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30 contributions to Theology 101
4d â˘Â
Were the Ecumenical Councils a Failure?
I have an interesting thought: did the ecumenical councils fail? Their purpose was to unify the faith, but after the council of Chalcedon ( council #4), there have been a number of Church splits. The Oriental Orthodox, Coptic, Ethiopian Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, just to name a few. This is a failure to maintain the unity, and since the Church fathers couldn't figure out how not to pour gasoline on a bonfire, they never really succeeded in holding onto the fath. That's my thinking on the topic. What's yours?
0 likes ⢠3d
Let me look into this a little more before I give my comments
Aug 27 â˘Â
Welcome! Introduce yourself + share your favorite book of the Bible
Let's get to know each other! You can use this simple format: Hey, I'm from _______________________. For fun I like to ___________________________________. My favorite book of the Bible is: _________________________________________. (If you don't have a favorite book of the Bible yet, change it to "My favorite holiday is: ______________________.")
0 likes ⢠3d
@Levi Elarton welcome!
1 like ⢠3d
@Levi Elarton @Russell Mukes 2 guys from Michigan
Aug 28 â˘Â
Drop your favorite bible study tools/commentaries. đ Here are 2 of mine đ
-Logos. Bible study software. They have a free version. Great place to get started and start building resources for study. You can purchase different upgrade packages and/or one time books, commentaries, etc. I use it weekly. -New Bible Commentary edited by Gordon J. Wenham, J Alec Moyer, D.A. Carson and R.T. France and their credentials (this is available in Logos). It's a solid overall commentary (in my opinion). I go to commentaries when I need to get someone way smarter than me's take on a passage.
0 likes ⢠3d
@Russell Mukes gotta check this one out
1 like ⢠3d
@Levi Elarton havenât used it, but looks like a good one. I like that it seems to focus on historical, cultural and social contexts for the passage. Is that true?
14d â˘Â
Qualifications of Church Elders
In the early Church, it was the practice of the early Apostles, like Paul, to appoint church elders in each area where they planted churches. These were the ones who had the responsibility of governing local church affairs and the teaching responsibilities in the church. They couldn't be just anybody in the church. They had to meet certain qualifications that would make them suitable for such a role. 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9 gives us the lists of qualifications for choosing local church elders. "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for Godâs church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:2-7 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1TI.3.2-7 "If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as Godâs steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." Titus 1:6-9 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/TIT.1.6-9 Here I've combined the passages into one list: 1) Above reproach- means they much live a life that their actions would not be called into question.
0 likes ⢠4d
@Russell Mukes my current understanding of a lead/senior pastor is definitely what the NT calls an elder. I was studying this the other day. There is quite a lot of evidence in the NT that each church is meant to be governed by elders (plural). These are those who have governing and teaching responsibilities in the church and must meet the biblical qualifications of elders. A very common outworking of plural eldership is that the senior pastor is one among elders, but has been given the main lead role by the church and the other elders. That would mean most senior pastors we see are sort of like "lead elders". I like the idea of plural eldership because while the pastor has been given the main leadership responsibility, he is still accountable to the other elders and he has help making decisions and leading. While controversial in American culture, I do believe the Bible is clear that woman should not be lead/senior pastors. I would also argue they cannot be an elder (one who has governing and teaching responsibilities over the whole church). I do not think that means women can't be in administrative positions, women's pastors, children's pastors, worship leaders or just about any other role in the church. I believe the Bible only limits the eldership role to men, probably because they are more prone to go to battle and withstand criticism for sound doctrine. That being said, I attended an egalitarian leaning church for 10+ years where they allowed women to preach and be elders, but only under the leadership of the senior pastor. I certainly understand the various positions. I used to believe this was the biblical model. Upon further study, I believe eldership to men only is more faithful to Scripture, while empowering women to serve in any other way in the Church. I think we make mistakes when we go too far in either direction (allowing women into all roles, or limiting them beyond what the Bible does). Hope that makes sense.
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Also, feel free to share your thoughts and questions. Happy to discuss it more.
11d â˘Â
God wants us to pray because ___________________.
Let us know how you would finish the sentence. I'll go first. God wants us to pray because it expresses our faith and trust in Him.
0 likes ⢠11d
@Lane Thompson Love that
0 likes ⢠4d
@Russell Mukes I agree prayer definitely has a communing with God goal. Feel free to share other facets to Lane's point đ
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