TSW Testimony:
Christianity
needs proper history!
“I don’t need to understand the history of my Christian
faith. Just give me a Bible to read. I’ll get it all figured out.” REALLY?
The problem
with the Roman Catholic Church is that it believes that the “church” creates
the Word rather than
understanding that it is the Word that creates the Christian Church. If you put
the church above the Word then the
leaders of the church may dictate to - and even change the Word.
The Christian Church
does not produce the doctrines of Christianity; the perfect Word of God creates
the doctrines and practices of the true church.
In the Roman
church you have doctrines which contradict the Bible. If you have studied here
at “The Shepherds Way” &
“Nugget of Truth” you have learned about
the importance of understanding proper Christian History and how it affects
biblical interpretation. For instance, many Christians are unaware that after
the last apostle died the Christian church developed into two main schools of
thought, the Alexandrian school &
the Antiochene school.
The earliest
school of theology being the Antiochene school which was founded by Apostle
Peter, Paul and Barnabas. We here at “The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget of
Truth” hold to the original and earliest Christian teachings which have their
roots in Antioch.
Though the
Alexandrian school was recognized as the first “Christian Learning School”, it
was not as old as the Antiochene Church which began to take the Alexandrian
school on regarding Alexandrian heretical doctrines. The Antiochene school
became legitimately known as a “Christian School” after its prolonged battle
with the Alexandrian school.
The
Antiochene theology thus predates Alexandrian theology. Antioch became
recognized as the antithetical of Alexandrian theology because of open
theological debates between the two.
Understanding
what the original Greek words meant to the Apostles of that time, understanding
the culture, language and what their world
perspective was helps us to grasp a better interpretation of biblical
doctrine.
The seventh
bishop of Antioch used the Greek word for “trinity” when explaining the Godhead
(Deity). This shows that long before the heretic Arius (who came some 250 plus
years later), the early apostolic church understood and accepted the Trinity.
The early writings also prove that they held to a pre-millennial eschatological view and that they understood the dual
nature of Christ.
The
Antiochene Christian Church existed long before the two major and first
powerful denominations which are the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox
Churches. We find the true teachings along with the earliest struggles of the
church between the apostolic
period (first 100 years of the church) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). We here at TSW
(The Shepherds Way) teach the history of the first 451 years of the Christian
Church making us true “non-denominationalists”.
Sound Antiochene Rules
It is
extremely important to follow proper interpretation rules. We follow the Seven Ancient Antiochene Rules of Interpretation which could
be outlined as follows:
1-Pray (Always ask God to show you what He
would have you know before study)
2-Consider the Context (This means
understanding the near & far context, context controls the meaning of the
text)
3-Understand Words (This means the
language you are using and the Greek & Hebrew words)
4-Understanding Grammer (Understanding
similes, metaphors, allegories and figures of speech – hyperboles)
5-Grasping the Authors Intention (Do not
read your personal meaning into the text, let the authors meaning stand)
6-Studying the Background (Understanding
the contemporary political, language, art, scientific understandings and other
things going on during the time the letter was written.)
7-Interprepting Scripture with Scripture
(Letting the Bible interpret itself…so to
speak. Understanding typology.)
Proper
Christian living comes through proper Christian study. It is the goal of the true Christian
to develop the “Mind of Christ”. The true Christian has been given the gift of
the Holy Spirit, the Divine Spiritual
Implant. This special helper begins to lead, guide, direct and protect the
Christian student into Christian Maturity.
Our attitude
toward the Scriptures (the Christian Bible) governs our conceptions and
conclusions. We hold to Sola Scriptura (the Bible Alone).
Our teachings do not allow for additions or subtractions from God’s word. All
of our biblical doctrine must be found in Scripture and taught from
Scripture. Having stated that, we also
recognize the importance of understanding other things such as the Seven Rules
of Biblical Interpretation which help substantiate additional facts.
Our most
important evidence is transformed human lives. Those who have studied here and become regenerated
children of God are the bright lights
of this planet. True Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life. True
Christianity is a healthy relationship with God, Divine Intelligence.
I hope that
these thoughts help you gain a deeper respect of God, His Word and the
importance of properly understanding it all. May God continue to richly bless
you with proper doctrine and proper living.
Always in the presence of my Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Eric William King (August 30th 2019)
All rights reserved. Permission has been given to share this article.
Ancient Antioch & Christianity
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