I've been studying the letter of 1 Timothy. I believe that knowing the background of the letters is vital to interpreting them correctly. In this case, a false teaching began spreading through the Aegean churches. This false teaching seems to have had its roots in the teachings of the Judaizers seen in Galatians and Philippians, though this teaching had advanced to a proto-Gnostic stage. These false teachers originated as Judaizers, preaching adherence to Mosaic Law and faith in Christ as equally necessary for salvation. They went a step further, embracing an ascetic ritualism with a zeal for visions of angels, and they had proto-Gnosticizing tendencies in promoting an experience of (a distorted) divine wisdom and knowledge. They also depreciated the physical world and reconsidered the physical resurrection and redemption of not only Christ but also the future resurrection of Christians. They not only denied Christ's resurrection, but they went so far as to deny even his physical incarnation and death. While they had abandoned their teaching on the need for circumcision among Christians, they now forbade marriage, promoted certain food laws, and claimed to impart a special kind of divine knowledge, whose source was, in actuality, demonic. Their vaunted asceticism often produced an arrogance prime for sexual recklessness. One of their heavy interests was in genealogies, the precise meaning of which we can't determine from the text.
This teaching was so saturating the churches that even some of Paul's former co-workers, as well as congregational leaders, were buying into it. Paul found himself faced with a dilemma: his usual method of sending out congregational letters (i.e. the Corinthian letters, the letter to Rome, the letter to the Ephesian church, etc.) would no longer work, because many of the leaders within the congregations were corrupt and would not heed his warning. Probably after much strategizing, he came up with a plan. He visited several of these churches, and he also sent out extremely personal letters to those within the churches whom he knew he could trust to deliver the message (including Timothy and Titus). The letter we have as "1 Timothy" is one such letter that Paul wrote. It is in the light of this false teaching that we must interpret 1 Timothy; i.e., all of Paul's words on the order of things within the church need to be examined under the light of the threat of this false teaching. Why is Paul promoting such an organized, hierarchical approach to church life? Because he knows that when operating correctly, it will serve as a steady defense against the false teaching.
As I've studied this, a question has come to my mind: "What false teachings are prevalent in the church today?" Off of the top of my head I came up with two that I have encountered in the church and even dealt with in my own life. The first is what we call the "health and wealth" gospel; the premise behind this teaching is that when we become Christians, our lives became easy, peachy, and we are showered with all kinds of spiritual gifts. All our dreams come true, the tears are wiped from our eyes, we get new cars and new houses and speedy promotions. This flies in the face of the gospel of serving others, sacrificing oneself, and bearing one's cross. Another false teaching is more prevalent. It is the teaching that one must do good deeds to enter the kingdom of God. It is when our hearts turn to God that we experience salvation (this is faith and repentance); everything we "do" is reflective of our repentance and of our identity in Christ. None of it merits our ownership in God's kingdom. This false view has led many to guilt and shame because of their own humanity, and it has led others to burning themselves out in the pursuit of doing as much good so that they find favor in God's eyes. The truth is, how good (or bad) we "live" the Christian life has no bearing upon our salvation. Salvation is a heart-based issue, not an actions-based one. These are just two such false teachings, and I know there are more. We must stand against this false teaching, as Paul exhorts to the young Timothy: "Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both you and your hearers." (1 Tim 4.16)
This teaching was so saturating the churches that even some of Paul's former co-workers, as well as congregational leaders, were buying into it. Paul found himself faced with a dilemma: his usual method of sending out congregational letters (i.e. the Corinthian letters, the letter to Rome, the letter to the Ephesian church, etc.) would no longer work, because many of the leaders within the congregations were corrupt and would not heed his warning. Probably after much strategizing, he came up with a plan. He visited several of these churches, and he also sent out extremely personal letters to those within the churches whom he knew he could trust to deliver the message (including Timothy and Titus). The letter we have as "1 Timothy" is one such letter that Paul wrote. It is in the light of this false teaching that we must interpret 1 Timothy; i.e., all of Paul's words on the order of things within the church need to be examined under the light of the threat of this false teaching. Why is Paul promoting such an organized, hierarchical approach to church life? Because he knows that when operating correctly, it will serve as a steady defense against the false teaching.
As I've studied this, a question has come to my mind: "What false teachings are prevalent in the church today?" Off of the top of my head I came up with two that I have encountered in the church and even dealt with in my own life. The first is what we call the "health and wealth" gospel; the premise behind this teaching is that when we become Christians, our lives became easy, peachy, and we are showered with all kinds of spiritual gifts. All our dreams come true, the tears are wiped from our eyes, we get new cars and new houses and speedy promotions. This flies in the face of the gospel of serving others, sacrificing oneself, and bearing one's cross. Another false teaching is more prevalent. It is the teaching that one must do good deeds to enter the kingdom of God. It is when our hearts turn to God that we experience salvation (this is faith and repentance); everything we "do" is reflective of our repentance and of our identity in Christ. None of it merits our ownership in God's kingdom. This false view has led many to guilt and shame because of their own humanity, and it has led others to burning themselves out in the pursuit of doing as much good so that they find favor in God's eyes. The truth is, how good (or bad) we "live" the Christian life has no bearing upon our salvation. Salvation is a heart-based issue, not an actions-based one. These are just two such false teachings, and I know there are more. We must stand against this false teaching, as Paul exhorts to the young Timothy: "Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both you and your hearers." (1 Tim 4.16)
1 comment:
The illusion of false teaching begins with the deception and manipulation of a great need to be needed. When that emotional, physical and mental need is met by an important figure in the church (not scriptural doctrine), one falls privy to such illusion. We after all are human and we need to be needed...it's called pride. Once pride is called forth in the spiritual realm under the name of false humility, the spiral begins in leaving Truth and clinging to false teaching. Been there done that.
There are more than 2 areas of false teaching.
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