truth

Polemics

Polemics

There are many Christians today who imagine that it is unloving and un-Christian to engage in polemics. Polemics are theological warfare, the practice of opposing, exposing and refuting false teaching.

There are other who imagine that heretics and heresies no longer exist. Heretics, false brethren, false teachers, deceivers and false gospels are only theoretical. This would mean that after centuries of struggle with false doctrine the church can relax. No new threats are on the horizon. The warnings of apostasy can be safely ignored. 

Others believe that it is wrong to name false teachers. 

None of these views is biblical. The minister has the calling to oppose lies out of the love of the truth. Below is a survey of the New Testament. Other passages could be added. 

Did Paul and James Disagree on Justification?

Did Paul and James Disagree on Justification?

Do James and Paul contradict one another on the subject of justification? Paul writes, “We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). God justifies the believing sinner on the basis of “the righteousness of God without the law” (Rom. 3:21). In Galatians he is equally emphatic: “A man is not justified by the works of the law … by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal. 2:16). Moreover, Paul proves the doctrine of justification by appealing to the example of Abraham: “if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God” (Rom. 4:2). About Abraham Paul writes, “but to him that worketh not but believeth …” (Rom. 4:5) and points out that Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised! (Rom. 4:10).

What About My Good Works?

What About My Good Works?

Many people believe that God has a balance or a set of scales in heaven. Into one side, He places our bad works; and into the other side, He places our evil works. If our good works outweigh our evil works, we will go to heaven. If our evil works outweigh our good works, we will not go to heaven, at least not immediately.
But that is not what the Bible, which is God's Word, teaches.

What is a good work according to the Bible?

No Such Thing As The Perfect Church ...

No Such Thing As The Perfect Church ...

"But there is no such thing as a perfect  church!"

Let's face it, churches in Europe, and in Ireland in particular are very weak. Many of them are false. Many of them teach false doctrine. Many of them teach confusing mixtures of doctrine. Many of them teach no doctrine at all. In many of them the sacraments are corrupted, and there has been no church discipline for generations.

Few deny this charge who look objectively and dispassionately at the situation.