Valerie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:53 am
Do Mennonites argue over "doctrinal" issues?
Interpretations?
OR
Is it a case where as modern inventions have come out through the years that they have to determine whether their church will allow or disallow them? I know that's been the.challenges for the Amish.
I believe scripture encourages discussion in seeking out truths but there is a right and wrong way to go about it. Some scriptures to consider -
Elders must be “temperate, self-controlled… not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome….” (1 Tim. 3:2-3)
Deacon’s wife/deaconness must not be “malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything” (1 Tim. 3:11).
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father” (1 Tim. 5:1).
Younger widows sometimes “get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to” (1 Tim. 5:13).
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain” (1 Tim. 6:3-5).
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20-21).
“Keep reminding them of these things [God’s faithfulness in the gospel]. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen” (2 Tim. 2:14).
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.” (2 Tim. 2:16-17)
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…” (2 Tim. 2:23-25).
“Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.” (Titus 2:3)
“In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7b-8).
“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them…” (Titus 2:9).
“Remind the people… to slander no one….” (Titus 3:1, 2).
“Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11)
“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Gal. 5:15).
To your first question, in my experiences in care groups in the MB church, we did discuss doctrinal issues and interpretations at times and often our pastor presented various views on a text in his Sunday messages. He would end with the view he had settled on and why. But in these care groups a good Spirit guided leader will know how to keep areas of dispute under control. Sometimes it becomes a matter of taking the subject from a group setting to a private one on one setting with the leader.
I remember getting into a common debate in a care group regarding Romans 2 text when the issue came up regarding the millions yet who have not heard the Gospel as we know it and they be sent to hell. Can one be saved who has never heard the Gospel ? (not an issue for a Calvinist
). After considering possibilities the leader moved on and got us back on the study lesson. Was this the right approach he took ? Perhaps if he was being lead by the Spirit who knows the best time and place for this to take place. Thoughts ?
