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Postpretevangelconmergicalorthomillspencovenism
I still don’t know exactly what postmodern means. To me, modern means now. As in contemporary. Postmodern would be the future. I tend to think of everything literally and don’t get most colloquialisms or sayings. I always cringe when people say, “I cut my teeth on…” when they learn something. Or, “I ran into someone at the grocery store.” I hope you said you’re sorry.
It’s tough to keep up with all these labels. I’m pretty sure I’m not postmodern (of the future) based on what people have said. But most of the people who describe postmoderns are angry people and call them pomos. That word sounds similar to “homo” which is a derogatory term that isn’t used much anymore unless you’re Jeremy Shockey.
I know I’m Reformed or reformed. I hate to call myself a Calvinist because I follow Jesus, not Calvin. (1 Cor 1:11-13) But maybe that’s what reformed is. And I’m not sure I’m 100% with the program.
The Internet has been a great learning tool but is also fraught with judgmental opinions and so many terms and labels that everyone has a different definition of that not only is it difficult to keep them straight, it’s difficult not to be judgmental of those who are truly in Christ but different enough that you disagree with them.
I need to develop a mental filter for many of these labels.
At the same time, partly because of listening to John MacArthur (oh no, he’s a dispensationalist [dispie]) I’ve come to realize how important it is to develop sound doctrine.
Make up your mind!
–John MacArthur
But I need to know what’s important and what I can overlook and not let myself be overly influenced by the people who overly discerning. I will call them discernmentalists. I thank God I am not like them. (That was tongue-in-cheek, so to speak. I didn’t actually put my tongue in my cheek. OK I just did so I wouldn’t be lying.)
Titus 2:1-10 NRSV (emphasis added)
But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.
How far does “sound doctrine” go?
Here is a message I would like to listen to when I have the time:
T4G - Ligon Duncan on Sound Doctrine - preview
Link to MP3 file of the full message
(See all messages from T4G at Sovereign Grace Ministries)
What Is Sound Doctrine?
I have been wondering for a while what exactly sound doctrine is comprised of and how far it goes. I suppose this depends on one’s point of reference.
According to Paul in the Pastoral Epistles it looks to be both what conforms to the gospel and right behavior, not just teaching alone.
The quotes below are by Gordon Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. He uses the NIV which is bold in the commentary.
1 Timothy 1:8-11
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Titus 2:1-15
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
I need to remember that sound doctrine should always lead to right behavior and not just stop with teaching.
Beyond this there are creeds, catechisms, systematic theology, etc. which may also be sound doctrine.
Are there different types of sound doctrine?