Laying It Out Plainly

C.F.W. Walther began a lecture in September, 1885 with this paragraph:

Currently, anyone who insists that pure doctrine is a very important matter is immediately suspected of not having the right Christian spirit.  The very term "pure doctrine" is considered taboo and is outlawed.  Even contemporary theologians who regard themselves to be among the confessional Lutherans usually speak of pure doctrine only in scornful terms, treating it as the embodiment of "dead letter" theology.  If anyone holds fast to pure teaching and attempts to fight against any false doctrine, he is put down as a heartless and unloving fanatic. *

How much more so today.  Pure (i.e., unadulterated) doctrine is scorned by postmodernists because it posits a transcendent and knowable truth, thus inhibiting conversation with those who disagree over faith traditions.  My experience is that more is learned and exchanged among debating parties by making objective truth claims.  They can and will disagree.  So much the better.  Conversations work when a common bond already exists, but when worldviews collide, each must articulately and accurately state his or her position in order to gain ground.

Just recently, David Mason wrote an op-ed in the New York Times entitled "I'm a Mormon, Not a Christian." What a breath of fresh air! Instead of making the case that Mormons and Christians are somehow following the same path, he freely admits the truth.  No hiding behind the doublespeak that they are just another denomination.  I respect that, even though he is completely wrong and will suffer the consequences at the judgement seat of Christ.

Christians are called to do no less.  This is not a day to sit idly by and "make nice" just to get along.  If the Bible is true and God is God, we must stand on that truth.  If they are anything less, we should give up and never darken a church door again.

* Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible, (trans. Christian C. Tiews; St Louis: Concordia, 2010), 393.

Three Cheers for Dogmatism

Bill Muehlenberg has written a good piece entitled "Three Cheers for Dogmatism," extolling the virtue of dogma and sound doctrine in Christianity.  After sharing scripture on the need to pronounce absolute truth, he summarizes them this.

These and other passages make it quite clear: dogmatism is a good thing.  We all should be dogmatic.  That is, all believers should firmly and resolutely hold to sound dogma, and not allow ourselves to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

He then goes on to give quotes from John Stott and G. K. Chesterton to make his point.

As one who is not afraid to correct someone or something leading away from the biblical faith, I applaud those who follow through with Paul's instruction and admonition as given in the post or take up what Jude wrote in his epistle to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3)  In the face of so many promoting meaningless relevance, vacuous conversations, and nebulous unity, let us instead take comfort and strength in Paul's admonition:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  (1 Cor 15:58)

Say It Like You Mean It

This video pokes fun at endemic speech patterns Americans are using in an effort to not sound dogmatic. The sad thing is that we find this among Christians discussing Scripture. I say that if you believe it, say it straight out.


Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.