposes separation because it says to mark those who cause divisions but clearly it is not the division itself Paul is talking about here. To think that you would have to completely ignore the phrase “avoid them”. This verse instructs us that unity is never to come at the expense of doctrine.
This brings me to my biggest beef with the ecumenical movement, the attack on doctrine. I hear it everywhere. Nicole Nordeman says in one of her songs “put away the doctrine, love a little more, cause everybody is broken.” While I love some of her music and think she is right on track in “Brave” where she attacks the middle ground, I have to take issue with this line. What part of the Bible are we to “put away”? 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
If we want to take a closer look at the importance of this doctrine people are so eager to push aside one of the best books to study are 1st and 2nd Timothy, so that is where we will go right now.

1Timothy 6:3-5 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. "

Notice, “from such withdraw thyself” and “from such turn away” Some may say this is talking about unbelievers but I really don’t think so. Notice “lovers of pleasure MORE THAN lovers of God” not instead of a love for God, and “having a form of godliness, but DENYING THE POWER THEREOF” could this be the denial of the power of God to create the world in six literal days? I don’t know that but I do know doctrine is essential to the Christian life. If not then why the rest of the book? Why doesn’t the Bible stop at the gospel?

1 Timothy 4:6 “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
This doesn’t mean this is what saves us, only grace saves us, it means that setting an example “in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12) could bring them that hear us into the grace of God also.

1 Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” To paraphrase a bit, GET OFF OF THE BREAST! Isaiah 28:9 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” If you are going to continue to cling to the gospels only, you are never going to get to the meat. Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;”
Case in point, if we continue to deny ourselves meat in order to align ourselves with people who refuse to accept EVERY Word of God we are not doing His service. We are not using His way to bring people to Christ. It is prideful to think that our way would surpass the way of God Almighty.

Titus 1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”