The Italian Memorandum

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way”

(Proverbs 19:2, NIV)

The apostle Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus, himself, said, while on earth-“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one…” (John 17:20).

1 Corinthians 1:10 and John 17:20 are just some of the New Testament exhortations to base unity upon the name of Christ and the apostolic word. This admonition, however, has been set aside by a celebration of doctrinal diversity. But, one might ask, what’s wrong with doctrinal diversity? After all, we celebrate diversity within college circles and Olympic venues from London to Beijing. The main problem with doctrinal diversity is that it is not built upon a base of approved biblical knowledge. Paul uses this same critique in Romans 10:2, “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” To base one’s religion upon zeal without knowledge has long been wrong (Proverbs 19:2; Hosea 4:1,6; 1 Timothy 6:20).

Doctrinal diversity should definitely not be celebrated nor commended. Celebration should be based upon zeal with knowledge.

-Robert M. Housby

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned…

knowing from whom you have learned it”

(2 Timothy 3:14)

The letters of Paul to Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy) contain the rationale for why churches and individuals today should discover, re-discover, and/or maintain the Christian faith.

1. Paul’s documents are backed up by his apostleship (1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1); and his apostleship is based upon the “will of God” (2 Tim. 1:11-12). Paul’s writings are inspired scripture (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

2. Different doctrines are discouraged (1 Tim. 1:3); and are contrary to “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). The positive command, here, is to “Follow the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13).

3. Doctrinal deviations were predicted (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

While many modern Christian churches (and individuals) teach that there is no need to insist upon sound doctrine, conversely, the restoration movement takes seriously Paul’s concluding directives to avoid doctrinal contradictions and false knowledge which results in a swerving from the faith (1 Tim. 6:20-21).

-Robert M. Housby

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song had ended—
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying,
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying—

There’s but one place to go and that is to God
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side—
And together we stand at life’s crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it’s only a bend—

For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best—
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load,
Your work is not finished or ended,
You’ve just come to a bend in the road

– Helen Steiner Rice

This poetry contains the Christian doctrine of perseverance and hope even in the face of perceived adversity. God is the difference between humanistic optimism, and optimism based upon Romans 8:22-28. Let God determine the ends and the bends.

– Robert M. Housby

“Blow a trumpet in Zion: sound an alarm on my holy mountain!”

(Joel 2:1)

NEW 2005 SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES!

EXPOSING MAJOR FALSE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES:

BY EXALTING THE WORD OF GOD OVER HUMAN CREEDS

______________________________________

“WHY IS THIS SERIES NEEDED TODAY?”

1. False teachers and false doctrines are in the world today
(Matt. 7:15; 24:11; 2 Cor. 11:12-15, 26; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1).

2. God’s people are to hate “every false way” that so-called religious leaders are advocating (Ps. 119:104, 128; Jer. 23:16, 28, 33-36).

3. The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth”
(1 Tim. 3:15).

To assume that, “One religion is as good as any other,” or that, “One church is as good as any other,” is to buy into religious pluralism (see Col. 1:23). Neither the gospel, nor the church, is doctrinally pluralistic (Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 4:4-6).

– Robert M. Housby

“…And call no man your father on the earth: for
one is your Father, even he who is in heaven”

(Matthew 23:9-11)

The apostle Paul said, “…And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). The expression, “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” is equivalent to Jesus’ personal authorization, approval, and acceptance of that which is done in his name (Compare Matt. 18:5,20). When it comes to evaluating the practice of religious titles, such as: “Father,” “Reverend,” “Cardinal,” “Pope,” etc., two important questions deserve answers:

1. Are “Religious Titles” Authorized in Scripture? No. Anyone who answers in the affirmative will be hard pressed to produce any such authorization. That is why you never read in the Bible of: “Father John,” or “The Reverend Paul,” etc. The only references coming close to this notion of religious titles appear in the humble sense of “servant,” “brethren,” etc. And, of course, the original apostles and prophets appear within the context of their first-century roles–fulfilled and final (Eph. 2:10; Acts 1:21,22; Rev. 21:14; 2:2; 18:20).

2. Are “Religious Titles” Ever Discouraged in Scripture? Yes. Jesus spoke ever so plainly against religious leaders who broke the servant model of church leadership (Matthew 23:8-12). The Bible lifts up the Fatherhood of God (2 Corinthians 6:18); while condemning any religious rivals (Exodus 34:14). The Bible uses the term “reverend” only once (Psalm 111:9), and
that in reference to God himself. In the light of such evidence, who can legitimately, scripturally, and morally continue to call human beings with titles reserved for God himself? “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15; Matt. 12:36,37).

Religious titles not authorized in Scripture should be avoided, if not condemned.

–Robert M. Housby