Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Now, back on topic.
I'm not sure that there is such an important need to identify spiritual authority in the way that it has been labeled by Nee and Lee. And even if we back down from that, are we too focused on creating a layer of separation from God when we discuss it in this manner? There is a practical element to elders, deacons, teachers, etc. But when we start to label it as "spiritual authority" are we adding terminology that leads us away from our responsibility? Are we ignoring our charge? Are we trying to second-guess others? (Not suggesting that we take just anything. We surely should be concerned when we see "teachers" who don't stack-up.)
Just a question.
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Good evening brother,
I think we do need to define spiritual authority - but I didn't post this question in order to wrestle everyone here into an agreement on who has it and who doesn't; but rather to remind us all that we do need to exercise discernment for ourselves in order that we "Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace;" Hebrews 13:9a
How do we exercise discernment? I think a good place to start is exactly where the Bereans started - by searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so.
LSM doesn't teach people to get in the Word - not exactly - they ask us to read the "Interpreted Word" - get into the footnotes; and that is unhealthy; because it comes with a premise: The premise is that the footnotes are as inerrant as God's Word itself... which of course means the author of those footnotes was infallible. We need to read the Pure Unadulterated Word of God... and to be certain we interpret rightly.
Read passages in context, don't read part of a verse and then run off to apply what you've read... read the Chapter the verse is in, and if you think the Lord has clearly identified a principle, search for confirmation. I think Dr. Charles Stanley once said that you should never identify a Biblical principle with a single quote - try to find three, two in the New Testament and at least one in the Old Testament.... I think that's a healthy practice....
...Not that I'm always faithful to follow this practice, but I am learning, growing, and by the Grace of God, will learn to be more faithful...