Obey Them that Rule???

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by ILG

Okay, what if he is teaching that extrabiblical stuff is biblical and it is really harming the person and they are very confused? What do you do then?

It's hard to make specific statements, because as CS said, some of this is very subjective, BUT at some point there has to be a "deal-breaker", in which I will not subject myself or my family to false doctrine.

That's why we have to search the scriptures ourselves. It's a delicate balance between being accountable to both God and men.

Furthermore, it should be determined whether a man is teaching that which is extrabiblical as biblical as a means of manipulation, OR if he is teaching what is extrabiblical as biblical because that is what he truly believes. The difference is only important, because it points to the character and conscience of the minister...not because the doctrine being taught is really different.

I have known ministers from both categories. However, most of the ministers I know do not teach the extrabiblical as anything more than a matter of obedience. I have rarely met those who teach something as biblical simply as a tool of manipulation. Of those ministers that I know, I can think of only one who I believe to be guilty of such. (a couple of others I suspect, but can't really say for certain.) The rest either sincerely believe what they are teaching to be biblical or they teach it as preference and obedience.

As far as what the person should do...I firmly believe that burying your nose in God's Word and spending a lot of time in prayer and fasting will lift any fog that has surrounded you. When there's confusion, we must seek God, because He is not the author of confusion.