Wednesday, April 27, 2016

"Doctrine of the Devils" - one of the most misused expressions.

Friends,

Haven't you heard preachers screaming "Universalism is the doctrine of devils", "Preterism is the doctrine of devils" and so on?

Have you ever examined the Biblical context of the expression? Please see for yourself what makes the doctrine of the devils:

1Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and DOCTRINES OF DEVILS;
1Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Tim 4:3 FORBIDDING TO MARRY, and COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

There are only two things specified as the doctrine of the devils:

  • forbidding to marry, and 
  • food restrictions
A theological view that is contrary to that of your favorite preacher or mainstream Christianity does not make it the doctrine of devils.

Judaizers were the ones who held the Doctrine of the Devils.

Many Christians are taught that the allusion here is to the Roman Catholic Church. Though the Catholic clergy and nuns observe celibacy, there is absolutely no restriction in laity getting married. (How else this writer was born of Catholic parents?). While it comes to dietary restrictions, though Catholics do not consume meat during Fridays and lent, they have no restrictions regarding what is Kosher (clean) and what is not.

Judaizers were infiltrators into Christian faith, stealthy teaching them that circumcision is necessary for salvation. Other than Judaizers, who will attempt to teach a Christian that they should not eat certain food stuff?

Marriage restrictions are also from some Jewish sects like Essenes (a sect of Second Temple Judaism) and Therapeutae (a Jewish sect which flourished in places like Alexandria), who discouraged marriage.

I think that we can safely say that the doctrine of devils is the doctrine of Judaizers.


In Christ,
Tomsan Kattackal

No comments:

Post a Comment