In reply to:
Not everyone wants to go back and rescue the friends who are as you say, 'chained' and it is probably wise to stay out and get into the Scriptures. I have not always found that it is wise to take the errors and correct them, for one will find that most errors are compounded on others and the whole batch is 'leaven'. Jesus said, 'BEWARE' So I guess one might do a Luther and with hammer and nail bang it on the door, or just send a letter. Then leave and do not go back.
Going back to "rescue" friends from our old churches is almost never a good idea - especially if their church is a true Christian church, albeit errant in doctrine. People will leave such churches on their own when the time is right, just as you and countless others have done.
It's hard to convince P/C folk that these things really matter. I went to my former pastor on many an occasion to ask about this or that doctrine of Scripture, and every time he would rebuke me with words like this:
"Oh, doctrine doctrine doctrine! Can't you just love the Lord? You are too concerned with matters of theology. It isn't all black and white and laid out in perfect order for us to understand. Put your Bible away for awhile and learn to just love the Lord."The study of theology flows from the love of God. It is the law of God that tells us
how to love Him. The law of God is an elucidation of the demands of love. The one who loves Him is the one who keeps His commandments (John 14:21), not the one who loudly proclaims his feelings of fondness while ignoring the Lord's written will. One cannot love God without learning of Him, becoming His disciple, studying to show himself approved, and learning the Lord's will in order to do it.
To the question, "Can't you just love the Lord" we must answer, "it is my love for Him that drives me to learn of Him - I must know what pleases Him, what attributes to praise, what deeds to extol, what to thank Him for, what He desires from me, etc. I cannot truly love my Lord without doctrine!"
Those even in errant churches who truly love Him will discover the same thing, and will find doctrine in their own personal study, in books, etc on their own. Their doctrinal discovery should drive them to confront errors that magnify man and belittle God, and they will find themselves - as you and I have - seeking a church grounded in the Scriptures, rightly interpreted.
While that search is still underway, keep the Highway in mind as a safe place to turn to for support. And remember too, there is
much more to the Highway than just these message boards! The library here is vast and checkout is free.
-Robin
