Why Some Question the Apostolic Doctrine

[Scott Hutchinson]

Let me say this also a good person and even a Spirit filled person can be in error, but this doesn't mean they are bad people ,they just may be walking in tradtion or not have much insight as they need to in certain areas.
Asking questions about biblical things doesn't mean one is underminding the pulpit, since we are created in God's image we have been given the ability to think and reason.

[NightOwl]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Let me say this also a good person and even a Spirit filled person can be in error, but this doesn't mean they are bad people ,they just may be walking in tradtion or not have much insight as they need to in certain areas.
Asking questions about biblical things doesn't mean one is underminding the pulpit, since we are created in God's image we have been given the ability to think and reason.

yea
Some though make it hard on one that questions things, like you should already know it, or what have you got into if you express that you are questioning things, especially if you atart questioning the basic Apostolic teachings

[Scott Hutchinson]

If I was a pastor I would want saints who question things, I would want a congregation that would study and could think for themselves.

[stmatthew]

I have, over the course of my short life, had many a reason to turn and go "another way". I have had Pastors who openly lied, and one that ran the work my late father spent 18 years building down to his family and himself. I have been lied on and been hurt many times. I had a Pastor tell me that because I was going to keep my kids out of the church school the day that they passed out valentine cards very angrily that he would not be able to use me in leadership. I sat for several years after that, and never said a word. I have felt betrayed by leadership that should have been the example of leaders, but walked more in the flesh that my cat.

I have been in an Ultra Con church, and I have been in an Ultra Liberal church. I have ran the gamut of Apostolic Christianity, went beyond its borders, and took a lot of barbs and stabs in the process. IF ANYONE has a RIGHT to QUESTION apostolic doctrine, I am HE that has earned that right, and bare the marks in my heart and spirit.

But let me just say that in all my travels, my relationship was not built or based upon men, but upon Jesus Christ. I may have fallen a few times during the battle, but I always got up. It was, and still is, MY CHOICE. Those that question the apostolic doctrine choose to do so. There is not a devil in hell, or a hurt bad enough for me to want to leave the ONE that first loved me. We always look at the "great falling away" as being something the devil does, but I believe that every person has a choice to either serve the creator, or serve themselves. It all comes down to choice. Choose this day whom you will serve.

[NightOwl]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

If I was a pastor I would want saints who question things, I would want a congregation that would study and could think for themselves.

Thats where I have been lately, Questioning some of the basic teachings, and been looking through His word for answers.

Sometimes its hard when you start questioning things, honestly I dont feel comfortable talking to many about it, so I have just been searching the scripture

[QueenEsther]

Ya know, these threads ALWAYS make me appreciate my church sooooo much more!! We do not cram standards down people's throats - especially new ones, in fact we don't even teach them to them unless they ask and then we will simply tell them our views - how we came to our views and leave it at that, we don't tell them they have to change - they can do as they please. We had a guy who wore HUGE earrings for about 6 months and then one night he called my husband and said "I came across some scriptures in the Bible that lead me to believe I shouldn't wear all my jewlry anymore.....he loves his bling bling!! Anyways, we never once pushed that on him in anyway, I believe he did what he felt was right in the eyes of God - he let the HG & the Bible direct him, not a man.

Originally Posted by Michlow

Actually, it does.

If someone tells you that something is absolute Truth, heaven or hell, God's Word, and it in fact turns out to be not the case. It immediately brings into question every other thing they told you was absolute Truth...etc...

This explains a lot!

Mich,

there is always going to be someone who tells you that what the other guy has said is false and they are going to have some interpretation or documentation to support their position. This is why it is important that you get to know Jesus for yourself and allow the Holy Ghost to lead you and guide you into all truth. I just worry that one with such skepticism will have a difficult time even listening to and accepting the guidance of the Holy Ghost. JMHO

Originally Posted by Sherri

I don't know, Prax. I tend to think that Mich's reaction is a pretty typical one. When your whole doctrinal foundation starts to crumble, you have to go back to Scripture for yourself and search out EVERYTHING to find out what is truth.

Sherri,

If this were my reaction to errors among men I assure you that I would be an atheist or at best an agnostic deist. I can find human reasons to question the very existence of God and what Mich is describing is the application of human reasoning to a spiritual experience. I have had my belief in men shaken by THEIR error but my faith in God is not tied to the error or accurateness of men; neither should anyone's faith be so connected.

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Information is good and powerful. The information age is revolutionizing the church. Through the use of forums such as this, one can ask questions and get a variety of opinions.

Before, you basically had one source of opinion and that was your leader or pastor. Your faith was in the hands of one person's opinion.

When one researches a subject thoroughly, sometimes their views may change. Information is a good thing!

Pianoman,

Is the church now stronger or weaker as a result of your assertion above?

Has this glut of information resulted in more unity or more division?

[StillStanding]

When we first find God at an alter, our entire church view is shaped by those that surround us. Any change of heart that we have is still seen through that original church view.

This is kind of like a baby that is born in Iran and grows to hate the USA. Any amount of reasoning with this person is usually to no avail. His world view can't be altered.

When one realizes part of his church view could be in error, he naturally will question the rest of his church view.