Which Doctrine Do You Choose? (Do you even have to choose?)

For sake of time, I will not include the verses in their entirety, but I give references so that you can study on your own. And trust me, this is a good practice to get in to. When someone shares their thoughts on the Word of God, you should always verify.

John 17:21 - Our division over doctrines does NOT communicate Jesus correctly. Romans 12:5 – We who are many are supposed to be ONE.

Who is inspiring this post? Two men and their followers.

 

Jacobus Arminius (from late 1500s) and his opponent John Calvin (from early 1500s).

 

Keyword: OPPONENT. Surely Arminius found holes in Calvin’s doctrine and there came his response with a differing doctrine 50 years later. However, let’s point out this was over 500 years ago…and they were about 1470 years after Christ.

 

Ready for my hypothesis?

Both Calvin and Arminius lead people astray.

Let me explain. Hear me out. I may surprise you.

Is this a plan? Perhaps a strategy from our greatest enemy to divide the body of Christ. Create so much division that we are handicapped to reach the world in full capacity.

 

In my eyes, all we do is turn off unbelievers/unsaved with our ‘irreconcilable differences’ over our favorite 'flowers'. Are you a TULIP or a DAISY? Me, I'm a wildflower!!!

 

These old doctrines from C & A have dug deep roots to divide the body of Christ (which is to be ONE).

 

What is an offensive strategy in war? DIVIDE & CONQUER. And unfortunately, so many have fallen for this. Just think of the last time you were having a great conversation with a fellow ‘Christian’ and then the topic of doctrine came up and they said they were Calvinist…what happen to that conversation if you are not a “Calvinist”? It was over and your attitude changed, you became on guard with whatever else came out of their mouth right? Does that even sound Christ-like? No, it doesn’t.

 

 

But why does it happen? It’s NOT biblical…The division comes from our spirit not bearing witness with that doctrine. Divisive, disagreeable doctrines are not of God.

What does the Bible warn us about doctrines of man?

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:14-16

 

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness,your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3

I live by what it says in the Word of God. Refer to Ephesians 4:4-6. Read about ‘ONENESS’. Choosing a man’s doctrine to follow is so unbiblical.  Identifying yourself with a ‘man’s interpretation’ is unbiblical. Read & dwell on 1 Corinthians 3:4-5. It’s right there. “MERE MEN”.

In my eyes, it’s completely unbiblical to even label yourself as anything else than a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ, and even a Christian. Yet people love labels. So then I offer an alternative: Biblican.

I cannot grasp onto either ‘Calvinist’ or ‘Arminian’ doctrines…it’s so unbiblical to do either by what I gather from the verses I’ve sited.  So then, when people corner me on choosing a Biblical stance, I tell them that “I’m Biblican”…and since it’s a new term, my own, they will ask me, “So then what do you believe?” My response: “Whatever the Bible states. Period.”

 How do people miss what Christ says in Revelations 22:18-19?

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

YIKES!!!! See, its right there in the Word? Follow what the spirit of God speaks to you! He will speak clearly the truth, and you will hear Him IF you lay down all your presumptions and all doctrines of man that you have come in agreement with.

Do you recall how the people were addressed in their following after Moses BEFORE Christ?

See Acts 15:1-11.

We don’t’ need to add our interpretation or Calvin’s to our views. It’s bias.

 

 

See the divisiveness? How is this 'the Lord'?

 

It's limited, remember. This disagreement is unnecessary and overcomplicates living sold out to Christ.

 

With all this said, I encourage us all to stop wasting our time and energy debating scripture and just start living out the unadulterated Word of God.

 

·        Let’s get back to the simple and pure devotion to Christ – 2 Corinthians 11:3.

·        Let your life show John 14:6.

·        Let’s live John 15.

·        Let’s Matthew 6:33.
 

By all doing all this, we will find God’s will for us personally!

Side note/Personal Opinion:

I feel that there are holes in each doctrinal prescription. One may have more than the other, some may be smaller or bigger…but still there are holes in each.

Question: Would you rather have a boat with 1 hole or 5 holes in it?

Answer: Neither, right? You will sink in either one.

I cannot accept either doctrinal belief as sufficient or 100% scriptural, so then I don’t choose a side. I ask you to seek the scriptures and see what the Lord reveals to you. Don’t just pick one since it seems to be the thing to do. And by the way, Jesus doesn't say you have to?

DISCLAIMER: I am non-denominational, and I am non-doctrinal. I just want to be biblical. I just want Jesus & His Word. (Psalm 119 & John 1:1-5).