Comments on: Lots of People in Hell Have Perfect Doctrine

By: JR Rozko

JR Rozko — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:42:01 +0000

Hi Michael, thanks for taking the time to comment. I think I can appreciate where you are coming from, but I think it is a pretty misguided perspective. If we are going to proof-text, there are plenty of verses I could point to that seem to make my points as well. James 2:19 comes to mind – the idea that right belief is a characteristic of both believers as well as demons as well as Matthew 7:21 – the notion that it is those who “do” God’s will and not merely believe rightly who stand in the favor of God.

Interesting translation of 2 John 1:9. I wonder who gets to determine what exactly the “doctrine of Christ” is since he didn’t leave us doctrine per se, but a way of life? I think the translation which reads, “continue in the teaching of Christ,” is probably a much more helpful rendering of the author’s intent there.

I am sure we could talk past each other about Scripture all day though. Do you have any helpful thoughts on the point of the post itself? Are you saying that if a church community was able to cultivate an environment where the above description fits that it would still make a lot of sense to worry about whether or not everyone was on the same doctrinal page?

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:14:01 +0000

There is no one in hell with perfect doctrine. Those in hell have everlasting confusion. By the way Jude says for the faithful in Christ Jesus to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, and doctrine does matter. Have you not read what the apostle John wrote in his second epistle in verse nine Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Therefore the only perfect doctrine is the doctrine of Christ so if a man has that doctrine he is righteous.

By: Ryan Conrad

Ryan Conrad — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:14:53 +0000

I really liked your thoughts JR, specifically about killing something by defining it. I wrestle a bit about what you said Deb with regards to denominations. There are many things God “did not intend” and I know you didn’t say this, the author did… part of me (maybe like you JR) does wrestle with the idea of correct doctrine (Paul talks about it) and what do we do with passages about the narrow gate…a popular answer to this is just worry about yourself and loving other, and I agree…but I think there are some Churches that call themselves Christian Churches that are severely (maybe even beyond the narrow gate) believing in a false doctrine other than the way of Jesus…I’m just chatting, thoughts coming from the top of my head…thanks for the post

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:28:39 +0000

Couldn't agree more. I once heard one of my favorite authors (Madeleine L'Engle) speaking and she made the comment that she didn't think that "God ever intended for denominations." I think that segregation of Christians is part of the whole mindset you're talking about – the "nit-picking" of doctrine is one of the fastest ways to ostracize others and basically do the opposite of what Christ calls us to.

I believe God certainly loves for us to discuss and carefully think through things like baptism (to use your example) – after all, He could have made absolute statements about every last piece of doctrine to leave no room for misinterpretation if He had wanted to (e.g. "No one comes to the Father but through me"), but I think it's sad when we rather let those things divide us as Christians instead of coming together on the important topics of salvation, love, community, service, and knowing our awesome God.