- “For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” Paul shares that one reason why the ability to teach sound doctrine is important is because everyone is trying to teach other people how to live and what to believe. Without authoritative instruction there will be confusion, deception, rebellion and empty religion. Do you think this is true in these modern times?
Yes and the Christian faith is no longer monolithic, with a myriad of people claiming authority. Certainly this has diluted the faith but on the other hand the possibility of abuse of authority is lessened. The emphasis these days is on personal conviction but people are too lazy to build solid foundations for personal convictions.
- “One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.” Is it possible to force everybody to listen to you? How can you achieve this—your theological degree, intimidation, superior intellect or reputation, character and sound doctrine?
These days? No. If people don’t like what they hear they vote with their feet or they just tune you off. On the other hand people are so starved for authority and the hope and clarity it gives that they submit themselves to be exploited.
You do what you can within the relationships you have, the arguments you can muster and the example you show. You demonstrate integrity. The best credentials are your personal reputation. There are also formal credentials though truth be told I think much of these credentials perpetuate the thoughts of the teachers rather than personal understanding and conviction. And there are those who command by dint of charisma and dictatorship.
- “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” In the end people will be shaped by what is in their minds and hearts, in other words, what they choose. How can we overcome their (and our) sinful nature and inclinations?
We submit ourselves to the authority of the Word.